Living moss inside filters particulate matter and produces oxygen



The City Tree in Putney town centre

A new ‘tree’ has been installed on Putney High Street near its junction with Putney Bridge Road as part of a major ongoing improvement project.

The City Tree filters particulate matter and fine dust out of the surrounding air, whilst simultaneously producing oxygen. It filters the breathing air of up to 7,000 people an hour.

Inside there are eight large panels made of living moss, supported by intelligent ventilation and irrigation systems. Moss has lots of fine hairs, resulting in a large surface area which attracts particulate matter, removing ultra-fine particles from the air. The moss then metabolizes the particles - meaning it actually "eats" them.

It is the result of five years of research and development by Green City Solutions based in Germany.

Other work carried out as part of the project includes the installation of parklets, widening and repaving pavements, upgrading streetlights, lighting up St Mary’s Church and Putney Bridge, removing street clutter such as railings and installing more parking for bikes.

Cabinet member for finance, corporate resources and climate sustainability, Cllr Rory O’Broin, said: “I’m delighted that this cutting-edge City Tree technology has come to Putney. We will monitor its effectiveness in absorbing air pollution on the High Street as part of our ongoing commitment to tackling climate change.”


December 8, 2020