Tree Wardens
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. We are the coordinators for South Cambridgeshire and deliver training and updates for parish councils.
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.