Tree Wardens

Tree Warden network in South Cambridgeshire

Tree Wardens are volunteers, appointed by parish councils or other community organisations, who gather information about their local trees, get involved in local tree matters and encourage local practical projects related to the trees and woods.

The Tree Warden Scheme is a national initiative to enable people to play an active role in conserving and enhancing their local trees and woods. The scheme was founded and is nationally co-ordinated by The Tree Council.

Who are The Tree Council?

The Tree Council are the UK’s leading charity for trees, promoting their importance in a changing environment. They work in partnership with communities, organisations and government to make trees matter to everyone.

The overall goal is to make trees matter to everyone and Tree Wardens are the key to achieving this.

Why are we involved?

We are the registered network coordinator for this area with The Tree Council.
As coordinators we aim to provide training tailored to local needs and keep parishes up-to-date on current tree issues.

Why should I be a Tree Warden?

Being a Tree Warden gives people who feel that trees matter an opportunity to be involved with trees in their local area. As the eyes and ears of their Parish, each Tree Warden decides on their level of involvement, areas of interest and what is useful to their neighbourhood.

What could a Tree Warden do?

There is no set job description or project for tree wardens - what they do varies from parish to parish, depending on the individual's strengths and interests. Some carry out tree surveys to generate a tree register for the parish and some go into schools to talk about trees and engage local children or lead a tree planting project. On the other hand, a tree warden may simply be a designated person who will react to tree issues when they occur within their parish. Examples of Tree Warden projects throughout the UK are:

Cherish 

• Create a tree trail of notable local trees and hedgerows
• Contribute to the Ancient Tree Hunt, Ancient Yew Group, The Great British Elm Search or The Tree Register
• Promote the National Tree Charter (24 November), the Tree Care Campaign (21 March to 21 September), Walk in the Woods (May), Seed Gathering Season (23 September - 23 October), National Tree Week (23 November - 1 December)
• Lead a tree and hedgerow trail
• Organise an oak apple day (29  May), Hanami (cherry blossom viewing) or apple day (21 October)
• Collect local history and stories relating to orchards, wood crafts, trees and woodlands
• Collect 'spare' fruits and make food or drink products
• Teach others basic tree identification
• Create tree or hedgerow art, music, crafts or writing
• Identify old fruit tree cultivars
• Organise a photography or art competition

Maintain

• Monitor Ash Dieback and other pests and diseases
• Tree surveys 
• Undertake simple pruning
• Water newly planted trees, check ties and maintain mulch circles
• Calculate a villages tree canopy cover
• Circulate information and news about trees to other residents
• Identify 'important hedgerows' in the parish due to their age, provision of habitat or associations with historical landscapes
• Monitor and record endangered, vulnerable and rare associated species such as bats, butterflies, lichens, beetles, mosses, hedgerow herbs for OPAL (Open Air Laboratories) or CPERC (Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Environmental Records Centre)

Enhance

• Plant hedgerows, trees, orchards, forest gardens, micro-woods and woods
• Apply for grants
• Organise tree planting parties
• Comment on planning applications
• Grow and supply trees of local provenance
• Promote local wood crafts
• Graft new fruit trees or prune old ones
• Create a parish tree strategy

How do I become a Tree Warden?

Please contact your Parish Council and let them know you are interested. As the Tree Wardens are Parish champions, all communication from us will be via the Parish Council Clerk.

For more information on becoming a Tree Warden, download [PDF, 6.5MB]The Tree Council's Tree Warden Scheme leaflet.

I don't live in South Cambs

Cambridge City Council have various volunteer opportunities in open spaces. 

You might also be interested in some local organisations such as: 

• Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire Wildlife Trust
• Suffolk Wildlife Trust
• RSPB Royal Society of Protection
• PECT  
• Cambridge Conservation Volunteers

How to look up a Tree Preservation Order (TPO)

Please follow the instructions  on how to access the information for TPOs.

How to look up a Tree Works Application or Notification

Please follow the instructions on how to access the information for a Tree Works application or notification.