Welcome!

Welcome to our website! Here you'll find news about local trees, Haringey's Tree Warden Scheme, and a wealth of related useful information. [See who's visited our website and where from].

Visit to Hackney Tree Nursery : Saturday 3 July 2010, at 12 midday

As you may know, there is an exciting new plan to create a tree nursery in Finsbury Park. For more information see http://transitionfinsburypark.org.uk/nursery where you can also sign up to be kept informed or get more involved.

So this month, instead of our usual stroll around the trees of Haringey, we're going to visit Hackney Tree Nursery for inspiration and education.

The open session is from 12 to 3, and there's more information on their webpage here http://www.clubplan.org/CMS/page.asp?org=2673&name=TNFGHomepage

The Tree Nursery is next to the Marshes car park on Homerton Road. Buses 308 and W15 stop near by; 236 and 276 stop by Kingsmead, a few minutes walk away. Look forward to seeing you there!

(02/07/2010) [Back to Top]

New Street Trees need WATER !

Please remember that new street trees in the borough require a lot of water to help them establish. After planting, the Council water them with 35 litres of water 4 to 5 times during the first year. After this they need all the help they can get, so if there is a new street tree near your house it would be really great if you could give it some water during very dry spells. Thanks!

(02/07/2010) [Back to Top]

Poplars (formerly) on the Parkland Walk

More tree destruction: this a recent e-mail from one of our members in Muswell Hill about two Poplars; 

 Two of the massive Lombardy Poplar specimens on the Parkland Walk
 by Cranley Gardens are gone.  One is felled, and the other has been
 so pruned it looks like a trunk with just a few short stubs of
 branches left.  The location of this tree-crime is an 'extended
 back garden' (ie a bit of formerly public open land which has been
 sequestrated by some judicious fence-movement).  It is on the UDP
 map as Parkland Walk (which is MOL, local nature reserve etc), and
 also inside Muswell Hill Conservation Area.  However, the house
 adjoining the Parkland Walk at that point (4 Cranley Gardens which
 is outside the conservation area) had done an extended back garden.


 I just spoke to 4 Cranley Gardens' tree surgeons.  They said the
 poplars' roots had been damaged and as a result there was fungal
 infection but only at the base of the trees. The damage was in
 their view entirely avoidable and would have been due to either
 previous tree works (Lombardy Poplars shouldn't normally be
 pollarded), or possibly physical damage to the roots when the
 extended fence was put in.


It's sad isn't it! I'm concerned that many other Council-owned trees are also at risk because the Council is turning a blind eye to encroachments.

(14/06/2010) [Back to Top]

Lee Valley Regional Park : countryside and wildlife themed event

WHEN: The event will take place on the weekend of the 25th and 26th September on Leyton Marsh, behind Lee Valley Ice Centre, Lea Bridge Road, Leyton, London E10 7QL.

We have for several years now run a Countryside Live event for 3000 primary school children which aims to reconnect children with the Countryside and to educate them about all aspects from farming to sheepdogs and wildlife. This event historically takes place on the Wednesday and Thursday in the 3rd week of September. This event is run in partnership with the Countryside Foundation for Education (CFE) and their website has images and details of the event here http://www.countrysidelive.org.uk/LeeValley/leevalleymain.htm.

A programme was also made by the Country Channel at the event last year and can be seen here http://www.countrychannel.tv/player.php/?player=TheNewCountryChannel&ct=1&ids=299374

Due to increasing interest over the schools event, the Regional Park has decided to extend this event for the first time and open it up to the public over the weekend. The key aims and objectives of the extension of this event are to provide the local and regional community a platform to better understand and learn about the countryside in a fun and safe environment – all the things that the school event achieves in reality – rolled out to a wider family audience.

The event will remain free for children but we are going to make a small charge of £3 for every adult - all activities on site will then be free of charge and we envisage that activities will mainly be run on a first come, first served basis but we would be happy to discuss and fit in with each exhibitor as required.

In terms of marketing the event, we have highlighted the event in our ‘What’s On’ events guide. We print 120,000 of these and have distributed over 100k throughout London, Herts and Essex, the Regional Park’s catchment area. We will also specifically target the schools and the children attending the schools event with flyers encouraging them and their families to return at the weekend.

