https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/…/free-tree-collection-at…
Please note there is no need to book, you can just turn up, but if you do book we will have a better idea of numbers. Pop along between 1-4pm.
Our first Free Tree Giveaway event will be taking place this week!
You can find us at Gyle Shopping Centre on Friday 3rd November and Saturday 4th November! Just drop-in at anytime between 10am – 2pm to pick your free garden tree.
Are you dreaming of a green Christmas? If so, you’re not alone.
With the cost-of-living crisis biting, a simpler, more environmentally friendly festive celebration is top of many people’s Christmas list this year – with fresh air and free fun on the cards instead of expensive gifts, excess and waste.
With that in mind, the Woodland Trust, the UK’s largest woodland conservation charity, has come up with a guide to its best woods for a glorious – and completely free – winter walk for all the family to enjoy.
The Woodland Trust has more than 1,000 woods which are free to visit and open every day – so you’re spoilt for choice. Even Santa and his reindeer would struggle to get round them all!
This Christmas is a perfect time to embrace the simpler things in life, whether that’s time spent with friends and loved ones, enjoying nature’s magnificent scenery or just getting outdoors and enjoying some fresh air.
Woodland Trust site manager James Jesson said: “If you’d rather not spend the entire festive season overindulging, head out for a woodland adventure. Our woods are real winter wonderlands – so whether it’s a crisp, frosty morning or a damp soggy afternoon, it’s great to pull on your boots and thermals or waterproofs and head out for an invigorating stroll.
“Winter woods take on a whole new character. Spectacular, frosty landscapes and bare branches expose elusive wildlife and hidden history. The fact they are all free to visit is just the icing on the Christmas cake!”.
Woodland Trust sites are open all year round so come prepared for nature in its natural state, unmissable views, clean air and birdsong. And by following the woodland paths, you won’t disturb the winter wildlife and will allow nature to thrive in its woodland surroundings.
You can locate your nearest free woodland escape easily – just enter your postcode at woodlandtrust.org.uk/findawood or take a look at the Trust’s pick of the best winter walks from around the UK.
CENTRAL
Archers Wood – Cambridgeshire
An ancient woodland haven nestling in an agricultural landscape, Archers is a real oasis for nature. Wander among majestic oak and field maple trees and watch carefully for a shy fox or deer in the distance.
Archers Wood – Visiting Woods – Woodland Trust
Londonthorpe Wood – Lincolnshire
Just a stone’s throw from historic Belton House and neighbouring a wild deer sanctuary, Londonthorpe is perfect for a winter stroll. There are new all-weather paths and there’s a mix of old and new woodland to explore.
Londonthorpe Wood – Visiting Woods – Woodland Trust
Tring Park – Hertfordshire
A 10-minute stroll from Tring’s famous Natural History Museum, there are lots of hidden treasures to find at Tring Park. Climb the hill for amazing views of Hertfordshire and the Chilterns.
Tring Park – Visiting Woods – Woodland Trust
NORTH
Low Burnhall – Durham
An important haven for people and wildlife on the outskirts of Durham, Low Burnhall is a real beauty. Look out for signs of otters in the rivers which border the site and you might also spy owls, kestrels and sparrowhawks. Waymarked trails lead you past some interesting features – including a sculpture of a miner in a nod to the wood’s historic coal mine.
Low Burnhall – Visiting Woods – Woodland Trust
Hackfall – Grewelthorpe, North Yorkshire
Set in a 350ft gorge along the River Ure on the edge of the village of Grewelthorpe this fragile ancient woodland habitat has been restored since the Woodland Trust took over. Stroll along footpaths and woodland walks and spot grottos and glades, temples and waterfalls as well as kingfisher, dipper and grey wagtail.
Hackfall – Visiting Woods – Woodland Trust
Smithills Estate – Bolton, Lancashire
The Woodland Trust’s largest site is steeped in history and shadowed by the famous Winter Hill TV mast, with panoramic views across to Bolton and Manchester. You’ll really be able to stretch your legs here in its vast expanses of moorland, patches of woodland and peat bog. Keep your eyes peeled for the elusive brown hare on the horizon.
