Welcome to the
Herefordshire
Tree Forum
Championing Trees and the Green Environment
The Herefordshire Tree Forum consists of a group of volunteers and organisations dedicated to promoting the planting, care and preservation of trees throughout the county and to fostering a better understanding of the social, environmental and economic benefits that they provide. In this website we offer information and guidance with the aim of supporting more effective, sustainable management of the County’s green environment and of encouraging a deeper appreciation and active engagement with trees in both the public and private realms.
SCROLL DOWN for TREE NEWS & UPCOMING EVENTS also for CONTACTS and LINKS TO OTHER USEFUL WEBSITES
To see the latest planning applications for work on TPO & Conservation Area Trees:
"Recognising Ancient & Veteran Trees" - Woodland Trust guidance available here:
The Native Black Poplar is one of our rarest native trees and as part of the work to re-establish it as a familar sight in the countyside, over 2000 plants and cuttings have been made avaialble to over 120 parishes throughout Herefordshire and beyond. In addition, to help to promote genetic diversity and create greater resilience for the species, a 'clone bank' of young trees has been planted at Oak Tree Farm. Grown from cuttings (or 'truncheons'), these represent the nine genetic types so far found amongst the surviving trees in Herefordshire. These include 2 of only 5 female trees found in the County; one of these was found to be genetically unique, being THAT close to extinction!This valuable resource has created interest from neighbouring counties, which may well be able to contribute more individuals to further widen the available genetic pool.
For more information about the Black Poplar Project, CLICK HERE
AND - The National Trust follows our lead! CLICK HERE
Announcements & Upcoming Events
April 1-30
Spring in your Step: a Springtime Hereford Tree Trail
April 13
Forest Bathing – An Introduction to Shinrin-Yoku.
May 16-17
The Arb Show returns to Westonbirt this May for a celebration of the world of tree care.
Tree News from the County & beyond
If you have tree news or event announcements, please get in touch
A new national forest comprising 20 million trees are to be planted across Bristol, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and Somerset by 2050
Twenty million trees will be planted and 2,500 hectares of new woodland created in the west of England as part of a "national forest" drive, the government has announced.
The Western Forest will be made up of new and existing woodlands across Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Somerset, the Cotswolds and the Mendips as well as in urban areas such as Bristol, Swindon and Gloucester.
It will be the first of three new national forests promised by the government to help meet a legally-binding target of achieving 16.5% woodland cover in England by 2050.
However, with only 10% cover achieved so far, environmental groups have warned much more needs to be done to meet tree-planting targets. For more information CLICK HERE For the Government press Release CLICK HERE
#Free the Tree: Look out for strangled trees!
The Arboricultural Association has launched a 'free the tree' campaign There could be tens of thousands of trees across the UK being strangled by redundant tree ties left on too long. Wherever trees have been planted, in private gardens and along the side of roads, in car parks and housing estates, in schools and open green space, this issue can be found all too frequently. Through a lack of good aftercare or a lack of understanding, these trees will struggle to establish in the landscape, with many dying as a result.
For more information CLICK HERE - To download a poster, CLICK HERE
New report reviews management and creation of woodland for biodiversity and wider environmental benefits
Forest Research has published a new report which summarises the current evidence on how woodland management and creation affects biodiversity, ecosystem resilience and key environmental benefits. Well-managed woodlands of any type can enhance biodiversity and support many protected species. Additionally, woodlands provide important benefits to people through regulating and providing ecosystem services such as timber and wood products, climate change mitigation, water quality improvements and recreation. This new review focuses on the benefits to woodland-associated biodiversity and highlights where actions can be beneficial to species outside woodlands.
DOWNLOAD THE REPORT HERE
Climate warming leads to growth decline in Beech trees
A new long-term study reveals alarming insights into the impact of climate change on the European beech (Fagus sylvatica), one of Europe’s most widespread and ecologically important tree species. Conducted by an international team led from the University of Liverpool, the study uses four decades of monitoring data to identify a sharp 28% decline in tree growth since 2005, attributed to temperature-driven changes that favour seed production over growth; counterintuitively, this leads to a reduction in how many viable seeds are produced, dispersed and germinate, painting a concerning picture for the future of beech in our forests. More information HERE
Report suggests the impact of Ash Dieback (Chalara) may be less devastating than first estimates suggested.
Dr Matt Combes, a tree epidemiologist at the University of Warwick and the lead author of a review article that summarises various insights into the disease says that although a lot of trees are going to die, "ash dieback infection is not a death sentence.” Many of Britain’s ash trees might be more resilient than initially believed – and emerging solutions could help protect them. See news report in The Guardian HERE
Tree Council launches "Trees Love Care" campaign
Newly planted trees need simple care in their tender early years to thrive. Carrying out a little tree care is a great way to stay connected to the tree or trees you have planted, and could help them prosper for years and even decades to come. t’s easy to help young trees survive those critical first five years. Find their useful tree care tips HERE
Wrong trees in the wrong place can make cities hotter at night, study reveals
While trees can cool some cities significantly during the day, new research shows that tree canopies can also trap heat and raise temperatures at night. The study aims to help urban planners choose the best combinations of trees and planting locations to combat urban heat stress.
Is Pollution killing one of Herefordshire's oldest trees?
The Old Oak of Ross is probably one of the oldest oaks in the county, which makes it one of the oldest trees in Europe. It has surved for perhaps 900 years but over the past ten years or so its condition has declined with one section of the tree showing increasing dieback, as can be seen in the images on the right, from 2012 (top) and 2024 (below).
It may be significant that its decline corresponds with the worsening condition of the River Wye, the waters of which have, for centuries, flooded the meadow in which the tree grows but which recently have been polluted by excessive agricultural runoff and sewage discharges.
An article to be publishd in Arb News is available HERE: illustrated by numerous photographs, it describes the tree through history and discusses its decline and the possible causes.
CONTACTS
Herefordshire Tree Forum: [email protected]
Herefordshire Tree Warden Network: [email protected]
Herefordshire Ancient Tree Forum: [email protected]
Click on the buttons below to access Herefordshire Council website pages
Links to websites of other useful organisations
ACTION OAK: an initiative to protect our oak trees.
Working with partners to lead the vital work & research to protect the UK’s native oak trees and safeguard their future.
ANCIENT TREE INVENTORY:
The Woodland Trust's Inventory mapping the oldest and most important trees in the UK