We will also programme a series of local and regional adverts and press releases, hoping to attract media interest and a varied and wide audience as this type of event is most unusual for an area, just 6 miles from central London and on the doorstep of Olympic Park.

For partner countryside/wildlife organisations we are willing to host you in a marquee free of charge, but ask in return that you make your exhibit as interactive as possible for the wide age range and levels of knowledge that the event will attract.

I hope that your organisation would consider attending the event. Please email me to register your interest and I will forward on the appropriate booking form.

If you would like to discuss the event, your involvement or have any other questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

If you would also like to find out more about the schools event and the possibility of attending, please let me know and I will pass your details to the CFE.

Vicki Sage - Events Officer
Direct: 01992 709913    Mobile: 07770 315973

Lee Valley Regional Park Authority
Myddelton House, Bulls Cross, Enfield, Middlesex EN2 9HG
Tel: 01992 717 711    Fax: 01992 709922
http://www.leevalleypark.org.uk

(08/05/2010) [Back to Top]

2010 - The Year of the Tiger and Haringey's Year of the TPO

Some trees enjoy special legal protection, either by virtue of growing in conservation areas or because their particular contribution to the environment is so special that a Tree Preservation Order is made by the local authority. This TPO becomes part of the documentation attached to the Deeds of a property and imposes a legal duty of protection on the owner of the property.

Whenever a planning application is submitted to the local authority questions are asked about the presence of protected trees. A protected tree may be considered so valuable that development plans may require changes which prevent damage to or removal of the tree.

Legislation specifies that hefty fines may be levied for infringement of TPOs and if a case goes to county court unlimited fines proprtionate to developer's projected profits, with no upper limit, are possible.

So TPOs should be useful tools in preserving our urban forest and act as informative documents accessible to the public as well as deterrents to unnecessary tree loss in developments and garden clearance.

That is why the Tree Trust for Haringey is this year focusing resources on bringing Haringey's TPO records up to date and in offering training to Tree Wardens and others, in identification of the TPO'd trees and maintenance of up to date records.

Date for your diary: TPO Training Session on Saturday, 5th June, 2010. Place and time to be confirmed.

(25/02/2010) [Back to Top]

Fruit 'full' Schools

Garden Organic say...

"We're working with the national charity 'Learning through Landscapes' and have developed an exciting new national project enabling thousands of children to establish heritage fruit orchards within their school grounds and in partnership with their local communities. The project, Fruit-full Schools, was recently awarded a National Lottery Local Food grant and started in January 2010.

"You can eat a different English apple every day for more than six whole years, yet the UK imports 69% of our apples - an 11% increase in a decade. Two thirds of orchards have been lost from England since the 1950s. This project will help counteract this massive loss by engaging pupils of 50 secondary schools and an army of apple volunteers to research local varieties, graft 2,000 new trees and establish sustainable orchards in 200 schools throughout England.

"A generation of children have become disconnected from nature, the seasons and where their food comes from. Fruit-full Schools will stimulate children’s knowledge and engage them in hands-on learning about the benefits of local fruit. 65,000 children will participate in festivals such as Wassailing, Apple Day and other creative celebrations across England. Schools will share experiences and access learning resources through the national Apple Club - the online hub of all activities - developed in partnership with the UK champion for local distinctiveness, Common Ground."

Find out more at http://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/e-news/fruitful.php

(14/02/2010) [Back to Top]

Trees for Communities and Trees for Schools grants

The Tree Council has announced that its Trees for Communities and Trees for Schools grant making programmes are now open for applications. Funds are available for schools and community groups in the UK who can show that children under 16 will be engaged in the planting projects. The Tree Council's National Tree Week is the focus for these projects and successful applicants organise their planting events in conjunction with the Tree Council’s annual celebration of the new tree planting season. The Tree Council can fund projects between £100 and £700 and successful applicants will receive up to 75% towards their planting costs. The remaining 25% will need to be secured by your school or organisation. Closing date is 31st March 2010. For more information go to http://www.treecouncil.org.uk/?q=grants

(14/02/2010) [Back to Top]

Recent newsletters

Tree Trust members, Tree Wardens and everyone on our email lists received our newsletters (slightly different editions as appropriate) at the beginning of January. Lots of the dates are still to come. Here it is (use your browser 'Back' button to return here):
Edition for everyone: [Tree Trust news January 2010].