Smithhills Estate – Visiting Woods – Woodland Trust
SOUTH EAST
Hainault Forest – London
Herds of majestic red deer roam this ancient hunting forest, which once provided venison for the King’s table, and it’s just 15 miles from central London. With 158 species of bird recorded, it’s a bird-lover’s dream.
Hainault Forest – Visiting Woods – Woodland Trust
Home Farm – Hampshire
Eight miles of pathway through this mosaic of old and new woodland habitats will tire out the most energetic Boxing Day walker. Look up and see if you can spot a red kite or a kestrel wheeling overhead.
Home Farm – Visiting Woods – Woodland Trust
Hucking Estate – Kent
Perfect for wintry family adventures, Hucking serves up breathtaking views of the Kent Downs, ancient woodland to explore and swathes of open grassland where the kids can run off steam. It’s a must-visit in the South East – with a handy pub nearby for warming chilly toes.
Hucking Estate – Visiting Woods – Woodland Trust
SOUTH WEST
Avon Valley Woods, Devon
A hidden treasure in the rolling hills of South Hams, the Avon Valley Woods cluster along the valley side. Winter is a great time to spot a whole range of finches, blue tits and long tailed and great tits that tend to flock in large groups at this time of year. While the riverside walk can be muddy, the extensive path network at the top of the site offers grassy tracks and views across Devon.
Avon Valley Woods – Visiting Woods – Woodland Trust
Credenhill Park Credenhill, Herefordshire
Credenhill Park Wood is a local landmark on an imposing wooded hill, topped by one of the largest Iron Age Hill forts in England and thought to have once been an Iron Age tribal capital.
The walk to the top, where you can revel in views to Wales, is well worth it and when trees are bare, you’re more likely to spot woodpeckers tapping the trees.
Credenhill Park Wood – Visiting Woods – Woodland Trust
Lineover Wood – Gloucestershire
A patchwork of ancient woodland, recent planting and limestone grassland creates a diverse haven for wildlife where rare plants and fungi flourish. The wood lies within the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and offers breathtaking views across Cheltenham and the Malvern Hills.
Lineover Wood – Visiting Woods – Woodland Trust
NORTHERN IRELAND
Carnmoney Hill
With awe-inspiring views of Belfast and the coast, Carnmoney Hill is a must visit. Steeped in history and folklore with a mix of ancient woodland, grassland and wetland, it is home to a wealth of wildlife and has a wide range of walks to suit all abilities. With easy access from the city and plenty of interest for history buffs, Carnmoney Hill is a great destination for a day out.
Carnmoney Hill – Visiting Woods – Woodland Trust
SCOTLAND
Crinan Wood, Argyll and Bute, Scotland
With sweeping vistas across Loch Crinan to Duntrune Castle and the Argyll coastline, there are few woods with a more breathtaking outlook than Crinan Wood. This ancient Atlantic oakwood is a wonderful example of Scotland’s rare and special rainforest and is brimming with wildlife, including the iconic red squirrel. It’s definitely one of our must-see gems.
Woods – Visiting Woods – Woodland Trust
WALES
Wentwood Forest
Once part of the hunting grounds of Chepstow Castle, Wentwood offers walks with breathtaking views over the Severn Estuary. Its diversity of habitats means it is home to some wonderful wildlife. Make sure to visit the ancient Curley Oak while you’re there!
A defiant lone hawthorn guarding the Scottish coastline is the winner of the Woodland Trust’s Tree of The Year for 2021.
The tree at Kippford, Dalbeattie in Dumfries & Galloway is a fine example of a native, mature tree and while not spectacular in size, it cuts a striking presence as the only tree on the windswept cockle shell beach.
Now in its seventh year, the Woodland Trust’s Tree of The Year contest highlights the UK’s favourite trees to help show their value and need for protection.
