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 Sat 20th Jun 2009

 Plymouth Tree Partnership’s work to improve public spaces was recognised when it won the environmental prize during national Volunteers’ Week.

The awards ceremony was held in the Roland Levinsky building, Plymouth University, on 2nd June. Partnership chairman, Andrew Young, received the engraved glass plate from The Herald Editor, Bill Martin, watched by several Tree Wardens among the invited audience.

Plymouth Tree Partnership was nominated for the award after it had worked with St Budeaux Rainbow Group to plant trees in St Budeaux Park. Andrew said the project showed how good ideas from communities can be turned into practical outcomes and that everyone can take pleasure in making that happen. He added that Tree Wardens looked forward to working with more community groups in the future.

	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?

	Quality west end landscape Published on Sat 31st Jan 2009

 Plymouth Tree Partnership chairman Andrew Young has welcomed the news that more than 65 trees are going to be planted in the West End as part of the area’s makeover due to start in March. He said the scheme confirmed that trees are a key feature of any quality landscape and they would prove to be a sound investment in the area’s regeneration.

	City Centre Area Action Plan Published on Sat 31st Jan 2009

 Plymouth Tree Wardens were one of the local groups that commented on the latest draft of the City Centre Area Action Plan. You can see what they and other people said by following this link: http://plymouth.consult.limehouse.co.uk/portal/ldf/ccaap/ccaap

	Plymouth Tree Officer features on BBC1's Inside Out Published on Sat 31st Jan 2009

 Plymouth Tree Officer, Chris Knapman, featured on BBC1’s “Inside Out” on 28th January. The programme picked out some of the best trees in the region and Chris explained what made each of them special. In Plymouth he showed how the shape of Smeaton’s Tower was modelled on a local oak tree – a clever design.