The Plymouth Tree Partnership brings together organisations, groups and individuals who want to conserve and improve the city's trees.

Trees are a key feature of any regeneration programme and, in towns and cities across the world, the involvement of local communities and key partners has been shown to be vital. Plymouth Tree Partnership achieves this through its Tree Warden network and other initiatives, which help people to make a difference where they live.

	Plymouth Tree Partnership wins volunteering award Published on Fri 18th Jun 2010

 Tree Warden, Gloria Dixon, was named Environmental Volunteer of the Year at the annual Inspiring Volunteering Awards evening in the Levinsky building at Drake Circus on 2nd June.

She received the engraved glass plate for her work leading the School Trees Programme. This helps governors, teachers and parents improve their school grounds by planting more trees and hedges.

Gloria said the award reflected the tremendous efforts by many others with a shared ambition to make school grounds more park-like and stimulate children’s interest in the natural world. She said that Plymouth Tree Partnership had worked with eight schools over the last year and plans to take on more projects in the coming months.

	Team Trees at Staddiscombe Published on Mon 07th Dec 2009

 Seventy people planted 1000 trees in one hour at Staddiscombe sports pitches on Saturday, 5th December. It was a local contribution to the BBC Breathing Places event “Tree O’Clock” which saw nearly half a million trees planted across Britain between 11.00 am and midday. Plymstock Albion Oaks Ladies led the planting supported by the University Sports Teams, BTCV, Tree Wardens, Scott Wilson and Plymouth City Council. Nearby residents and dog walkers were among those helping.

The Oaks Ladies’ Captain, Soulein Soper, praised everyone for their contribution. She said the trees would grow into a shelter belt for the windy site and make a big difference for people playing and walking there.

Jeremy Sabel, the City Council’s Nature Conservation Officer, said that the selection of native tree species – oak, beech, thorn and hazel – would do much to encourage wildlife and lend interest to the landscape.

Andrew Young, Plymouth Tree Partnership’s chairman, said that the planting had been a combined effort but it could not have happened without the professional support of the Parks Services department. He said the challenge now was to get the trees established and asked anyone who visited the site regularly to consider becoming a Tree Warden. “It’s vital to have 2 or 3 people who know what to look for and can commit to visiting every couple of weeks or so.”

	High-quality public spaces planned for City Centre Published on Tue 29th Sep 2009

 Plymouth Tree Wardens have backed the emphasis that is placed on achieving high-quality public spaces in the final version of the City Centre and University Area Action Plan.

With a detailed Public Realm Framework due to follow, they want all planning documents to recognise the role of trees in creating perspectives, framing views, dividing and linking spaces, while imparting a sense of pleasantness and belonging.

You can see what Tree Wardens said by following this link: http://plymouth.consult.limehouse.co.uk/portal/ldf/ccaap/ccaap09

	Parks Friends meet at Forum Published on Fri 25th Sep 2009

 Parks Friends – groups and individuals who champion parks in Plymouth – are being invited to a meeting of the Parks Forum on 22nd October.

The groups will be able to say what they want most for their park and how they can work with others on common goals. Plymouth Tree Partnership will be among the groups involved.

Paul Todd, Manager of the Green Flag Award Scheme, will be the guest speaker at the meeting and explaining what it takes to achieve the prestigious “Green Flag” standard.

More information about the Parks Forum can be obtained by e-mailing "parksforum at plymouthtrees dot org" or ringing 01752-227992.

	Tree News comes to Plymouth Published on Mon 04th May 2009

 Plymouth Tree Partnership features in the spring edition of Tree News. When the magazine wanted to profile the issues around urban tree management, the Tree Council suggested that its news team came to Plymouth to see how volunteer Tree Wardens and Council Officers work together to conserve and improve the city’s trees.

Andrew Young, the Partnership’s chairman, said the key to success was understanding the strengths and limitations of each group and sharing information freely. “Getting young trees established requires a regular, sustained commitment over several years and volunteer Tree Wardens are usually well-placed carry out the simple tasks like keeping the soil moist and stems clear of grass,” he said. “It’s like gardening but on a community scale. It means the Council can concentrate on work where their professional training is needed.”

Tree News can be ordered at newsagents or on-line at http://www.newsstand.co.uk. There is also a telephone order line 0844 844 0087. With plenty of amazing pictures and interesting facts, it is well worth taking out a subscription.

	Plymouth Tree Wardens celebrate 200 years of the Bramley apple Published on Wed 15th Apr 2009

 Did you know that 2009 is the bicentenary of the Bramley apple? British to the core, it is a staple ingredient of many food products and well worth celebrating for its taste, versatility and contribution to the nation’s economy. To mark the occasion, Plymouth Tree Wardens have arranged for horticulturist, Celia Steven, whose great grandfather raised the first Bramley apple trees, to lead them on a visit to a local community orchard. This is taking place in mid-May when the trees will be in full blossom.

The original Bramley apple tree still stands in Nottinghamshire and there is one in a Plymouth garden that is well over 100 years old. The 26 trees in the community orchard are much younger – about ten years old – but they provide enough apples for plenty of healthy school dinners. As Celia says: “It’s local produce with flavour – fresh, tangy and individual.”

	More tree record locations. Published on Sat 21st Mar 2009

 Development of this site continues and more pictures have been added to the Tree Record.

The record will grow into a solid reference source as well as being an interesting place to visit. For that to happen we need your help. Now that trees are coming into leaf, why not get out with your camera and take some pictures that show how trees lend character to a place you know well?