What are Tree Wardens?
The Tree Warden Scheme is a national initiative which enables volunteers to play an active role in conserving and enhancing their local trees and woods. The scheme was founded by the Tree Council and is coordinated by the them with the support of National Grid and the government department Communities and Local Government.
Tree Wardens are volunteers, appointed by parish or district councils or other community organisations, who gather information about their local trees, get involved in local tree matters and encourage local practical projects to do with trees and woods.
Are Tree Wardens a new idea?
The Tree Warden Scheme was establish in 1989. Today, there are 8,000 TWs volunteering in 135 local networks. There are 9 networks in Essex and EFDC has coordinated a tree warden scheme since 1994.
Who do the Epping Forest Tree Wardens respond to? District or Parish?
Epping Forest District Council coordinates the Epping Forest Tree Wardens (TWs) on behalf of the tree charity The Tree Council. Across the country tree warden groups are run by local councils which in the main tend to be district. Paul Hewitt, Countryside Manager, Countrycare and Melinda Barham, Technical Officer, Tree Section coordinates the Epping Forest Tree Warden Scheme. However, in the spirit of partnership and achieving more together TWs are encourage to talk to and work with their local parish and town council's.
What do Tree Wardens do? And what are their duties, responsibilities and powers?
All tree wardens are volunteers and EFDC does not give them any powers or specific duties. TWs are encouraged to work under four broad categories – information gathering, local liaison, practical projects and protecting trees. We also encourage them to take up issues that interest them or initiatives that EFDC and the Tree Council are promoting. For example, at the moment we are concentrating on the veteran tree hunt recording all the district's old trees. We do also encourage the TWs to be “our” eyes and ears on the ground and let EFDC Tree Officers know if there are any issues or areas where think things may be going wrong.
Why are the Parish or Town Council consulted about new Tree Wardens?
From time to time Clerks will receive contact details of new volunteers who wish to be TWs. We do this so that local parish and town councils can informally vet volunteers and can let us know if there are any issues with that volunteer. Basically, we would like approval that you are be unhappy to work with this volunteer. You then know who your TWs are and hopefully you can work with them on all tree related issues.
Do they cost Local Councils anything?
The TWs are all volunteers and as such give their time for free. Countrycare and the Tree Council bears the cost of publications, coordinating the scheme and training the TWs.
Who trains the Tree Wardens and what training do they get?
Staff from Countrycare and Tree Officers based in Planning organise a regular programme of training events through the year for the TWs. In addition, there is a range of publications that the TWs are also given. Wardens are encouraged to attend these training days as well as two open meetings held each year and an AGM.
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