The hawthorn took 38% of the vote, finishing above a Monterey cypress tree planted on a beach in Saundersfoot, Pembrokeshire, Wales (19%) that was saved from felling this year after a passionate public campaign.
In third place with 13% was an exceptional parasol beech in Parkanaur Forest Park, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland – a rare specimen with knotted branches growing randomly back towards the ground.
The competition was held across social media, with a shortlist of 10 finalists selected from hundreds of nominations across The Woodland Trust’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts using #TreeoftheWeek
Tree surgeon Drew Patterson, who nominated the winning hawthorn, was thrilled to see such a “beautiful specimen” take the coveted prize. “I love this tree, it’s amazing,” said Drew, 57, whose father, grandfather and great grandfather all came from Dalbeattie.
“It is a superb hawthorn and it’s incredible it has survived this well having been climbed on, battered by the winds and even bumped into by cars turning.
“It’s in a wild place and has been blown over at an angle, but it is still standing strong and proud on the edge of the beach.
“It has been there as long as I can remember and I have so many fond memories going back through the generations. I have pictures of my grandfather and mum in front of the tree.
“It is at least 60 years and could be as many as 100. Seeing the tree win this award is special.”
Adam Cormack, Head of Campaigning for the Woodland Trust, said the tree which is also known as the ‘Kippford Leaning Tree’ is a worthy winner.
He said: “We’ve had winners of all shapes and sizes in previous years and this is a tree that stands out for different reasons, notably because of its striking presence in an unusual setting.
“It is also a special tree for Drew because of the family significance, which highlights the importance individual trees can have. Lots of trees are equally meaningful to someone, providing a connection and treasured memories.”
The winning hawthorn tree will now go on to represent the UK in the European Tree of the Year 2022 contest.
The Woodland Trust’s Tree of The Year competition aims to highlight how vital trees are for our landscapes and our lives. Trees are essential in the fight against the climate and nature crisis we are facing, yet many of the UK’s oldest and most valuable trees have no form of legal protection.
A monster chestnut tree more than 600 years old, a hornbeam known as the ‘Teapot Tree’ that oozes character and a sycamore saved from the chop are just three of the trees in the running to be crowned the Woodland Trust’s Tree of the Year for 2021.
The list for the coveted UK-wide prize has been whittled down to just 10 from this year’s weekly winners and voting is now open to the public, who will decide which tree will be named champion.
The shortlist of 10 was selected from hundreds of nominations across our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram social media accounts using #TreeoftheWeek
Now in its seventh year, the Woodland Trust’s Tree of The Year contest highlights the UK’s favourite trees to help show their value and need for protection.
Adam Cormack, Head of Campaigning for the Woodland Trust, said: “Tree of The Year is “a reminder of the natural connection that we have with trees.
“It’s all about that ‘wow’ moment that people get when they see a tree they appreciate,” he added. “This could be standing under a magnificent old oak or noticing the autumn colours of a street tree on the school run.
“This connection is something that children and adults share. Trees can make us happy, healthy, thoughtful – or upset when they are lost from our lives. The nominations we receive for Tree of the Year on social media are a window into the way we experience trees and the richness they bring to our lives.
“But Tree of The Year has a serious message. Many of our oldest and most special trees in the UK have no form of legal protection. It’s time that our oldest trees got the same protection as our oldest buildings. Our built heritage and our natural heritage are both important and both worthy of protection. After all, once they’re gone ancient trees can never be replaced like for like.”
The contest takes place across the UK and nominations for 2021 were decided via social media for the first time.
Last year’s winner in England was a plane tree in Hackney known as the Happy Man Tree, but unfortunately even widespread fame could not earn the Happy Man a happy ending in its title-winning year as it was felled shortly after because of redevelopment.
This year a couple of trees that have been saved from the chop make the list – and there are plenty of interesting stories to be told.
“There is a good smattering of different types of trees,” Adam Cormack continued. “Some have conservation stories, some have historical significance and others that are just awesome and eye-catching.