If you don't already receive our newsletter by email when it's published, then please click on the 'News' cartoon on the right and sign up. It's free and if for any reason you no longer want to receive it you can unsubscribe at any time using the same link.

If you'd like to find out more about Haringey's Tree Wardens and their events, then please click the button on the left. All Tree Wardens receive their own edition of our newsletter and we'd be happy to sent it to you - please let us know by emailing us at web@ttfh.org.uk .

(30/01/2010) [Back to Top]

Edible Landscapes photos

Have just been posted by Mel: Edible Landscapes.

(30/01/2010) [Back to Top]

Update on 'Cecile Mews' planning appeal

The Inspector allowed the appeal by Paul Simon. The full story with update is here... Cecile Mews Appeal.

(11/1/2010) [Back to Top]

Report of Informal Event - Parkland Walk Tree ID Walk

We met at the Crouch End Hill bridge on Sat 9 Jan afternoon. Bracingly cold, with a snowy and sometimes slippery path, but a lovely time was had by all (well, we think so!). We started slowly, moving along, identifying both common and less usual trees and shrubs, with the aid of books brought by participants for the more difficult ones, and enjoying the whole aura of a frozen, beautiful, wild place in the middle of our bit of the city. We shared a rich, warming, peppery, spiced tea (thanks Julia!), but even that could not keep out the chill after an hour or so. With trees put slightly lower on our priorities for a bit, we increased our pace to Finsbury Park where we diverted to a large, warm and relaxed cafe (recommended! the 'Front Room Cafe', a short way down Tollington Road from Stroud Green Road) where coffees, cakes, and conversation assumed roughly equal importances.

We'd love to see you at our future events - do look at our Calendar and if you're free, what better way to enjoy a Saturday afternoon?!

(09/01/2010) [Back to Top]

Edible Landscapes

Fruit and Nut Trees : Plantings in Priory Park, Northumberland Park amongst others.

Watch this space for information including photos Edible Landscapes.

(03/01/2010) [Back to Top]

Our best wishes to all for a Happy and Tree-Filled New Year!

(1/1/2010) [Back to Top]

Priory Park tree planting Sat 28 Nov 2009

Tree planting in Priory Park, N8. (also see below for 'Celebration' Social afterwards)

This Saturday 28 November 2009 at 11am-12.30pm

Dear Friend

As part of National Tree Week, we will be planting 5 new trees in Priory Park, Hornsey, N8 on this Saturday 28th November, together with Haringey Tree Wardens and the Council's Arboricultural Service.

The trees to be planted are edible fruit and nut trees including Sweet Chestnut and Walnut.

All Tree Trust members, Tree Wardens and friends are invited to come along and help out. Tools will be provided.

The planting will take place between 11am-12.30pm. Please meet at the Bowling Green near the Priory Road entrance.

In addition to the planting, don't forget our 'Celebration' for everyone interested in trees, from 1 to 4pm, at the Union Church (upstairs). The Union Church is easy to get to, located at the corner of Weston Park and Ferme Park Road, on the W3 bus route (which also runs along Priory Road).

For the social event, please RSVP by e-mail to us at: info@ttfh.org.uk .

Kind regards

Peter Corley
Chair, Tree Trust for Haringey

(20/11/2009) [Back to Top]

PARTY! Tree Trust Social to celebrate National Tree Week

We're having a party to thank all our friends & members for their support over the last 13 years.

Food! Drink! Tree Nostalgia! Lovely people!

Please let us know you're coming at info@ttfh.org.uk

When : 1pm to 4pm.

Venue : "The Union Church & Community Centre", Weston Park, N8 9TA. [here]

Not a member yet? You can always join on the day!

