Countryside Jobs Service Focus on Trees and Hedges In association with The Tree Council

21 November 2011

Why Urban Trees Matter – To Everyone 

NATIONAL TREE WEEK 2011

(26 November – 4 December)

“Every tree matters” is The Tree Council’s rallying cry for this year’s National Tree Week – and nowhere is that more true than in the UK’s towns and cities which are home to the majority of the population.

Trees have such a positive impact on so many aspects of urban life that hanging on to those we’ve got – in the face of considerable threats – and planting many more needs to be high on any community’s agenda. They provide a whole range of benefits for everyone who lives, works, learns or spends leisure time in towns and cities.

It’s a message that the growing numbers of urban Tree Wardens are helping to spread in their own neighbourhoods. That’s why The Tree Council, which launched the national Tree Warden Scheme back in 1990 specifically to harness the power of volunteers for the good of their communities’ trees, is looking particularly to them to galvanise fellow citizens into action during National Tree Week.

Local residents turn out to help Newcastle Tree Wardens plant new trees along one of the city's major roads (Credit: The Tree Council)

 “Our Tree Wardens, as champions of their local trees, are well placed to spread the word and are keen to get other members of their communities involved, so we’re urging people to get in touch with them,” said Pauline Buchanan Black, Director-General of environmental charity The Tree Council, which is the coalition body for over 180 organisations working together for trees.

“With our partners in the new Londoners Love Trees project – part of the Mayor of London’s Team London volunteering initiative – we are particularly working to increase the number of Tree Wardens in the capital. So we’re encouraging more people to sign up to both the well established and the new London Tree Warden networks that we are developing. The first of the new ones will be launched in Ealing during National Tree Week.”

When it comes to the huge benefits of urban trees, it’s not just a question of keeping up appearances, although they do make a staggering visual difference to any neighbourhood – whether it’s in a comfortable suburb or an area of regeneration. They not only screen ‘eyesores’ but also noise, reducing people’s perception of it and lowering levels by as much as six to eight decibels. They bring more wildlife into the heart of towns and cities and there is also evidence that people drive more slowly along streets lined with trees – which are a good deal more appealing as traffic calmers than pinch points and road humps.

Trees help to reduce air pollution from the burning of fossil fuels, as their canopies act as a filter for particulate pollution. They also help to moderate the climate – locally, nationally and globally. Their shade reduces summer temperatures in towns and cities and in winter they provide shelter, saving energy consumption through their moderation of the local climate. They absorb carbon dioxide, a major greenhouse gas, through their leaves; slow wind speeds and reduce the impact of rainstorms; and lower the risk of flash floods because their canopies intercept rain which then evaporates or drips gradually to the ground.

Then there is the economic effect. Not only do studies show that property prices are higher where houses are associated with mature trees but also that businesses are attracted to tree-rich settings, and that taking your lunch break in leafy surroundings helps to cut down stress and improve productivity.

In fact the health benefits of a green environment are increasingly well researched, from providing opportunities for regular moderate exercise to speedier post-operative recovery levels in hospitals. Trees also help people with respiratory problems, such as asthma and bronchitis, because their leaves filter dust and absorb harmful gases.

Brownies and Rainbows get tree planting with Plymouth Tree Wardens to enhance a local car park             (The Tree Council)

“Planting a tree is such an easy, enjoyable way to do something for the community and we offer grants to help schools and groups to do just that,” points out Pauline. “It can really help bring communities together and being involved with the planting of trees can build a strong sense of ownership. That in turn can help reduce vandalism and also mean people are more willing to volunteer for the continuing care which young trees need.

“This is very much the spirit of National Tree Week, which we launched way back in 1975 to follow up the success of National Tree Planting Year, with its slogan of Plant A Tree In ‘73. However, we recognise that there is still a great deal of work to be done to get everyone to appreciate the real value of trees in their patch – and to realise that there’s much they can do to ensure existing trees are cared for and more are planted.”

• Visit The Tree Council's website, www.treecouncil.org.uk, for information about National Tree Week events, to publicise details of activities, for tips on tree planting and aftercare, and more about Tree Wardening, tree planting grants and Londoners Love Trees.

Wherever you see this symbol against an advert or article it means that the organisation is a member of The Tree Council. An environmental charity, The Tree Council is an umbrella body for 190 organisations working together for more trees, of the right kind, in the right places; for better care for all trees; and to inspire effective action for trees. Its goal is to make trees matter to everyone. Members range from professional, non-governmental, specialist and trade organisations, including other environmental charities, to local authorities and government bodies.

When you need a forester or arboriculturist, look for the mark of expertise – MICFor or FICFor – and be assured of the best.

Forests, woodlands and urban trees must be sustainably managed in order to meet society’s increasing demand for wood, for recreation, amenity, conservation and the economy.

That’s the job of the Chartered Forester.

The Institute of Chartered Foresters ensures its chartered members apply expert knowledge, maintain high standards of professional practice, and are bound by a Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct.

Institute of Chartered Foresters, 59 George Street, Edinburgh, EH2 2JG T: 0131 240 1425

F: 0131 240 1424 E: icf@chartererdforesters.org www.charteredforesters.org 

New on-line A-Z of trees brought to you by RFS and Readers Digest

Spectacular and free!