“The change to voting on social media taps into the instant opportunity to share the love of some of these wonderful trees.
“Trees deserve to take centre stage. Tree of the Year is a simple way to show our love of trees at a time when trees are so vital to fight the climate and nature crisis.
“Please do get voting!”
Voting closes at noon on 13 December with further glory awaiting the winner, which will represent the UK in the European Tree of the Year 2022 contest.
The nominations
This magnificent beech is a prime example of a mature tree within a woodland – a key feature of woods in good ecological condition. It has spectacular, exposed roots that are covered in moss and gnarled bark full of character and weathered over time.
A lonesome but fiercely proud hawthorn still managing to guard the coastline despite being battered by the elements is a fine example of a mature tree. And while not spectacular in size it cuts a striking presence in an unusual setting and is equally as important as more imposing specimens.
An iconic Monterey Cypress tree planted on the beach in 1938 and precariously clinging on to what precious little soil is left. Known locally as “Saundersfoot’s Eiffel Tower”, it was saved from felling this year after a passionate public campaign.
A tree that is almost certainly a descendant of the Ettrick Forest sitting in majestic surroundings within a churchyard. Steeped in history and cultural value, this delightful ash tree is a defiant reminder of the need to deal with the threat of exotic tree diseases like ash dieback.
The Teapot Tree beautifully describes this stunningly simple hornbeam’s posture, while its bark is truly eye-catching and so full of personality. It’s a wonderful example of a veteran tree that benefits from basic conservation measures – a simple fence made from sustainable materials to keep it protected in a highly visited area.
A famous much-celebrated “monster” of a sweet chestnut tree. It is over 600 years old and as well as its remarkable stature and imposing branches, its twisting trunk make it a sight to behold.
An exceptional curly beech with rare features, this tree captivated the judges. Unusually low in appearance for its species, the knotted branches grow randomly back towards the ground to add further charm.
Not the mightiest oak but bundles of personality and a perfect example of how oaks can host other species such as moss and ivy cascading from its trunk and branches. These coexist and do no damage to its ecosystem. This oak looks simply splendid captured in all its autumn glory.
A gargantuan tree with a girth of more than 11 metres in a very different setting. The sheer size and wow factor makes it a standout entry.
A much-loved mature sycamore saved by the community in Newark, who stopped the chop for a car park. All the hard campaigning shows the power of peaceful protests – and thankfully this glorious specimen will continue to be part of the community for years to come.
Edinburgh has officially launched its ambitious target to become a Million Tree City by 2030 as part of its commitment to be net zero by the end of the decade.
Lord Provost Frank Ross was joined by representatives of the Edinburgh Million Tree Forum on Wednesday to plant a gingko tree in the grounds of Lauriston Castle as they pledged their commitment to making sure Edinburgh will be home to one million trees by the end of this decade. Edinburgh will join counterparts all over the world in becoming a Million Tree City.
The Edinburgh Million Tree Forum is made up of representatives from relevant Council services, the Edinburgh and Lothians Greenspace Trust, the Woodland Trust, the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Trees of Edinburgh, the Scottish Wildlife Trust, the Trust for Conservation Volunteers and the Edinburgh Living Landscape Initiative who are all working together on an updated vision for trees in Edinburgh and find ways of planting more trees, more quickly.
Following the planting of the gingko tree, the group were then taken on a tour of the grounds by volunteers from the Friends of Lauriston Castle where two more trees were planted.
Edinburgh already outstrips other Scottish cities by having more trees per head of population – there are currently more than 730,000 urban trees, compared to around 519,000 residents.
The move to increase the number of trees in the city will help Edinburgh lessen the impacts of climate change by providing cooling in heatwaves, surface water management for heavy rainfall as well as some carbon storage and a home for wildlife.
The city council is working with Edinburgh and Lothians Greenspace Trust and Woodland Trust to deliver this ambitious target for the city.
