NATIONAL TREE WEEK 2011
(26th November – 4th December)
Planting one tree may seem but a tiny step on the road to ameliorating local climate change, but The Tree Council says that every tree matters.
During National Tree Week 2011, The Tree Council is urging everyone who cares for their environment to take that step and put one tree – or more – in the ground. Not simply because it is a carbon sequestration and storage tool and a regulator of the urban microclimate that takes up air pollution, nor because it ameliorates adverse effects of weather, reducing windspeeds on blustery days, giving shade on hot days, cooling the air, reducing heating and air conditioning costs and saving energy, which in turn cuts down air pollution caused by burning fossil fuels – though it is, and does, all of these things. No, the benefits of a tree extend far beyond.
Every tree has a role in moderating rainstorm impact as part of sustainable drainage systems and storm water management, lessening the likelihood of flash floods. Each one makes a major contribution to the restoration of derelict and degraded land after the ravages of industrial development, waste disposal or other man-made blights, and creates a more pleasant environment in which to live. The UK’s native trees, individually and in woodlands, provide great habitats for wildlife and the sustainable cultivation of trees for renewable low-energy construction materials, charcoal, food, and as an alternative energy source are significant ways in which every tree will matter, more and more, in years to come.
“A tree planted close to where you live, work or study is good for you and for the nation’s condition; trees have been proven to have positive effects on mental health and as an antidote to stressful lifestyles, even aiding recuperation from illness.” commented Pauline Buchanan-Black, Director-General of the Tree Council. “However, to be able to look out on a tree simply lifts my soul and gladdens my heart. That, at bottom, seems to me to be one of the most compelling reasons to argue that everyone should be able to see a tree from their window - and if you can’t, then now is the time to set about changing the view. Every tree matters as much for the beauty, growth and renewal, whether in urban or rural settings, that it demonstrates year on year as for the very practical benefits it brings.”
National Tree Week also sees the first anniversary of the launch of The Big Tree Plant, the partnership between civil society and Government in England to encourage the planting of trees by communities. Buchanan Black added “Thousands more trees will be planted across the country as a result of this initiative, helping local groups create neighbourhoods that we can be proud of.
Many people have already successfully applied for Big Tree Plant funds to start their own community projects and we hope that events during National Tree Week will help more and more people to appreciate why every tree really does matter.”
The 37th annual National Tree Week will run from 26th November to 4th December 2011 and marks the launch of the tree planting season. First run in 1975, National Tree Week was launched to follow up the success of National Tree Planting Year, with its slogan “Plant A Tree In ‘73”. Every year, upward of half a million adults and children take part in around 2000 events across the UK, organised by Tree Council member organisations, many of its 8000 volunteer Tree Wardens, local community groups and schools across the UK.
Most events involve tree planting, but many also use other ways of raising tree awareness such as walks through woodlands, tree identification tours and tree surveys as well as tree identification workshops, Wood Fairs, talks, woodturning demonstrations and storytelling. Many local authorities also give out free tree packs to those who wished to plant their own.
Environmental charity The Tree Council is the UK's lead charity for trees in all settings, urban and rural, promoting their importance in a changing environment and it works in partnership with communities, organisations and government to make trees matter to everyone. As the coalition body for over 180 organisations working together for trees, it focuses on getting more trees, of the right kind, in the right places; better care for all trees of all ages and inspiring effective action for trees.
It works with its national volunteer Tree Warden Scheme and member organisations to engage people in biodiversity and environmental issues and to promote planting and conservation of trees and woods in town and country. A major part of this is achieved through its annual Community Action Programme that includes Walk in the Woods month, (launched in 1996,) Seed Gathering Season (launched as Seed Gathering Sunday in 1998 and refreshed in 2006) and National Tree Week (first run in March 1975), and through supporting groups organising local events.
It operates a tree-planting grants programme for UK schools and communities to plant trees and create woodland habitats, as well as working on an agenda for change that includes its annual Tree Care Campaign, begun in 1999, the Green Monument Campaign and Hedge Tree Campaign.
The Big Tree Plant is a campaign to encourage people and communities to plant more trees in England's towns, cities and neighbourhoods. It is a partnership bringing together national tree-planting organisations and local groups working with Defra and the Forestry Commission to plant trees throughout England. Anybody can get involved by planting and caring for trees to help make neighbourhoods more attractive, healthy places to live. £4m has been made available to support community and civic groups, or other non-profit organisations to establish community-led tree planting projects in streets or in green places that are open to all to visit or where local people will benefit from them in towns, cities and residential areas throughout England.
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