This new tree species reference library uses exquisite and highly detailed hand illustrations to bring together all aspects of trees and their uses. A one stop shop for all you need to know.

Part one - natives and naturalised trees - available now. Part two – exotics  - coming soon! 

Go to  www.rfs.org.uk  and explore the Learning / A-Z of trees section.

Plant a tree for the Jubilee! 

2012 marks the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and throughout this historic 60th anniversary year the Woodland Trust’s Jubilee Woods project aims to plant 6 million trees involving millions of people; landowners, communities, schools and individuals at home. The Woodland Trust hopes that a million people will plant a tree for the Jubilee in their garden, or in a pot on a patio or balcony.

And it’s not the first time that the UK has celebrated a Royal occasion by nationwide tree planting. The Trust has uncovered a forgotten treasure, the Royal Record of King George VI’s Coronation. This incredible record details all the tree planting undertaken by thousands of schools, parishes, organisations and homeowners in 1936/7, in gardens, parks and public spaces, and even names the individuals across the UK and the world who planted the trees.

The Trust has taken on the painstaking challenge of digitising the 1937 Royal Record. It is now available online for people to search the records and locate trees planted near them, find out if relatives or neighbours planted trees and be inspired to make their mark on history by planting their own garden tree for The Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

There are 21.6 million homes in the UK with gardens, and many more with courtyards and balconies. The Trust's vision is of 1 million people planting a tree for the Jubilee, in their garden, or in a pot on their patio or balcony. If whole streets decided to do this together as a new take on a street party what a difference that would make to people and wildlife! Trees planted in adjacent gardens can bring many of the benefits of creating new woodland.

Free Jubilee tree packs are available for communities and schools to plant in local areas and school grounds at jubileewoods.org.uk

Georgina McLeod, Head of the Jubilee Woods project

Crown Consultants operate throughout the UK offering a variety of High Quality Tree Surveys & Tree Reports to Tree Owners as well as Architects, Developers, Estate Managers and Lawyers. We will look at your individual needs, offer free advice, and tailor our services to best suit your requirements. Tel: 08000 14 13 30 Email: admin@crowntrees.co.uk  Web: www.crowntrees.co.uk

The Save Our Forests campaign from a SaveOurWoods perspective

By Hen

The ‘Save Our Forests’ campaign began towards the end of 2010 in response to the government’s decision to sell off the Public Forest Estate (PFE) in England. Government proposed to use the Public Bodies Bill (a bill created to save money by reforming or doing away with ‘quangos’), to give the Secretary of State the powers to make changes to the Forestry Commission and our PFE without having to consult the House of Lords, the House of Commons or us, the public.

In an office in Whitehall, with the stroke of a pen, one person would have the power to sell off our entire Public Forest Estate at any time, to anyone.

Why we should save our woods           (Hen, Saveourwoods.co.uk)

No one involved with the forestry campaign has argued that the Forestry Commission doesn’t need reform or that the PFE should be held in aspic. But what the campaign argued was that time should be spent on getting the reform right. To sell off the PFE would only bring short term economic gain at the expense of the public’s ability to hold the government to account over management and access. With the added concern of being unable to deal with the growing number of forest pests and diseases effectively, on a large scale and at very short notice. The idea that all of the good work the Forestry Commission has done could be lost to the public, forever, was just too much to bear.

The ‘Save Our Forest’ website was launched, created by forestry union members. News media began reporting about the potential sell off and from the hard work of campaign groups the petition website 38 Degrees online petition ultimately gained over half a million signs and commissioned a YouGov poll paid for with crowd-sourced money which found 84% of people opposed the sell-off. Climate change activist Tamsin Omond coordinated a public letter, sent to the Telegraph, with 84 signatories of public figures, including the Archbishop of Canterbury, claiming the sell-off was ‘indefensible’. Many new local campaigns started to spring up and existing groups’ membership swelled. Somewhere in amongst that bubbling cauldron Karen Wilde and I started SaveOurWoods.co.uk (SOW), later joined by Nick Gallop.   We worked solidly, seven days a week from dawn till almost dawn putting our lives on hold for over two months. But it was worth it. Save Our Woods became a hub for campaign information, the exchange of facts from experts, forestry practitioners and anonymous contributors and a platform for the outpouring of public feeling about trees & woodlands.

Not only was there the work we did online but there was also the background work. Constantly on the phone, ping ponging emails and researching and collating information. We were invited to secret meetings, had mysterious calls in the night and were invited to the House of Lords, where at a meeting with main campaign groups and experts (organised to advise the Labour front benchers before Prime Ministers Questions), Hen received her Ed Millihug, campaign gold! None of us had ever done anything like this before. We didn’t know what we were doing but it was working and we couldn’t stop, we had become grassroots campaigners!

Even when the government performed their spectacular side-step, throwing out the forestry clauses from the Public Bodies Bill and stopping the sham public consultation in favour of the formation of an ‘Independent’ Forestry Panel to advise government on the future of our forests, we didn’t stop, we haven’t stopped.

So, why, as ordinary members of the public, did we do that?