Woodland Trust has contributed a grant of £298,055 from its Emergency Tree Fund to support project delivery. This money will support project management and kick-start tree planting, fundraising, public engagement and volunteer activity between 2021 and 2023.
Before planting the tree, Edinburgh’s Lord Provost Frank Ross said: “We may have more trees in our city than people but to get to our city’s 2030 net zero target, we must plant more.
“Climate change will impact on all of us, and we all need to play our part to mitigate the effects. A key aspect of the proposed Climate Strategy is for us all to build upon our previous efforts, and Edinburgh Million Tree City Project, offers us all the opportunity to do just this.
“This is not a project for the Council, it is a project for our city, our communities, and for us as citizens, with a shared ambition for Edinburgh to have at least one million trees by 2030.
“While 75% of our trees are privately managed, we have a shared responsibility to manage our trees well, and to act when they get damaged or require treatment or replacement. I’m delighted to plant this gingko today and I am keen that this young tree symbolises, like a barometer, the growth of the project.
“Each inch demonstrates how our stakeholders and communities are coming together to plant more trees, delivering the millionth tree or more.”
Culture and Communities Convener Donald Wilson said: “We’re very proud that Edinburgh is already one of the UK’s greenest cities, with more trees than people, more green space and more green flag parks than any other place in Scotland for people to enjoy. But we want to do even better, especially as we strive towards our hugely ambitious target of making the city net zero by 2030.
“It’s impossible to overstate the benefits trees bring to the urban landscape. They help clean our air, reduce the risk of flooding, keep us cool in the summer and warmer in winter and give the wildlife in our city a home, as well as making neighbourhoods look and feel tranquil and appealing. They are essential to the wellbeing of our citizens.
“We estimate that Edinburgh needs around 250,000 more trees to be planted in the next 10 years on a both public and private land and I’m excited that our project has now officially launched and look forward to working with partners and citizens as we go forward. As the project continues we’ll be reaching out to residents and advising on ways they can help help and get involved.”
Culture and Communities Vice Convener Amy McNeese-Mechan said: “By joining other global cities such as New York and Shanghai, as a Million Tree City we’ll be able to reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to lessen the impact of climate change and help Edinburgh take climate action and make the city an even greener place to leave for future generations.
“Our dedicated Parks, Greenspace and Cemeteries service is leading a project to increase tree cover to help Edinburgh fulfil its Climate Emergency commitments and become a Million Tree City by 2030.
“It is an ambitious target but it is an achievable one and we’ll reach it if we continue to work together with our partners and citizens. Whether you live in the city, own land or property, if you are a business, charity or a school, or if you just love Edinburgh and want to see it flourish for future generations, we can all do our bit and I look forward to the project progressing.
Tim Hall, Head of Estates and Programmes with Woodland Trust Scotland said: “We launched our Emergency Tree Fund to support local authorities planting new urban trees needed to help tackle the climate and nature crises.
“I am delighted we are backing this ambitious bid to make Edinburgh a Million Tree City, which will bring huge benefits to people and wildlife.”
Charlie Cumming, the Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust Chief Executive said: “ELGT are delighted to be working in partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council and the Woodland Trust to deliver such an ambitious and worthwhile tree planting project over the next 10 years.
“The benefits of this increase in tree planting will not only address the effects of climate change but will also encourage community participation with the residents of Edinburgh and will benefit people’s health and wellbeing.
“With so much focus this month on COP26 we appreciate that we need to start making an impact now; with more tree planting we will be able to improve our neighbourhoods and streetscapes and have a long lasting impact on our local environments.”
Two further community tree planting events took take place this week organised by partners.
School pupils helped Edinburgh & Lothian Greenspaces Trust to plant a “Wee Forest” of 600 whip trees in West Pilton Park funded by Nature Scotland yesterday and a further 400 whip trees were planted in Redwood Park in Colinton Mains by The Conservation Volunteers, organised and funded by the Council.
More details will be released about how citizens can get involved in the coming months or the team can be contacted via email.
