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Autumn 2009
IN THIS ISSUE The real Hedge FundAround_the_forums Tips for newcomers Network developments Green monuments Championing local trees Technical update Tell us your news SPECIAL OFFER Treeshelters Tubex Ltd are pleased to offer 10 per cent discount on recommended retail prices for Treeshelters to anyone planting in National Tree Week. Please call 01685 888000 or email plantcare@tubex.com SIGN UP TO RECEIVE THE UPDATE DIRECT A new way for Tree Wardens to receive Tree Warden Update is by signing up to receive it by email direct, automatically. Just follow this link (www.treecouncil.org.uk/ ?q=UpdateSignUp) and complete the simple form. SURVEY OF ACTIVITIES Thank you to everyone who has already taken part in our survey of Tree Warden activities. To give us a better picture of what tree champions are doing around the country, we hope that others can spare the time to print off and fill in the questionnaire (www.treecouncil.org.uk/ Common pests and diseases affecting trees are the subject of a new section of The Tree Warden Handbook entitled What's wrong with my tree?
This new section of the Handbook gives introductory guidance on what the problem might be and what action, if any, might be necessary. It is being sent via local co-ordinators to Tree Wardens in networks run by members of The Tree Council. DIARY DATES Community Action Many Tree Wardens are now gearing up to involve local schools and communities in this winter's National Tree Week. The Tree Council began this annual planting festival way back in 1975. It continues to be a major strand of The Tree Council's Community Action Programme. This provides a really good focus for planting, caring for and enjoying local trees throughout the year. So thanks to all who - like Havant Tree Warden Jamie Brum Read more - seized the opportunities presented by this autumn's Seed Gathering Season. For the whole Community Action Programme we are particularly stressing the importance of trees to a sustainable environment, including as a source of local food and fuel. Dates for the coming months: SOURCES OF FUNDS Parish Hedge Trees The Tree Council still has funding available for individual Tree Wardens working with their parish councils and community groups to plant Parish Hedge Trees. For an application form follow this link (www.treecouncil.org.uk/ Diversity Small Grants Forestry Commission England is offering small grants to not-for-profit bodies - including community groups - that run activities in woodlands for multi-cultural and/or disabled groups/individuals that will benefit their overall health and well being. The aim is to stimulate innovation and encourage more visitors from diverse backgrounds into woodlands. Applications for up to £500 are assessed on a first-come, first-served basis - weekly until mid-March 2010, if funding remains available. (The total available for 2009/10 is £15,000). Email (katie.hafernik@forestry. Planting grants Tree Wardens working with local schools or community groups have until 31 May 2010 to apply for Tree Council grants to plant trees during next year's National Tree Week. The 'Trees for Schools' and 'Community Trees' funds are available for UK schools and community groups planning tree planting projects worth £100 to £700. Successful applicants will receive up to 75 per cent towards planting costs. Find out more on the Tree Council website. It's Your Community Funding for community-based projects is available through the O2 grant programme, It's Your Community. This gives grants of up to £1,000 for community groups to carry out environmental projects. The emphasis is on young people. Find out more (www.itsyourcommunity.co.uk/ RESOURCES Trees for bees Tree Wardens can do their bit to help Britain's declining bee population by planting trees that are particularly useful to pollinating insects. Guidance is available in a leaflet, Trees useful to bees, from The British Beekeepers Association. The leaflet lists a range of trees useful for providing pollen and/or nectar in a variety of habitats, including small and large gardens as well as in the wild. It is available online or from The British Beekeepers Association, The National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh, Warwickshire CV8 2LG. Pancake Wood Challenge This multi-level interactive virtual woodland is available via the RFS’s Discovery Zone (www.rfs.org.uk/learning
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Dear Tree Warden
Thank you very much for the feedback on our pilot issue. We have taken on board as many of your suggestions as possible as this new electronic newsletter continues to evolve. Many thanks, also, to all who have sent us items about local networks and individual Tree Wardens. Please keep sending us your news, ideas and electronic links to share with other Tree Wardens - the success of this newsletter very much depends on you. All local networks have a page on the Tree Council website, so if there is anything you would like to add to your web page, please let us know. The Tree Council is thinking about developing accredited training for Tree Wardens - leading to a qualification. We discussed this with Tree Wardens at regional forums and many expressed interest in doing something more than is on offer at the moment. If you are interested or have suggestions about topics to cover, please contact Margaret (ml@treecouncil.org.uk) so that we can decide whether to take the idea further. It was great to meet lots of Tree Wardens at the forums and we're looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible during 2010 - the 20th anniversary year of our Tree Warden Scheme. All the very best from Margaret Lipscombe, Director, Urban Programmes Sheila Barron The real Hedge Fund Around the forums For more about that event and a glimpse of what's been going on at the other forums, Read more Tips for newcomers If you have tricks of the Tree Warden trade you'd like to share with others, please contact us. Network developments The Tree Council is liaising with local councils in the area covered by the former Forest of Avon to develop three Tree Warden networks, South Gloucestershire, Bristol and North Somerset. South Cambridgeshire Tree Wardens look like boosting their numbers with a new push for recruits across the district. Green monuments In the true tree spirit of The Tree Council's Green Monument Campaign, Tree Wardens are continuing to highlight special local trees in a variety of initiatives. Cotswold is among the latest networks to invite local people to single out special trees for a new inter-parish competition. Championing local trees
Leicestershire Tree Wardens are joining with the county council's archaeology and heritage wardens for a series of networking events. Read more Pembrokeshire Tree Wardens have been identifying old apple varieties with a view to restoring an orchard at St Brides to a truly Welsh one. Read more
Tewkesbury Tree Wardens Ann Smith and Ernie Flounders and a forward-thinking district council have saved an ancient perry pear orchard from future development. Read more
Back in May West Lindsey Tree Warden John Seagrief organised a Walk in the Woods and used the opportunity to measure trees for the Ancient Tree Hunt. Read more Researchers battle triple oak whammy
Or write to Tree Warden Update, The Tree Council, 71 Newcomen Street, London SE1 1YT |
The Tree Council has compiled the booklet in response to many requests from Tree Wardens and co-ordinators and with help from one of its members, the Tree Advice Trust.
We are very sad to report that Sheila Barron, the journalist who wrote The Tree Guardian newsletter throughout its five years, died in September after a short illness. She is very much missed by all who knew her. 
It's the time of year when Tree Wardens traditionally gather for their annual regional forums. In fact, with five down, there's just one more to come - the Northern forum which takes place in 
Amanda Apps now has a couple of years' experience under her belt as a 
Havant
Wakefield
York