So far five different researchers trying to get an answer to that question have interviewed me. Two of which have produced incredible research papers on the campaign: Alex Lockwood of Sunderland University and Julian Cottee of Oxford University. I’m no academic and I wouldn’t want to guess at what lay in other people’s hearts but what I do know is why I put and continue to put so much effort into SaveOurWoods. I’m afraid it’s not quantifiable and may even sound a bit floaty to some. 

No one can deny that the instinctive reaction by hundreds of thousands of people, including myself, to the statement that our forests were ‘under threat’ was to get up off our sofas and start tying yellow ribbons on every tree we could find. We shouted "Hands Off Our Forests",

Sussex Keep Our Forests Public campaign group at their rally in Friston Forest in March 2011             (saveourwoods.co.uk)

I believe there is a deep connection between people and trees. Throughout our history as a species we’ve fought to protect trees from destruction. There are many stories of activism to protect trees from across the centuries and around the globe. People feel a deep sense of place in a woodland or under the canopy of their favourite tree. To be able to go and feel revived and at peace: that is what a woodland can do for you. I would even stretch it so far as to say that our lives are intrinsically linked to trees and always have been. Trees mean life. That is where I believe the instinctive reaction was rooted.

The campaign goes on. The setting up of the Forestry Panel was a great result, no matter how disappointing it was to see some of the members. A new group called Our Forests has formed to monitor the Forestry Panel, made up of some of the experts and campaigners that were active during the campaign. SOW continues to highlight some of the inspiring work that arboroculturalists, members of the public and other experts are doing across Europe to plant, manage and promote the sustainable use and enjoyment of trees and woodlands. SOW is also monitoring the Forestry Panel’s progress with and alongside Our Forests to ensure that the panel is truly working for the benefit of the people who fought so hard during the campaign and are not falling victim to a government exercise in kicking the PFE issues into the long grass.

The Forestry Panel is, amongst other things, advising government on the ownership of our Public Forest Estate, whether Forest Enterprise & the Forestry Commission should continue in their work and the access and management of ALL forests, whether privately or publicly owned.  Visit the panels’ website to see their full terms of reference.

Their interim report will be published at the end of November with the full report being published April 2012 after a further round of public discussions. The Panel and their hard working secretariat are doing a fantastic job so far. Let’s just hope that they remember who gave them this opportunity to advise government on such a far reaching issue: the hundreds of thousands of members of the public that said ‘NO!’, we do not want our Public Forests sold!

Hen, SaveOurWoods.co.uk

Tree Hugging Week 2011 by Borders Forest Trust

Borders Forest Trust is an environmental charity based in the south of Scotland. It was set up 15 years ago with the aim of creating and protecting native woodlands for the benefit of people and wildlife. Projects vary from landscape-scale ecological restoration to woodland education, community woodlands and conservation volunteering.

One of the key challenges for the Trust is raising funds towards our core costs such as office and staff costs, which are not always as attractive to funders as our project-based work. A new fundraising initiative created this year was Tree Hugging Week, which took place in late September. We focused on local schools who have benefitted from our free outdoor education service and asked them to “hug 50 trees for BFT”, ideally in their school grounds or a local woodland, and to ask people to sponsor them for their efforts. The idea was that in addition to raising core funds, this would raise awareness of the importance of trees in our local environment.

Morebattle primary school tree huggers   (Sarah Anderson)

The response was overwhelming, both from schools but also from families and individuals. Several hundred people hugged trees over the course of the week, raising well over £1000. Our staff attended a number of events and were pleased to see so much enthusiasm from those taking part. Many schools used their hugging event as inspiration for a day of activities looking at the importance of trees and wildlife. We received additional sponsorship from a local woodland management company, Treesurv, which enabled us to purchase “I love trees” wristbands which were given to everyone who took part.

Despite some initial scepticism about the connotations for being a tree hugger, this light-hearted event was a success both in raising money and awareness of the Trust’s work. We are already planning for next year’s event.

Louisa Finch, Communications Officer, Borders Forest Trust

To find out more about Borders Forest Trust, visit www.bordersforesttrust.org Email enquiries@bordersforesttrust.org or call 01835 830750.

Hedges for Wildlife

Our native hedges are amazing. They’re one of the oldest man made features in the British landscape, they’re beautiful things and a fantastic resource for wildlife. Mixed hedges using native species are easy to recreate and manage, and I’m always surprised that more folk don’t go for them. 

Why a Native Hedge?

Our native hedge plants seem to be a bizarrely under-utilized resource particularly in urban environments. Perhaps people associate them with unruly mixed hedges, when they want a clean and tidy look. In which case, why not use a clipped single species hedge? These plants can be as architectural as yew or box; we’re in the middle of designing a garden at Chelsea which will include cloud pruned Hawthorn - like Blackthorn, a great security barrier beautiful in spring and fruitful in autumn.  For all year round interest add summer colour by including native Honeysuckle, Lonicera periclymenum, or Dog rose, Rosa canina. To my mind the more species in a hedge the better, improving interest and increasing its associated biodiversity.  Structurally mixed hedges look more sound; a good mix of suckering species like Blackthorn and Hazel will continue to give them body.  