(18/11/2009) [Back to Top]

Tree Trust AGM

Tree Trust for Haringey and Haringey Tree Wardens

Annual General Meeting 2009 (for members of the Tree Trust, but all welcome to attend)

Date: Saturday, 7th November, 2009

Venue: North Bank Methodist Church Centre, Pages Lane, Muswell Hill, N10

Start: 10.30 a.m.

AGENDA

AGM

1. Introduction, minutes of 2008 AGM
2. Short reports, including annual account 2008/9
3. Election (or re-election) of officers
i. Chairperson
ii. Vice-chair
iii. Secretary
iv. Treasurer
4. Election of up to five ordinary members
5. Appointment of independent examiner
6. Date of next committee meeting
7. Any other business (notified in advance)

11.30 a.m. approx: Tree Trust and Tree Wardens

After the meeting there will be time for refreshments before the talk on CAVAT at about 12 midday.

CAVAT

by Tim Moya, Arboricultural Consultant

CAVAT is a method for putting an economic value on trees. It's full name is Capital Asset Value for Amenity Trees. CAVAT is a tool that can help provide a better basis for decision-making about trees, for example, whether a particular tree affected by development should be retained or removed.

Coldfall Wood

At about 1.30 p.m. we will walk to Coldfall Wood (weather permitting) to consider the value of trees!

For further information, please email: info@ttfh.org.uk

AGM Documents available at: Tree Trust AGM 2009

(22/10/2009) [Back to Top]

Goodbye Chlorophyll....Hello Carotene and Anthocyanin!

Ever wonder why leaves change colour at this time of year?

All is revealed here: [here]

(04/10/2009) [Back to Top]

Apple Day Celebration : Saturday 17th October

Info [here]

Apple Day is an annual celebration of apples and orchards.

(24/09/2009) [Back to Top]

Call for Photographs!

Got an AUTUMN photo you're particularly proud of ? Then please send it to us here: web@ttfh.org.uk

It could be a single leaf turning colour, a clump of trees or whole landscapes..anything really. The more colourful the better! yellow, red, purple, pink, crimson, orange..

Best ones go into our BLOG for everyone to enjoy!

(21/09/2009) [Back to Top]

Autumn tree walk : Saturday 3rd October

The trees of Noel Park. Meet 2pm outside the Westbury pub (57 Westbury Avenue, London, N22 6SA‎).

(08/09/2009) [Back to Top]

David Bevan's new Botany course

Recommended! Starts September 21st 2009 in Highgate [info].

(08/09/2009) [Back to Top]

Tulip Tree - the story behind a new TPO

An alert local activist and responsive tree officers have together secured the protection of one of Haringey's special trees. Read the full story here Tulip Tree TPO.

(22/7/2009) [Back to Top]

Coldfall Coppice 2009 report available here

Those of you who have visited Coldfall Wood in the last couple of years will know just how big a change has been brought about in the whole feel of the woods. It was once a somewhat forbidding place, dark from the densely growing hornbeams, with a stream running in a narrow channel at the low point of the valley but contributing little to the ecology. You might well not have felt very welcome or wanted to explore. The coppicing project has transformed the wood. The stream has been opened out to form pools with a rich plant and insect life, and sunlight falls in many places onto the woodland floor encouraging a diverse flora. Overall, the woodscape is enchanting - a big transformation from one that might, only a few years ago, have been described as bewitched! The report has been prepared by David Bevan, who, when he was Haringey's Nature Conservation Officer, was instrumental in beginning the coppicing work with demonstration areas - building the experience and confidence of both local people and the experts involved to carry out the more extensive works. The report looks at the burgeoning plant species that have resulted from the coppicing. Click here to view, print or save your own copy of the report: [Coldfall Wood Coppice Report 2009]. The report is in PDF format, which you can open using the free 'reader' programme, which, if it is not already installed on your computer, is available for download here: PDF Reader.

(15/7/2009) [Back to Top]

Breaking News!

