AI-driven trial aims to improve urban tree survival
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Avanade Intelligent Garden, Manchester
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2025 show garden at RHS Chelsea
A pioneering project in Manchester is testing whether artificial intelligence can help tackle one of the biggest challenges facing urban tree planting: keeping trees alive long enough to deliver their environmental benefits.
The Avanade Intelligent Garden, which opened this month as part of an extension to Mayfield Park, combines sensor technology and AI analysis to monitor the health of newly planted trees in real time. Seven of the garden’s 19 trees are fitted with sensors that collect data on growing conditions, enabling an AI system to identify early signs of drought, disease or stress.
The project responds to a significant challenge for urban greening schemes. According to figures cited by the project team, up to half of trees planted in UK towns and cities fail within 10 years, with around 30% not surviving their first year. While governments and local authorities continue to invest in urban tree planting, long-term success depends on effective establishment and management.
‘Tree Talk’ system
Developed by technology company Avanade, the ‘Tree Talk’ system allows park managers to access data-driven insights into individual tree health and requirements. The technology is designed to support horticultural decision-making, helping maintenance teams intervene before problems become critical.
The garden was originally created by designer Tom Massey and Studio Weave for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2025 before being relocated and adapted for its permanent home in Manchester by Studio Egret West.
Project partners believe the trial could offer valuable lessons for the future management of urban forests, particularly as cities face rising temperatures and increasing pressure to improve climate resilience. At Mayfield Park, thermal surveys conducted during summer heatwaves recorded temperatures of 22.5°C beneath tree canopies compared with 51.4°C on exposed paving, underlining the value of healthy urban tree cover.
Over the coming months, the trees will be monitored as they establish in their new environment. The results could help determine whether AI-enabled monitoring can improve survival rates and provide a practical tool for managing urban trees at scale.