Our ambitious plan is to encourage the planting of at least 70 trees during the Platinum Jubilee year. This leaflet provides details of the support we are providing to encourage members of our community to plant a tree.
Our Jubilee plant a tree campaign was given a huge boost through the Jubilee weekend activities on the village green. By the end of the celebrations we had over 60 pledges to plant a tree and we recorded the locations of the trees to be planted on a large map.
The Value of Trees Trees are vital. As the biggest plants on the planet, they give us oxygen, store carbon, stabilise the soil and give life to the world’s wildlife. They also provide us with the materials for tools and shelter. It’s critical that woodlands, rainforests and trees in urban and rural settings are preserved and sustainably managed, and where damaged our woodlands are restored and encouraged to regenerate. Trees benefit health The canopies of trees act as a physical filter, trapping dust and absorbing pollutants from the air. Each individual tree removes up to 1.7 kilos every year. They also provide shade from solar radiation and reduce noise. Over 20 species of British trees and shrubs are known to have medicinal properties. The oil from birch bark, for example, has antiseptic properties. Research shows that within minutes of being surrounded by trees and green space, your blood pressure drops, your heart rate slows and your stress levels come down. Trees benefit the environment They absorb carbon dioxide as they grow and the carbon that they store in their wood helps slow the rate of global warming. They reduce wind speeds and cool the air as they lose moisture and reflect heat upwards from their leaves. It’s estimated that trees can reduce the temperature in a city by up to 7°C. Trees also help prevent flooding and soil erosion, absorbing thousands of litres of stormwater. Trees increase biodiversity by creating a multitude of microhabitats. When young, they offer habitation and food to amazing communities of birds, insects, lichen and fungi. When ancient, their trunks also provide the hollow cover needed by species such as bats, woodboring beetles, tawny owls and woodpeckers. Trees strengthen communities by strengthen the distinctive character of a place and encourage local pride. Urban woodland can be used as an educational resource and to bring groups together for activities like walking and bird-watching. Trees are also invaluable for children to play in and discover their sense of adventure. Trees are connect us to the past and the future Not only are trees essential for life, but as the longest living species on earth, they give us a link between the past, present and future. Some of the trees around our village are likely to be several hundred years old |
GOOGLE EARTH
BETCHWORTH TREES INTERACTIVE MAP You can see where we have planted trees by clicking here CONTRIBUTIONS Click on the photos to find out more |
When our trees lose their leaves
losing_leaves.pdf |