Tree Warden

The Tree Council's Tree Warden Scheme

The Tree Warden Scheme is a national initiative to enable people to play an active role in conserving and enhancing their local trees and woods. The scheme was founded by the Tree Council and is co-ordinated by the Council in partnership with National Grid, which has a well-established policy of community involvement and environmental care.

Tree Wardens are volunteers, appointed by parish councils or other community organisations, who gather information about their local trees, get involved in local tree matters and encourage local practical projects to do with trees and woods.

Since the Scheme's launch in September 1990, the Tree Council has been working closely with Local Authorities to set up Tree Warden Networks throughout the UK. By the end of 2000, there were over 7,000 Tree Wardens.

Why are Tree Wardens 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, BTCV (British Trust for Conservation Volunteers) and BTCV Scotland. 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 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

A list of Networks in operation or close to establishment is here. 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

Phone: +44 (020) 7407 9992

website: http://www.treecouncil.org.uk/