Trees form an important part of the town
 environment and adjacent areas. There are over 50 TPOs (tree Protection Orders applying to Emsworth. A full list can be viewed HERE and detail advice and guidance published by Havant Borough Council HERE

Recently there has been a move to set up a tree warden scheme to enable Emsworth Residents to take an active part in appreciating the arboreal aspect of the town
.  Initiated by Francis Jannaway of  Brook Meadow Conservation group the first meeting was held on May 19th where The Tree Council's Tree Warden Scheme was discussed.

Tree Wardens are a national force of local volunteers dedicated to their communities' trees
• in town, city and countryside across the UK.
The Tree Warden Scheme gives people who feel that trees matter an opportunity to:
• champion their local trees and woods
• play an active role in protecting and improving them
• involve their neighbours in tree projects
• get together with like-minded people for training, field trips and practical activities.

If you are interested in getting involved please contact Francis: Tel: 01243 430314, Email: brettellf@ntlworld.com.  Information about the scheme published by BTCV can be viewed HERE or visit: www.treecouncil.org.uk

Trees for the Future
A Chinese proverb says that the best time to plant a tree was 10 years ago and the next best time is now. But what type of trees should we plant as climate change becomes a reality? The Tree Council’s SE Regional Forum held at Kew Gardens in October this year was called ‘Trees and Climate Change’. According to Derek Patch of the Tree Advice Trust, we do not know the full extent of climate change or how it will affect trees in the future so we should look after our existing trees and plant for the current conditions.
We are very fortunate in Emsworth to have many beautiful trees most of which are in private gardens, along roads, in parks, woods and other open spaces. All these trees are an important part of the landscape, townscape and street scene. Take for example the very beautiful London Plane tree in the front garden of a house on Havant Road opposite the junction with Record Road. This tree has recently been protected by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) because of its amenity value. Trees in large gardens are constantly under threat from development, such as those in the gardens of 50 Bath Road, 26 New Brighton Road and 58 Horndean Road. Fortunately, the Tree Officer at HBC has put TPOs on several of the trees in these gardens. But putting a TPO on a tree does not necessarily protect the tree for the life of that tree.

Unfortunately, not only developers consider trees to be dispensable. Perfectly healthy, mature trees are cut down, for example because the householder cannot cope with the fallen leaves. This says a lot about the culture we live in.
Trees along pavements, roads and streets are the responsibility of Hampshire County Council (HCC) Highways Department. You may have noticed that the four Lombardy Poplars which were felled along Havant Road earlier this year because they were considered to be diseased and therefore a hazard by HCC’s tree consultants, have been replaced with five disease resistant Elms. In addition, three mature trees, including a wonderful Scots Pine, have been felled on Warblington Road also for reasons of highway safety. It is not certain whether these trees will be replaced because of lack of space. Emsworth Tree Wardens are working with the ECB to improve communications with the Highways Department of HCC about highway tree management.
Emsworth Tree Wardens are also involved with several tree planting projects, including helping to plant 110 Hawthorn saplings and a Hazel coppice at James Road allotments, Bedhampton during national tree planting week. Other tree planting projects are: helping Emsworth Primary School with advice, donating sapling Oak trees grown from seed collected in Emsworth and providing tree growing equipment. See Caroline Fisk’s article on page 5. The group has also been involved in cooperation with the ECB and Andrew Skeet of HBC in suggesting trees to be planted on Emsworth Recreation Ground on Horndean Road. A line of Field Maples and Wild Cherries were planted last winter and several more will be planted this winter together with some Oaks and Limes.
The group is also currently writing an Emsworth Tree Trail booklet which we will publish early next year to encourage local people as well as visitors to appreciate trees in their immediate environment. The funding for this project has been obtained from the Havant Conservation Action Project. The booklets will be available at libraries, bookshops, tourist information centres, schools, hotels, etc.
Finally, if you are interested in learning more about trees and especially which trees to plant for the current conditions, I would like to encourage you to come to a talk by Jon Stokes of the Tree Council on Monday 4th February 2008, 7.30pm at the Brookfield Hotel. He is an excellent speaker.

Frances Jannaway
The EMS Januaary 2008