Tree Wardens are volunteers part of the Tree Warden Scheme. This is a national programme from The Tree Council. Its goal is to protect and enhance local trees and woods.
Tree Wardens are important for:
- gathering information about local trees
- tree-related issues that arise
- practical tree-related projects.
Become a Tree Warden
Download The Tree Council's Tree Warden Scheme leaflet for more information.
Contact your parish council to become a volunteer Tree Warden.
Tree Wardens don't have a set job description. What they do depends on their time, interests and strengths. These are some of the activities a Tree Warden can do.
Cherish:
- lead a tree and hedgerow trail
- contribute to the Ancient Tree Hunt, Ancient Yew Group, The Great British Elm Search or The Tree Register
- promote the National Tree Charter, the Tree Care Campaign, Walk in the Woods, Seed Gathering Season, and National Tree Week
- organise an oak apple day, Hanami (cherry blossom viewing) or apple day
- collect local history and stories relating to orchards, wood crafts, trees and woodlands
- collect 'spare' fruits and make food or drink products
- teach others basic tree identification
- create tree or hedgerow art, music, crafts or writing
- photography or art competition
Maintain:
- monitor Ash Dieback and other pests and diseases
- tree surveys
- simple pruning
- water newly planted trees, check ties and maintain mulch circles
- calculate a villages tree canopy cover
- spread information and news about trees to other residents
- identify 'important hedgerows' in the parish due to their age, history, or habitats they provide
- monitor and record endangered species such as bats, butterflies, lichens, beetles, mosses, hedgerow herbs for Open Air Laboratories or Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Environmental Records Centre
Enhance:
- plant hedgerows, trees, orchards, forest gardens, micro-woods and woods
- apply for grants
- organise tree planting parties
- comment on planning applications
- grow and supply trees
- promote local wood crafts
- grow new fruit trees or cut back old ones
- create a parish tree strategy.