Tree wardens are volunteers appointed by their parish council to:
- be a contact and support for all things tree related in their local area;
- protect trees by reporting on early signs of pests, disease and vandalism;
- gather information, survey and record information about trees important for wildlife or heritage in their parish;
- help look out for opportunities to plant more trees in the local community, enhancing the environment for parishioners;
- help find the money to fund local tree planting projects, e.g. the Tree Council have grants only available to tree wardens;
- get involved in campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of trees.
Stones Stepping
Trees are important in your parish because they:
- provide a habitat for wildlife;
- provide shade and shelter for people;
- can muffle sound effectively;
- are appreciated by local people for their beauty and the sense of wellbeing they bring;
- and can increase the property value of homes by up to 15% or more.**
The Tree Council (lead organisation for the National Tree Warden Scheme) recognised the value of Leicestershire’s tree wardens back in 1981 and made the tree warden scheme a national initiative.
The parish council supports their tree wardens by:
- including them in discussions about tree matters;
- inviting them to attend parish/town council meetings and report any tree related matters;
- support them with any necessary resources needed to carry out their volunteering (within reason);
- and ensure that they are covered for health and safety and insurance as a parish/ town council volunteer.
For more information email treewarden@sheepyparish.com
