HEREFORDSHIRE TREE WARDEN NETWORK (HTWN) The Tree Council and the Tree Warden Scheme
The Tree Council is an umbrella organisation that brings everyone together for the love of trees and our planet’s future. It launched the National Tree Warden Scheme in 1990, a UK-wide network of volunteers who plant, look after, and stand up for the trees in their patch. For more information about the Tree Council follow the link below:
Tree Wardens are organised into local networks, each one managed by a coordinator, with support and training from The Tree Council. Some are run by Local Authorities while others are independent. Herefordshire Tree Warden Network (HTWN) is an independent volunteer-run network that was set up in 2015.
For more information about the National Tree Warden Scheme see here: https://treecouncil.org.uk/tree-wardens/
As well as being linked to the National Tree Warden Scheme, HTWN also works closely with Herefordshire Wildlife Trust and is affiliated to the Herefordshire Tree Forum, which brings together statutory bodies, other local organisations and experts concerned with tree care policy.
The Tree Council’s Seasonal Campaigns 2024
The Tree Council’s seasonal campaigns enable everyone to celebrate trees and hedgerows throughout the year and encourage people of all ages to get out and about in their local communities. Tree Wardens can play a vital role in making others aware of these seasonal campaigns.
For more details click on the link below:
What do Tree Wardens Do?
Tree Wardens are volunteers whose role is to spread the word about the importance of trees and hedgerows in their local community. As local tree champions, they are the eyes and ears of their neighbourhoods, with community involvement being a central aim of the Scheme. Some Tree Wardens work with local schools or groups, developing projects to encourage others to value the community’s trees and woods. By involving children and youth groups, they can help to reduce vandalism. Many Wardens lead guided tree walks and give talks to local groups. Tree Wardens can help farmers to lay hedges or tag hedge trees and generally encourage local environmental improvement and tree planting projects
Their range of activities can include:
- Championing local trees and helping to conserve local treescapes including traditional orchards
- Supporting the planting of trees and hedges and their aftercare
- Recording the location of ancient, veteran and rare trees
- Raising awareness about the importance of hedges and hedgerow trees
- Developing an awareness of the biodiversity associated with trees and hedgerows
- Getting together with like-minded people for training activities and field trips
- Developing a basic knowledge about what can influence the welfare of trees and hedgerows
- Providing early warning of threats, disease, decay or vandalism
- Organising tree-related events and activities
- Participating in citizen-science projects
- Leading guided tree walks or giving a talk to a local group
- Developing a basic knowledge and understanding of the Law and its impact on trees and hedges
- Liaising with local authority officers and conservation bodies
Tree Wardens are associated with parishes, towns and city wards throughout the County:
The Map on the right shows the areas in bright green where Tree Wardens have been appointed. Click anywhere on this image and you will be taken to a fully interactive version of the map where, by clicking on your parish, town or ward, you can find the contact details for your local Tree Warden.
The areas shown in grey don't yet have a designated Tree Warden - if you would like to find out about becoming one yourself, please get in touch!
With thanks to David Lovelace, Nic Howes and Sally Webster who created this map
How can I become a Herefordshire Tree Warden?
The idea of the Tree Warden Network is that every Parish, Town or City Ward has a volunteer Tree Warden, backed by the expertise of The Tree Council:
For every signed-up local Tree Warden the Tree Council will provide guidance, training opportunities and support via this local network.
Volunteer Tree Wardens do not need to be expert about all tree-related issues, but they will learn where to find advice.
Through the HTWN network, Tree Wardens will receive training to:
Identify, record and monitor trees
Advocate for trees and celebrate them – “Trees Matter”
Protect trees and help keep them healthy
Recognise problems or threats
Plant more trees in their local community
As volunteers, Tree Wardens have no statutory authority and cannot advise on tree safety, but might:
Assist with managing Conservation Area trees, campaign for more trees and hedgerows, apply for Tree Preservation Orders, etc.
Collaborate with local and national organisations to support and encourage tree and hedge planting initiatives
Liaise with Town, Parish and Ward Councils about tree diseases, felling or planting, and planning applications
Inform landowners or the Police about vandalism or wildlife crimes
You don’t need any previous experience to become a Tree Warden, just lots of enthusiasm!
To find out more, please email the Herefordshire Tree Warden Network Coordinator, Sally Webster at [email protected] or ring 07836 389369.