This Research Report illustrates the change in provision of four ecosystem services (carbon storage, carbon sequestration, avoided storm water run-off and air pollution removal) through the life stages of large stature trees common to towns and cities in Great Britain. Provision of ecosystem services was calculated using the i-Tree Eco model. Field data for 3259 urban trees sampled in Great Britain from 10 i-Tree Eco surveys was used in conjunction with simulated trees where field data were not available. Aggregating the results according to an age classification approach for the 12 tree species (common ash, common beech, English elm, holm oak, Leyland cypress, lime spp., London plane, Norway maple, oak spp., Scots pine, sycamore and wych elm) demonstrated both a change in ecosystem services provision over the lifespan of these tree species and a relative difference between tree species. The results indicate that young trees (with a trunk diameter of <15 cm) of all species provide low amounts of ecosystem services. Ecosystem services provision increased as the trees matured, most notably between the semi-mature and mature age classifications. The results demonstrate the importance of allowing large stature trees to attain maturity in order to maximise ecosystem service provision in the urban environment Keywords: urban trees; benefits of trees; urban forest; green infrastructure; ecosystem services