Food - As with all our native plants, common hedge species have unique relationships with our native fauna. When thinking about food provided by hedges most people think about the berries for birds and small mammals – and larger mammals like us! There’s a largely unnoticed community of animals further down the foodchain depending on hedges for other forms of sustenance. Our butterflies and moths have unique relationships with our native plants. For example the Yellow Brimstone caterpillars feed exclusively on Buckthorn,  Brown Hairstreak has a similar relationship with Blackthorn. Think of the number of plants in a native hedge and you can imagine the volume of pollen and nectar even a short length will produce, as opposed to individual flowers. The mix of species also ensures a long flowering period – there’s rarely a time when something isn’t in bloom. From the Blackthorn blossom in early spring saving the honey bees from starving, to autumn-flowering  ivy allowing them to stock up for winter on warm days.  Different flowers attract different pollinators, thus a mixed native hedge supports a whole range.

A laid hedge in 2002 (Habitat Aid)

Starting a Hedge

Please use a British nursery for your plants - there are plenty online. Some of the large scale hedge planting over the last 20 years has used plants from all over – Eastern and Western Europe. Plants have genetic variations as do animals, so it’s a good idea to use plants with British provenance. Some suppliers are either coy about provenance or infer it, so ask them directly.

Traditionally you’ll need 5 plants per square metre to create a stockproof staggered double thickness hedge, but that’s not to say your hedge MUST look like that. You might not have enough room for two rows of plants, for example, although the thicker the hedge the better for wildlife.

Most woodland nurseries’ conservation hedge mix is a good diverse default mix and qualifies for any grant aided planting. Nurseries will usually tweak their standard mix to your requirements. Personally I’d recommend using  60-90cm plants; they’re still pretty small whips, which are easily planted and quick to establish. There is no point buying anything bigger as you’ll end up with a hedge with no base.

The same hedge in 2009 (Habitat Aid)

Although we’ve pretty much arrested the decline in the length of hedges in the UK, they’re beginning to turn into rows of small trees. Left unattended your hedge will go vertical, which is less helpful for all than a dense hedge with a wide base.  You can prevent this by pruning the growing tip off your new whips encouraging lateral growth. As time goes on the ideal way to ensure a perfect hedge is to lay it, but that’s often not practical. Establish a trimming regime that impacts the least on local wildlife; the Single Payment scheme asks for hedge cutting to stop between 1st March and 31st July, but the optimum time to do it is January and February, after the berries have been eaten but before birds start nesting.   Trim a hedge in a two or three year rotation to let it fill out.

The Single Payment scheme quite sensibly specifies a 2m wide uncultivated zone from the middle of the hedge.  If you do need to take extreme action to get a hedge back under control coppice it in sections, year by year, to minimize the impact on wildlife. Ideally, gap up a hedge while renovating it with locally sourced whips in keeping with the species you see around you.

Article by Nick Mann, Habitat Aid

For more information please have a look at http://www.habitataid.co.uk/acatalog/Hedges_Hedge_Plants.html

You can find details of Coppicing courses online on the CJS short course pages

Traditional coppicing is a boost to bird species

Bringing coppiced woodlands back to our countryside will help threatened birds including nightingales and willow warblers.

That’s the message from the RSPB which is supporting National Beanpole Week (21 – 29 April 2012). Events are being organised across the country by the Small Woods Association to highlight the plight of traditional coppiced woodlands which have declined by 90 per cent in the past century.

Coppicing hazel in East of England  (SWA library)

Richard Thomason, from the Small Woods Association, said: “When you buy beanpoles and pea sticks from your local coppice worker you are also helping to manage a valuable woodland habitat for some of our favourite woodland bird species.”  

Coppicing provides benefits for native woodlands and creates habitats for woodlands birds like garden warblers, nightingales, willow warblers and marsh tits.

Nigel Symes, RSPB woodland advisor, said: “Coppiced woodland is great for birds, and other wildlife, and a lot of the species which benefit from it are in trouble.

“Coppicing has declined massively since WWII and that has contributed to the fall in populations of wild birds which rely on dense thickety woodland. If you stop managing a woodland then it gradually becomes more sparse and open, which is not suitable for a bird like the nightingale.

“However there has been a recent resurgence in people managing small woods to provide coppice wood products, ranging from beanpoles to fuel. Lending your support to National Beanpole Week means you are doing your bit for some of our most threatened wild birds.”

 The National Beanpole campaign, 21 April – 29 April 2012, helps raise awareness for the need to restore coppiced woodlands and encourages gardeners to support their local coppice woodlands and workers by buying hazel beanpoles instead of imported bamboo canes.

For further information on National Beanpole week and coppice products visit  www.beanpoles.org.uk, www.coppice-products.co.uk or telephone the Small Woods Association on 01952 432769

Coppiced beanpoles are harvested in rotation, ensuring a continual supply of eco-friendly wood and creating a rich patchwork habitat for all kinds of animals and plants, from birds to dormice to orchids.

After coppiced trees have been harvested for beanpoles, they regrow before being cut again. This growing and harvesting cycle is ongoing and can continue on the same trees for many hundreds of years. Coppicing can extend the life of trees, with the oldest woodland trees often being those that have been coppiced.

With thanks to RSPB and Small Woods Association

A career with forests, woodlands and trees

Trees, woodlands and forests make an enormous contribution to the quality of our environment, society and economy and with the advance of climate change they have never been more important to us. Woodlands are now managed for a wide variety of reasons, including timber, carbon capture, biomass, recreation, landscape, biodiversity and conservation. Modern forestry helps reduce the affects of climate change, protects wildlife, provides us with recreational space and provides ecosystem services, renewable natural materials and fuel.

