New section for Tree Warden Handbook
Street trees are the topic of the latest section of the Tree Warden Handbook.
It is designed to help Tree Wardens who want to be pro-active in getting more street trees planted – whether along residential roads or major highways – as this involves procedures that aren’t normally required when planting elsewhere.
The booklet outlines what’s involved and the step-by-step approach that is required: whom to contact and what to consider.
This new section, Paving the way for street tree planting, will be available free to Tree Wardens who are part of local networks run by members of The Tree Council.
• The new section will be available soon. Contact your network co-ordinator if you would like a copy to add to your handbook.
Guide for community orchards
A simple 'how to' guide for communities wanting to conserve a community orchard or get together to start and manage one has been published by Communities and Local Government.
It is designed to help make the most of local space for this purpose. It includes case studies to illustrate what is already being achieved and provide inspiration.
• The guide is only available online at www.communities.gov.uk/publications/communities/orchardshowto
On-line tree species reference library
A one-stop tree species reference library, bringing together all aspects of trees and their value to society, is now available online.
Created by Tree Council member the Royal Forestry Society with Reader’s Digest, the A-Z resource teams illustrations and photographs with comprehensive information on species characteristics, distribution, management and value to humans and wildlife.
The site (www.rfs.org.uk/learning) is free to use, with trees listed alphabetically by their common name. Phase One – native trees - is available now, with Phase Two – naturalised and exotic trees – to be added in the near future.
Woodland Carbon Code
A new code gives much-needed guidelines on what is expected from schemes that plant trees in order to capture carbon.
The Forestry Commission, which launched the voluntary standard this summer, said that the Woodland Carbon Code “provides a consistent national approach as well as clarity and transparency to potential investors about just what their money should buy them”.
Defra also issued new government guidance on how organisations should report greenhouse gas removals and emissions from UK woodland planting where a project meets the requirements of the code.
Previously there were neither standards against which to measure carbon capture claims, nor a mechanism to report the reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
To comply with the code, woodland projects must be responsibly and sustainably managed to national standards, use set methods for estimating the carbon that will be captured, be independently certified, and meet transparent criteria and standards. Project providers must register with the Forestry Commission and, once approved, projects will appear in a national, on-line register.
• More information on the Woodland Carbon Code is available at www.forestry.gov.uk/carboncode. Guidance on measuring and reporting greenhouse gas emissions and removals is available at www.defra.gov.uk/environment/economy/business-efficiency/reporting/.
Books for Christmas
Trees of Britain and Ireland by Edward Milner (ISBN 978-0-56509-295-5). Hardback, £20. Published by Natural History Museum, in association with The Tree Council.
A treasure-trove of tree facts and photographs, this book is a sumptuous celebration of the trees of these islands. Illustrated with 200 stunning colour photographs, it provides a compelling guide to the native trees found in Britain and Ireland, with portraits of all the major native species, their history and ecology, and our relationship with them.
SPECIAL OFFER: £15 including free p & p on all deliveries to the UK.
Phone Bookpoint Ltd on 01235 827702 or email
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, quoting NHM/TREES when placing your order. View sample pages online at www.nhm.ac.uk/publishing.
Britain’s Tree Story by Julian Hight (ISBN 978-1-90789-220-2). Hardback, £20. Published by National Trust Books.
A celebration of Britain’s oldest, largest and most famous trees told through legend, literature and folklore. The book showcases some of the most distinctive and impressive examples of ancient oaks, elms, yews, beeches and many more. It includes a directory of where to see ancient trees, many of which can be found at National Trust properties.
Bark. An Intimate Look at The World’s Trees by Cedric Pollet (ISBN 978-0-71123-137-5) Hardback, £30. Published by Frances Lincoln Limited.
Beautiful photographs combined with highly informative text make this a book that will delight and inspire any nature lover. Here are the most spectacular, striking and remarkable examples of bark found across five continents. Each photograph is accompanied by information about the tree’s origins and uses.
The Art Of Creative Pruning by Jake Hobson (ISBN13: 978-1-60469-114-6) Hardback, £25. Published by Timber Press.
This book takes a comprehensive look at how trees and shrubs can be pruned, with examples from around the world. It covers everything from traditional yew topiary to freeform naturalistic pruning and looks at the wider landscape context. Illustrated with lots of spectacular photographs taken in some of the world’s most inventive gardens and with informative text, this is a book for anyone who has ever been tempted to reach for the pruning shears.
Home Ground: Sanctuary in the City by Dan Pearson (ISBN 978-1-84091-537-2) Hardback, £28. Published by Conran Octopus.
This is a beautifully written account of the development of garden designer Dan Pearson’s London garden. It also includes lots of practical information and advice born from hands-on experience that will be useful to anyone starting a garden from scratch. The book is illustrated with photographs taken over the course of the garden’s development that show the changing seasons.