Plans to protect veteran Oak tree Info [here]

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Tree Trust at 'Cecile Mews' planning appeal

Once again the Tree Trust has spoken up for threatened trees. On this occasion, our Chair, Peter Corley, faced the professional word-brokers (consisting of clerks, officers, solicitors and barrister, all learned friends) and the impartial judge on these matters, the Inspector. The site was a backland area with garages and a dense treescape including a number of mature trees in which the developer proposes to build 'Cecile Mews'. The full story is here... Cecile Mews Appeal.

(24/6/2009) [Back to Top]

Downloadable Tree Trust hand-outs and posters

Now on site - a range of publicity materials describing the Tree Trust and our walks, from simple and basic to funny, and in a range of sizes including very small, also a convenient A5 size (ie half a 'standard' A4 sheet of paper). Please help publicise the Tree Trust and what we do. Do you know of local shops or noticeboards where one or more posters might be displayed? See publicity materials.

(11/6/2009) [Back to Top]

Downloadable Bits and Pieces

email signatures coming soon - bung them on the bottom of your emails to make a point ! [general resources]?

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Our last 'informal walk' was on Saturday 6 June in the Downhills Park and Downhills Way areas

Please look back here towards the end of this month for details of our next walk (first Saturday of month, 4th July). For the record, here's the description of our last walk...

The aim is to see examples of best and worst practice for trees growing in grassed areas "so that the message can be carried far and wide".

Over the years, the Tree Trust has made numerous representations to the Council to improve management when it is poor, but damage often continues. In addition, we not only hope to see several other sites where there are "tree issues", but also the nice iris nursery on the allotments. Do join us, to see the issues for yourself, and, just as important, to learn about the good practice and standards that would improve matters. We hope that, with this information, you'll be able to help trees in other parts of the borough.

Meet at 2pm at the north-west corner of the park at the junction of Belmont Road and Downhills Park Road.

For those of you who don't know this part of Haringey, the nearest tube, with many buses, is Turnpike Lane.

The arrow on the map shows the meeting point.

More information about our walks - Our Walks.

(28/5/2009) [Back to Top]

Report of Tree Warden event

The walk in Queen's Wood with David Bevan (former Haringey's Nature Conservation Officer, and a widely respected naturalist) on Sat 9th May was greatly enjoyed by all who attended. One of us took a few photos, and a few more are promised. Many thanks! See [Tree Wardens].

(11/4/2009) [Back to Top]

Bruce Castle Oak Tree - latest news

Soil decompaction and aeration across the root zone of this venerable and valued 400 year old tree will be carried out on Friday 8th May. In addition, over the following couple of weeks, the root zone area will be mulched with bark chippings. This is being done both to lessen the compacting effects of people's feet, and to produce a healthier environment around the tree. There will probably be a timber surround to help contain the layer of chippings.

This work is one of the recommendations made following the detailed tree inspection by Tim Moya, who is an independent expert brought in by the Council's Tree Officer, Alex Fraser.

The careful testing carried out by Tim Moya has also revealed significant areas of weakness in the main trunk, particularly in the parts of the trunk that support one of the massive side branches of this tree. If you look critically at the tree now, you can see that one side branch has grown out and then curves up to form a large part of the tree's upper canopy. It is a huge branch - on its own, larger than many other trees, and leaves you in awe of the strength of the wood that supports it. However, there is real concern that high winds could cause this very large branch to break out of the trunk. Not only would this greatly affect the appearance of the tree, but it would open up the trunk to decay, as well as reducing the tree's ability to generate the 'food' it needs to remain healthy.

Further work on this tree is likely over the next few months, including the reduction in size of some of the larger branches, and the possible cable or prop bracing of one or more of them.

In part, the problems being faced by the Bruce Castle Oak result from its solo position in the park. In a woodland, there would be more shading, and therefore less tendency for the side branches to develop to the very large sizes seen in this tree. There would also be considerable shielding from wind forces. A further factor encouraging the growth of the side branches in the Bruce Castle Oak was the loss, some decades in the past (date uncertain), of the top of the tree.

The Tree Trust is extremely pleased that this work is being done to take care of this important part of Haringey's heritage.

