Tree Wardens

What is the Tree Warden scheme?

The National Grid Tree Warden Scheme is a scheme to involve volunteers in protecting and managing their local trees. Epping Forest District Council runs the scheme locally, but it is co-ordinated nationally by The Tree Council.

 Where did the Scheme start?

The Tree Warden Scheme began in the early 1980s in East Sussex and Leicestershire. The object of the Scheme was to create a network of informed people who could co-ordinate local tree based environmental improvements on behalf of the County Council. In 1989 the Tree Council initiated a National Tree Warden Scheme, based on the East Sussex model. It has grown and spread with enormous speed and 12 years later there are 8000 Tree Wardens in 118 Local Authorities. 

What do Tree Wardens do?

The tasks in which the Tree Council recommend that a Tree Warden might become involved fall within four broad headings:-

• Gathering information, Tree Wardens either collate existing information, or undertake surveys to discover as much as possible about the location, species, age and condition of the woodland and the non-woodland trees in their area. 
• Local liaison, Tree Wardens feed the information rapidly to the community, thus improving communications between the public and the tree professionals.
• Practical projects, some Tree Wardens like to spend their time organising, or encouraging others to organise, practical tree projects. Acting as a catalyst is an important part of this task because the Tree Wardens alone cannot hope to undertake personally all the possible projects.
• Protecting trees, Tree Wardens can provide a vital service by informing Councils of tree diseases, infringements of Tree Preservation Orders and planning consents which require trees to be retained. 

How do I get involved in Epping Forest District?

Contact us for details of how to get involved at trees@eppingforestdc.gov.uk

Who Is my local Tree Warden?

Contact us for details of who to contact your local Tree Warden to get involved at trees@eppingforestdc.gov.uk

Where can I find out more information?

Visit the Tree council website .