A career in this sector can be challenging and rewarding. You will be joining an industry which is always evolving and you will be helping to ensure that our trees, woodlands and forests prosper for future generations.

There are plenty of study opportunities for those looking to start a career straight from school, for those going in to the industry at graduate or post graduate level or for those changing careers later on.

Forestry and Arboriculture what’s the difference?

The word forest refers to a large expanse of woodland which usually contains a mosaic of rich habitats. Forestry is the science and art of managing these woodland habitats to maintain their health and diversity and to make wise use of the natural resources and environmental benefits they provide.

Arboriculture is the cultivation, care and preservation of individual trees in the landscape; often in an urban, suburban, parkland or roadside setting rather than in woodland.

At entry level many training courses combine skills from both disciplines.

Further education

School leavers or those with no previous knowledge in the subject may wish to take a Level 2 Diploma in Forestry & Arboriculture; this is a largely practical based course equal to 4-5 GCSEs and introduces basic skills. The Level 3 Diploma is more academically challenging; being equal to 3 A levels and provides students with a more in-depth knowledge base.

A Diploma offers core modules in topics such as plant and soil science, tree pests and diseases, business management and chainsaw use. Students can then select from specialist units of study in either forestry or arboriculture.

   ?        A forestry route will teach skills in tree planting, establishment, protection and maintenance and introduce woodland management and advanced forestry machine operations.

   ?      The arboriculture route will cover topics such as tree and shrub identification and selection, ground level operations, tree biology, pruning, climbing, dismantling and tree survey reports.

Apprentice operates machine to uproot seedlings at a nursery site         (Forestry Commission)

Completing an FE level course could help you enter a variety of industry roles including: countryside ranger, forestry worker, nursery tree grower, landscaper, grounds maintenance worker, arborist, local authority tree officer and self employed contractor.

Where to study

There are numerous land-based colleges across the UK providing Diploma courses.

Visit Landex to find a college near you: www.landex.org.uk

Apprentice de-limbing an oak tree (Forestry Commission)

Higher education

Undergraduate

A Foundation degree (FSc) in Forestry or Arboriculture is suitable for new entrants, those seeking a career change or for people already working in the industry wishing to up-skill. Often courses offer a one-year practical work placement in addition to college study.

Foundation degrees have a strong vocational and practical basis. Training usually includes the acquisition of recognised competency certificates in chainsaw and associated machinery. Students completing a FdSc can enter the industry at this point or progress to a one year full time top up course to achieve a BSc Hons.

Both foundation degrees and full BSc degrees are evolving and changing as a result of environmental concerns and new approaches to management. Students can now pick from a whole range of courses; each with a different study emphasis.

Apprentice de-limbing an oak tree (Forestry Commission)

Students with an interest in conservation could study a BSc Conservation & Forest Ecosystems at Bangor University or the BSc Forestry & Woodland Conservation at Cumbria University or even the BSc Sustainable Forest Management at Inverness College.

Even a straight forward FdSc or BSc Forestry course will offer an astounding array of optional modules to allow students to specialise. Modules such as: forest ecology, sylvicultural systems, tree biology and identification, wood science, forest products, woodland dynamics, sustainable management, landscape ecology, conservation, climate change, biodiversity, ecosystem services and geographic information systems. 

Postgraduate

For those already working in the sector, or in closely related land based industries, many universities offer post graduate certificates, diplomas or masters courses; some via distance learning.

Masters programmes in forestry or arboriculture are available but post graduate study also offers many opportunities to research and specialise in specific areas of interest.

For example Bangor offer a MSc Sustainable Tropical Forestry, Imperial offer a MSc Conservation & Forest Protection, Napier University offer a MSc Timber Engineering and Cumbria University offer a MSc Forest Ecosystem Management. 

Undertaking tree care work (Forestry Commission)

A higher education course could help you achieve management or senior management positions with local authorities, central government departments, commercial tree care companies or help you to enter contract management, consultancy practice, self-employment, lecturing or research.

Where to study

Visit Landex to find a college near you: www.landex.org.uk

Visit UCAS to search for a degree course: www.ucas.com

Professional vocational qualifications

The Royal Forestry Society’s (RFS) Certificate in Arboriculture has been recognised as an industry standard qualification for many years. Students undertake a specific course of theoretical study with ABC Awards at a college of their choice, take a suite of NPTC practical tests and then apply directly to the RFS for their award.

For details visit: www.rfs.org.uk/about/rfscertarb

Both the Arboricultural Association (AA) and the Institute of Chartered Foresters (ICF) accredit specific courses of study which provide admission to their entry level membership. Membership with the Institute of Chartered Foresters (ICF) can lead toward chartered status.

Arboricultural Association: www.trees.org.uk

Institute of Chartered Foresters: www.charteredforesters.org

Article from Debbie Cotton: RFS Education Officer

You can find details of Forestry related courses online on the CJS training pages   

Sussex Wildlife Trust Forest Schools

The Sussex Wildlife Trust (SWT) runs a busy programme of Forest Schools across Sussex, delivered by a team of 14 FS Leaders. We also run Forest School Training courses accredited through the Open College Network at levels 1, 2 and 3.