(5/4/2009) [Back to Top]

Next Tree Warden event

A walk in Queen's Wood with David Bevan (former Haringey's Nature Conservation Officer, and a widely respected naturalist) on Sat 9th May, meeting at 2pm at the Lodge (beside the Muswell Hill Road entrance, which is near the Builders Merchants).

The rest of this year's programme is in the process of being drawn up, but will include a visit to Hatfield Forest, and possibly a survey of a compartment of Queen's Wood.

(5/4/2009) [Back to Top]

Enjoyable and successful - our Informal Tree Walk at St Ann's Hospital

An enthusiastic group of Tree Trust members and Tree Wardens and local people were amazed by the collection of trees in the hospital grounds. However, not everything in the garden was rosy. A report will be here in the next day or so together with details of some actions those who visited think are needed and an offer to the hospital of advice and/or assistance with tree management. See below also.

(4/4/2009) [Back to Top]

Our website views increase more than a thousand-fold!!

Here's the latest Website Visitors numbers for our website - the old site (in December 2008), and the new (from mid-January 2009 to now). The number of page views has risen from just half a dozen over the whole of December to a total of over 8000 for the month of April (8215 in fact)!

(21/4/2009) [Back to Top]

Informal Tree Walk St Ann's Hospital

Sat 2nd May at 2pm. Let's take a look at the trees in the grounds of St Ann's Hospital. There are some interesting ones there. Meet outside the main entrance on St Ann's Road. Gemma will be there - mobile number 078 06 87 05 05. Bring your tree ID book too!

(17/4/2009) [Back to Top]

Send us your photos for 'Tree of the Week'

Haringey's trees 'as they are' - reflecting seasonal changes, the good, beautiful, damaged, interesting, educational - whatever attracts your notice, and a way of bringing that to others. Photos should be of Haringey trees, and taken in the last couple of days. Please send with a short description of species and location and any points of interest to web@ttfh.org.uk. For examples, see top left for This Week's Tree, which includes a link to previous photos.

(17/4/2009) [Back to Top]

Tree Wardens: Date for your Diary

Tree Warden event: Walk in Queen's Wood with David Bevan on Sat 9th May, meeting at the Lodge at 2pm (beside the Muswell Hill Road entrance). More info at Tree Wardens.

(17/4/2009) [Back to Top]

Welcome to our new website!

You'll find up-to-date information on Haringey's Trees and Tree Wardens here. We've kept the best of our old site, and we've added new things which we hope you'll find useful. Information will be updated regularly and other features are planned soon.

However, perhaps the biggest difference of all is that we've made nearly all the pages editable, so that any member can help add news, ideas, concerns and information. Please get in touch if you'd like to do this.

UPDATE - [Website views increase a thousand-fold]

(30/1/2009) [Back to Top]

New Chair for the Trust

Peter Corley is the new Chair of the Trust. Peter said:

I'm Peter Corley, proud new chair of the TTfH. I've been on the committee of the Trust for over a year, and living in Haringey for nearly 20. For most of that time I've been involved in green groups and community issues, including Tottenham and Wood Green Friends of the Earth, Friends of Lordship Rec, Neighbourhood Watch and RATTS ("rats?" you'll say - well, for those of you who don't know, the Residents Against the Twin Towers was a group which tried (unsuccessfully) to save from demolition the Victorian chapel and open space opposite Wood Green tube station and to stop (with partial success) the consequent block of flats). I'm glad to report we did manage to save at least one of the site's trees (a lovely Robinia). Luckily for me, your previous Chair, Mary Craine, is still very much involved in TTfH and willing to 'hold my hand' in my new role. As is the splendid committee. Thanks to you all.

Here are some of the things I'd like to do during the coming year:

We have several interesting Tree Wardens meetings for 2009, hopefully including tree planting, guided visits to Queen's Wood and Hatfield Forest, plus expert speakers.

Meanwhile, with the rest of the members of TTfH, I'll continue keeping a watch on the poor, beleagured, trees of Haringey and hopefully stop any more from being vandalised or destroyed.

Here's to a fruitful and tree-filled 2009!

(20/1/2009) [Back to Top]

Since 15 January 2010...
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Visitors in the first few months of 2009: Website Visitors