Why Tree Wardens are needed
Trees are a precious part of our natural heritage and we need to take action now if future generations are to enjoy the beauty and variety of our landscapes. To be most effective, this action should be taken by people on the spot; the people who know their own localities intimately and who have most to gain from the protection and enhancement of their immediate environment.

How the Tree Warden Scheme works
Tree Wardens need not be tree experts, only enthusiasts, as a series of one-day training courses are run in participating areas in conjunction with Local Authorities, Community Forests and BTCV (British Trust for Conservation Volunteers). These courses cover topics such as surveying woodland and non-woodland trees, summer and winter tree identification, tree planting and aftercare, woodland ecology and management, seed collection and tree law. Wardens are supported in their work by their parish council or community group, which in turn will look to the Local Authority for help in matters which are beyond its resources.

The Tree Warden's Role
Tree Wardens work closely with their local community, and with local farmers and landowners. Among the tasks they become involved in are:

• Gathering information and doing surveys of their local trees, so as to develop ideas for projects, discover where practical help and advice is needed, and become aware of threats to trees that may need bringing to the attention of the local authority.
• Local community liaison - a key element in the Tree Warden's role. Tree Wardens may be asked questions on what species to plant, how to deal with a damaged tree, and how to obtain grant aid for planting. Wardens will not necessarily have all the answers, but they will soon learn where to find them.
• Protecting Trees - trees and woods need protection, and local people can often see what needs to be done before council officials. Tree Wardens have a vital role to play here, by informing the local council of threats to trees, and so helping to ensure compliance with tree preservation orders and planning consents. They can also keep their eyes open for vandalism to newly planted trees, and look out for trees showing signs of disease, or becoming dangerous through decay.
• Organising, or encouraging others to organise, practical projects such as tree planting or woodland management. Community involvement is one of the main aims of the National Grid Tree Warden Scheme. Wardens work with schools to create conservation areas, organise guided tree walks, give talks to local groups, help farmers to lay hedges, encourage local environmental improvement projects, plan tree planting projects for National Tree Week and so on. Involving children and youth groups also helps to control vandalism.

How to become a Tree Warden
Tree Warden Networks are listed on the Tree Council's website, with names of local contacts. The list is also available from the Tree Council. If there is no Network in your area, you may like to get in touch with the tree officer in your Local Authority (probably in the planning department) to discuss the possibility of starting one.

For more details contact:
The Tree Council, 71 Newcomen Street, London SE1 1YT
Telephone: 020 7407 9992
Fax: 020 7407 9908
or visit their website: www.treecouncil.org.uk
For the Edinburgh area contact: Max Coleman, Telephone: 0131 469 3677

The Tree Council
The Tree Council, the lead UK tree campaigning charity, promotes the planting and conservation of trees. Through its 150 member organisations, Tree Wardens and other partners, the Tree Council works towards:

• Making trees matter to everyone
• More trees, of the right kind, in the right places
• Better care for all trees, of all ages
• Inspiring effective action for trees

WORKING TOGETHER FOR TREES
The Tree Council promotes the planting and conservation of trees in town and countryside. The lead UK tree campaigning partnership, it is an umbrella body for over 150 organisations working together for trees. It is also a forum for tackling issues relating to trees and woods. Members range from professional, non-governmental, specialist and trade organisations, including other conservation charities, to local authorities and government bodies.

PARTNERSHIPS
This wide membership equips the Tree Council to foster partnerships between individuals, groups, landowners, corporate interests and local councils. As an independent charity, the Tree Council is able to put forward balanced views to central and local government, industry, and other organisations.

ROOTS
The Tree Council grew out of 1973’s National Tree Year, with its slogan of Plant a Tree in ’73. Founded the following year with government support, the Tree Council organised its first National Tree Week in 1975 and became a registered charity in 1978. 

THE TREE COUNCIL AT WORK
The aim of all our work is to help individuals and organisations to plant, care for and enjoy trees.

Annual Campaigns
To raise awareness of the importance of trees and to encourage planting and good management, we organise a range of annual campaigns. The Tree Council infoline (020 7940 8180) and website carry information about events organised by our members, Tree Wardens and others to support the following campaigns.

National Tree Week Each year about a million trees are planted as a result of the Tree Council’s National Tree Week. The UK’s largest tree celebration, it marks the start of the winter planting season. Voluntary organisations, local authorities, schools, our Tree Wardens and others, support the week with events such as tree plantings, walks and talks. In 2000, a Guinness World Record was set for planting by hand — 107,781 trees over three days.

Walk in the Woods The Tree Council founded this annual May festival to encourage people to enjoy trees in woods and parks when they are particularly attractive. Woodland owners, private and public, organise walks and other events throughout the month.

Tree Love Care - The Trees Love Care Campaign focuses on the importance of a few minutes of timely care for recently planted trees. Every year thousands die from lack of it — as many as nine out of 10 in urban areas. A free advice leaflet is available.

Seed Gathering Sunday The Tree Council has designated the second Sunday in October as Seed Gathering Sunday — an opportunity for people to collect seeds, fruits and nuts and grow the trees of the future. The Good Seed Guide (£3.50), gives inspiration and advice.

Grants for Tree Planting
The Tree Council awards tree planting grants to schools and community groups, particularly for schemes involving children. Applications for grants, which are allocated in the autumn, should be made by 31st May.

Information Service
The Tree Council offers a range of informative publications and their website has been described by The Times as ‘bursting with facts and figures about trees’. They also answer enquiries from the public, sometimes directing them to member organisations for specialist help. Tree News Magazine

Tree News, the Tree Council’s magazine, covers news and views from the tree world and features stunning colour photographs. To subscribe, contact Tree News Subscriptions, FREEPOST, WD7, BRISTOL BS32 0ZZ, Tel: 0845 126 039.