With clear evidence that we must act now to protect, create and restore UK woods and trees, the Woodland Trust is inviting applications for research projects that will address its priority areas within the next two years.
The 2021 Spring Research Grant Call will award funding of £5,000 – £20,000 for projects that align to the Trust’s recently published State of the UK’s Woods and Trees report. The report highlighted a barrage of compounding threats that pose catastrophic consequences for the country’s woods and trees.
Woodland Trust head of conservation outcomes and evidence Dr Hazel Jackson said: “Scientific evidence underpins all the Woodland Trust’s conservation activities. We are constantly looking for effective, credible solutions to deal with the challenges facing trees and woods in the UK.
“The warning signs in our recent State of the UK’s Woods and Trees report are loud and clear. If we don’t tackle the threats facing our woods and trees, we will severely damage the UK’s ability to address the climate and nature crises. Our wildlife havens are suffering, and we are storing up problems for future generations.
“Knowledge is the key to ensuring we can engage people and inspire support, as well as develop and advocate strong, effective conservation techniques and we hope to see a range of strong applications to further enhance the evidence that feeds directly into our practice as well as our policy.”
The Trust particularly encourages applications from minority groups and early career researchers to increase the diversity of scientists in the conservation sector so they can gain experience in leading applied research projects and working with a practitioner non-government organisation.
Woodland extent, condition, and wildlife value
Projects are expected to illustrate how new and existing methodologies can be used to monitor the wildlife value of UK trees and woods and assess ecological condition. We are particularly interested in gaining new insights into the extent, condition, and wildlife value of ancient woodland, trees outside of woods, wood pasture and parkland, ancient and veteran trees, urban trees and community woodlands.
Benefits for people
Woods and trees benefit people in a whole host of ways including flood risk management, pollination, carbon sequestration and storage, recreation, public health and the cultural, spiritual and intrinsic values we place on them. Proposals examining how these benefits can be promoted at the site and landscape scale and the relative trade-offs when different objectives are prioritised, are encouraged under this theme.
Threats and drivers of change
Proposals under this theme should aim to inform protection of new and existing woods and trees from the huge array of threats, enhancing resilience and ecological integrity at site and landscape scale.
Restoration, creation and management
This theme aims to improve and refine practical conservation delivery by focusing on the development of novel, efficient and cost-effective approaches. Research topics in this theme may include intervention trials to provide evidence for the effectiveness of management or restoration.
It may include research into innovative techniques and methods for creating new native woodland for different objectives. This includes effectiveness for biodiversity and people but also the economics and cost-effectiveness of different approaches.
Landscape scale research
The Trust is particularly interested in applied, interdisciplinary research projects addressing issues with landscape-scale significance. It will encourage research which integrates woods and trees across other appropriate aspects of conservation, and other land uses that traditionally do not feature trees and integration into society more widely.
Further details about how to apply and topics of interest under each theme can be found at www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/grants.
The deadline for applications is Thursday 1 July at 4pm.
The Woodland Trust is calling for the public’s nominations to find Scotland’s Tree of the Year 2018. Continue reading Nominations open for Scotland’s Tree of the Year
Woodland Trust Scotland is seeking recruits to help plant Scotland’s First World War Centenary Wood at Dreghorn in the Pentlands on the outskirts of Edinburgh this weekend. A public planting day will be held on Saturday December 2nd from 10.30am to 2pm. Continue reading Volunteers wanted to plant Scotland’s First World War Wood
This year Sainsburys are the National partner with the Woodland Trust. As part of this, a centenary wood is being created in Edinburgh – at Dreghorn Wood (just off the city Bypass), one of four sites in the UK.
To mark the 100th Anniversary of the First World War, Sainsburys Blackhall are inviting customers and colleagues along for a family fun day on Saturday 8 November at Dreghorn Woods to plant a tree with us and create a living, growing tribute to mark the centenary.
6254 A4 planting poster-SCOT-PRINT
Gail, Sainsburys Blackhall