During a typical Forest School day with the Sussex Wildlife Trust, a group of up to15 children will establish a forest school site in woodland that is local to them. In common with many Forest Schools, they will learn how to light a fire responsibly and use tools safely.  Days are structured in a way that enables self-directed learning that is often play-based.  Forest school leaders are well trained to facilitate the learning whilst ensuring the site is used in a sustainable way.

SWT Forest School approach allows children to interact with their local landscape positively. There is time and space to watch a snail leave a slimy trail along a leaf, discover burrows in an earth bank, examine tracks near a muddy puddle. The social setting of the campfire is the perfect place to discuss thoughts, feelings and creative ideas for the next project. What better way to learn the names of trees and shrubs than to harvest materials for the creation of simple artefacts that all tell a story about our woodlands. Children experience the woodland at first hand; they touch it, smell it, and see it. It’s no longer just something abstract. They live it and work within it. They  become a part of the woodland. In a true sense they become part of the living landscape. Conservation tasks are achieved as a consequence:  Working overgrown hazel or chestnut will help to reinstate the coppice cycle. Shelter building becomes the motivation for extensive rhododendron clearance. Making charcoal can prompt discussions from the best charcoal for drawing to the future of biochar in modern farming practice. Immersed in the beauty and challenges of working in woodlands throughout the year, a connection forms between the local wild place and the people involved.

Home education families at Forest School (Anna Marie Kyriacou)

SWT has worked  with groups of Home Educated children on it’s Forest School programme for  a number of years.

It has become apparent  that the groups have consolidated well, and that we have effectively become the only regular outside provider of education to these children. This is both a responsibility and a great opportunity for the Trust to provide these children with Forest Schools potentially for the whole of their school career!

The Forest School approach to learning taps into a more natural method of learning, where the enthusiasms of the participants are recognised and followed through, rather than imposing a set programme. This does resonate well with the Home Educator ethos, and parents have commented that FS is the only place they can access education providers who don’t expect the children to behave as though they were in school!

Home educated children have had less opportunities to develop the social skills required by children who learn in a classroom setting, and as a result we have experienced some problems in delivering activities which require focussed listening, and turn taking.

Lots of really good work has been done, however, and the Trusts aims to encourage development of environmental awareness and empathy are achieved through explorations away from base camp through the woods and surrounding areas. At Stanmer Park in Brighton, a full survey of the badger setts was carried out with the children. The area was studied in detail, and food left for the badgers containing coloured pellets to enable their territorial ‘movements’ to be monitored!

Parental interest and participation in the programme is very high, and as a result, there are more adults on site than normal in comparison with our school groups. Parental involvement is now encouraged at a number of levels. At least one parent per group will take FS training at Level 1 (provided by SWT).Other parents will be involved in informal training sessions around the campfire to ensure an understanding of SWT expectations in terms of behaviour and participation by the children. This involvement is creating a real sense of community, with all participants being part of the Forest school learning environment.

For further information on SWT Forest Schools and Forest School Training, please contact katieriley@sussexwt.org.uk  07557162404, or mikemurphy@sussexwt.org.uk 

You can find details of Forest School training courses online on the CJS short course pages

Taking a bird’s eye view of England’s traditional orchards has enabled conservationists to put one of the most important wildlife habitats

back on the map

A five year research project by the People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) has used aerial photographs to produce a unique inventory of England’s traditional orchards a UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) Priority Habitat. The study funded by Natural England, the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and PTES, has for the first time established the location, condition, age, boundaries and management status of dwindling traditional orchards to support the Habitat Action Plan (HAP) and provides a much-needed baseline of data from which to focus future conservation action.

Over 35,000 traditional orchards have been identified in England      (Chris Richards)

The project has involved over 600 local volunteers who, with training from PTES have helped to survey a proportion (19%) of the orchards on the ground, recording the species, age and condition of the fruit trees – and contributing some 563 volunteer days to the project - the equivalent of over 18 months of work.

Hundreds of volunteers have helped with the orchard inventory (PTES)

The fieldwork analysis reveals that overall only 9% of England’s traditional orchards are in excellent condition, while 46% are in good condition and 45% are in poor condition.

Even more useful in terms of long-term stewardship, is that this report also provides a picture of the state of English orchards at the county level - allowing comparisons of the condition of traditional orchards to be made between any of the 51 counties included in the research. The study has also attempted to gather information from orchard owners throughout the country resulting in the collection of hundreds of orchard owner questionnaires providing valuable insights at a local level.

Anita Burrough, PTES Orchard Officer, who led the project team, says: “We are proud to have completed this important inventory which for the first time gives us a true picture of the state of

Over 1800 species of wildlife are associated with the traditional orchard habitat (PTES)

Dr Peter Brotherton, Head of Biodiversity for Natural England, said: “Traditional orchards can be biodiversity hot spots, but without proper protection and sensitive management, they can easily slip into decline. Up until now, many of these biodiversity goldmines were quietly deteriorating in forgotten corners of the countryside, becoming overgrown or being lost altogether. This research has enabled us to pin point their precise location, allowing conservationists to work with local communities and landowners in helping to keep these special sites buzzing with wildlife”.

Characteristically traditional orchards consist of a low density of trees set in seminatural, mainly herbaceous, vegetation. They are cultivated using low-intensity methods such as the absence of pesticides and the use of grazing animals instead of machines for mowing. This important habitat is becoming rare as we rely increasingly on imports to provide cheap fruit throughout the year. This has left the traditional orchard habitat, an intrinsic feature of the English countryside, at risk from neglect, intensification of agriculture and pressure from land development. 

The value of this vital inventory is demonstrated by the range of practical ways in which it will be used including:

   ●   Habitat restoration and creation

   ●   Identifying orchards in local planning policies and development control

   ●   Integrating habitat information and species distribution to support conservation action

   ●   Working in partnership with orchard owners to provide advice and practical support

   ●   Targeting Environmental Stewardship scheme options for management of traditional orchards. The survey revealed that around 2831.55 hectares of England’s traditional orchards are currently within Environmental Stewardship schemes

Work is now underway to extend this project to Wales and will be completed in December 2012.

For further information, please visit www.ptes/orchards or to get involved please email anita@ptes.org

March 2012 UPDATE  An update on the project can be found at the end of the article click here

Trees Under Threat - Update

Three years ago I wrote a short article for this journal entitled ‘Trees Under Threat?’. So what has happened since then? In that article I covered three main disease problems – Oak Dieback and Bleeding Canker of horse chestnut – and looked at whether climate change might be a factor in the increase in tree disease outbreaks. Since then we have added more new diseases and the current level of serious diseases is, in my 30 years experience quite unprecedented.

Death of larch due to Phytophthora ramorum (Forestry Commission)

Sudden Oak Death (Ramorum Blight and Dieback)

This disease, caused by the fungus-like organisms Phytophthora ramorum and Phytophthora kernoviae, is called Sudden Oak Death in California. However in this country this name is misleading as our oaks are rarely affected. Previously this disease was regarded as more of a threat to shrubs, especially to our native Bilberry, Vaccinium myrtillus, than to trees. Those trees that were infected were regarded as a ‘dead-end’ for the infection as no spores were produced on the bark of the infected trees. This all changed when dying Japanese larch, Larix kaempferi, trees in South West England were found to be infected with the disease. Within two years the disease spread through Japanese larch plantations in western Britain and hundreds of hectares of larch have been felled in an effort to control the spread.

Acute Oak Decline (Forestry Commission)

To summarise the earlier article, the cause of Oak Dieback is believed to be complex with a number of factors acting together or in sequence to bring about the death of the tree. We believe, however, that the main initiating factor is climatic and, specifically, repeated severe droughts. In recent years a different form of oak decline has been recognised, characterised by extensive stem bleeding and a relatively rapid decline. This new form has been designated as Acute Oak Decline while the decline mentioned above has been renamed Chronic Oak decline. Since this was written in 2009, we have continued to see an increase in oak decline, particularly the form described as Acute Oak Decline. There is now great concern about the future of oaks in some woodland sites and also in hedgerows as tree deaths have increased significantly. Research into this problem is continuing but it is likely to take several years before we have enough data to start considering ways to manage or control the problem. 

Bleeding canker of horse chestnut (Forestry Commission)

Bleeding Canker

With Bleeding Canker we appear to have passed the peak and the number of new cases is declining slowly. Many diseased trees have recovered from the infection and a significant proportion of the country’s horse chestnuts (around 50%) seem to be resistant to the disease. So the future may not be as bleak as some commentators have suggested. Horse chestnuts are also affected by the larvae of the horse chestnut leaf-miner moth, Cameraria ohridella, which can cause extensive browning of the leaves from mid-summer onwards. Though dramatic, there is no evidence that it causes long-term damage to the trees. However, some people have seen the leaf browning and assumed that it is linked to the Bleeding Canker and that the trees are dying! This has led to many trees being wrongly felled when there was every chance of a full recovery.

Dieback of lawson cypress due to Phytophthora lateralis (Forestry Commission)

 What other new diseases have appeared recently?

The most significant one is yet another Phytophthora, Phytophthora lateralis. This was found initially on some Lawson cypress, Chamaecyparis lawsoniana, in Balloch Country Park near Loch Lomond and another two sites nearby. Within a year it was found on trees at sites in Northern Ireland, Devon and Yorkshire. It is not known to infected trees other than Lawson

Massaria disease of London plane (Forestry Commission)

Yet another new disease, as yet not fully understood, is Massaria disease of London Plane, Platanus xhispanica. Long bark lesions form on the upper side of branches and the fungus Splanchnonema (=Massaria) platani can be found on the dead tissue. Sometimes the branch is killed but more often the exposed wood becomes decayed leading to branch failure. As these trees are widely planted in parks and roads any failure of sizeable branches is a serious problem. The disease is to be the subject of more research to establish the precise relationship between the fungus and the bark death.

For more information on these diseases go to www.forestry.gov.uk/fr/protectingtrees

Article by: David R Rose

The importance of selecting the right tree species before planting

The selection of the “right tree for the right place” is a question posed by many a professional landscape architect, specifier, landscaper and the amateur gardener alike.

With modern nursery production and garden centres offering a bewildering array of native, naturalised and exotic species from all over the globe, the selection can be a daunting and expensive process if the resulting planted tree fails.  With our ever changing and unpredictable climate and recent hard winters we are also seeing old favourites that have performed well for many years being lost from our landscape and gardens.

To help reduce the number and potential for loss and disappointment it is clear that a few questions should be posed and simple rules applied before making your selection. 

Machine-lifting bare root trees from November – March (Coles Nurseries)

Your natural ground conditions are your next consideration point.  It is possible to slightly change and improve the soil before tree planting but if this needs to be carried out a large scale, this becomes extremely costly and prohibitive to the scheme itself. The ground conditions will be critical in the establishment, growth and performance of the tree and its ultimate development in its mature state.  Many trees and shrubs will establish and grow in less than ideal conditions but will not thrive and fully attain all of their key features and attributes.

If the natural ground conditions are wet/damp/high water table you should look to select trees from a group that includes:  Alnus- Alder, Salix x sepulcrallis Chrysocoma – Weeping Willow, Betula Nigra – River Birch or  Amelanchier Canadensis – Snowy mespilus.

If the natural ground conditions are heavy clay, consider examples from: Crataegus species – Hawthorns, Betula – Birch, Malus – Crab apples or Quercus – Oaks.

Location of the planting area is also a key factor, from high salt content air and spray to inner city pollution and open spaces.  You can select a range of plants that will both thrive and produce a range of features in specific locations.  For inner city and industrial locations, consider Carpinus betulus – Hornbeam, Liriodendron tulipifera – Tulip tree, Prunus Avium – wild cherry.  For the more coastal and exposed areas, a choice of  Quercus robur – Common oak, Sorbus aria & aucuparia cultivars – Whitebeam & Rowans, Acer pseudoplatanus – Sycamore or Castanea sativa – Sweet Chestnut are suitable.

With a little knowledge and guidance, you can also define the selection to a particular attractive feature of a tree.  If space is limited, for example, select a tree that is conical or has a “fastigiate” or upright-growing habit.  Choose from Carpinus betulus “Franz Fontaine” – Hornbeam, Corylus colurna – Turkish hazel, Quercus robur “Fastigiata” – Cypress oak, Sorbus aucuparia “Asplenifolia” – Cut-leaved mountain ash.

You may require a tree with a weeping or “pendulus” habit such as Betula pendula “Youngii”- Young’s weeping birch, Fagus sylvatica “Pendula” – Weeping beech or Pyrus salicifolia “Pendula” – Weeping pear.

With assistance from a reputable nursery, you can even refine your search and list to produce an individual flower colour at a particular time of the year.  If you have a specific need for a tree to flower in a particular month (climatic and variables considered) amongst the lists and trees available, one can be found.  For example, if you need a floral impact in June and a Summer display of flowers in your garden, look for Crataegus species – Hawthorns, Laburnum x watereri “Vossii” – Voss’s laburnum, Robinia species – Golden locust or Aesculus – Horse chestnut.

The above are all examples of the rich and diverse range of trees that are freely available from nurseries and garden centres around the UK.  The most important questions to ask before selecting the “right tree for the right place” are:

   ●   When will I be planting?

   ●   What are my ground conditions?

   ●   Does the tree size/shape/habit meet my requirements?

   ●   Is the flower/bark/effect the correct key feature?

   ●   Is the tree suitable for my location?

Once you have narrowed the search down, contact your nursery and discuss in details the trees you need, select the size, form and selection you need based on the guidance and assistance your nursery offers and ensure the planted tree can be maintained and afforded after care to maximise its success rate in the landscape.

Vince Edwards, Horticultural Sales Team, Coles Nurseries

The Outdoors Company is a specialist supplier of outdoor clothing & equipment to the rights of way and countryside access teams across the UK. We have extensive knowledge and experience in supplying  Rangers, Wardens and many other people who work in this field. Please register now at www.theoutdoorscompany.co.uk or email sales@theoutdoorscompany.co.uk   telephone 01270 757890   Wildlife & Countryside Services provide a wide range of services and materials for countryside management, including: trees, planting, pruning and felling; hedge planting and laying; wildflowers, shrubs and trees; pond liners; protected species surveys; and much more!! Check us out at www.wildlifeservices.co.uk, email martin.bailey@wildlifeservices.co.uk, or call us on 0845 2300 927.   Elmcroft Tree Nursery A family run tree nursery situated in Newent, Gloucestershire specialising in growing native trees, woodland shrubs and hedge plants using the rootrainer system.  Seed sourced from the best UK suppliers or gathered locally.  Suppliers to local authorities, conservationists, large land owners, farmers etc. website: treesatelmcroft.co.uk email: elmcroft@supanet.com Tel: 01531 820454.   Specialist growers of bare-root and cell-grown forest trees. Genetically superior commercial conifers. Wide range of UK provenance native broadleaves and Caledonian pine. Hedging mixes and tree protection accessories. UK wide delivery service. Contact us on 01309 672 633, sales @christie-elite.co.uk or visit our website www.christie-elite.co.uk for more information and our online shop.

You can find details of Tree Identification courses online on the CJS short course pages

A4 sides this CJS Focus:    20     -           Details believed correct but given without prejudice, Ends.