The 2024 Urban Tree Festival

Saturday 11th May

9:30am & 4:30pm - Plymouth Central Park & its Trees
Guided Walk tree walk through Central Park with local expert and Plymouth Tree People trustee Andrew Young.
Walk - Book Here

11:00 - Churchill Gardens: An Architectural Utopia Among the Trees

A guided walk around the Churchill Gardens Estate, one of the finest, and greenest modernist estates in the UK, with Paul Wood.
Walk - Buy Tickets

2:00 - Discover Londinium's Mulberry Trees

This walk traces London’s Roman and Saxon heritage using mulberry trees as waypoints. We take in several medieval Guilds (Livery companies) as well.

Walk - Buy Tickets

TBC - Fences & Frontiers Epping Forest Walk - UTF Funded Event
Fences & Frontiers join us again in 2024 for a guided tree walk for refugees in Epping Forest. Walk for Never Walk Alone Group led by Sam Taylor, Sydenham Hill Wood Project Officer (London Wildlife Trust). Discovering the wildlife and history of the Great North Wood, from One Tree Hill to Sydenham Hill Wood following an old railway line.

Walk - By invitation only

TBC - Inclusive Nature Cycle - UTF Funded Event
Join CPRE London along the national cycle route in south London, for this inclusive nature cycle suitable for all. Anyone who finds it easier to cycle than walk is encouraged to come along and discover the excitement of urban tree hunting!
Accessible Ride - Booking Opens Soon

2:00 - 5.30pm - Explore the Great Urban Forest
This Unique InspiralLondon walking exploration with JD Swann, passes the ancient trees of Epping Forest from Forest Gate to Hollow Ponds and on towards Leytonstone.
Walk - Book here

10:30 - Special Trees Walk - Brighton
Local Brighton resident and tree expert Alister Peters is your guide for this look at some of our city’s most special trees.
Walk - SOLD OUT

2:00 & 3:00 - Withdean Park Lilac Walk - Brighton
Formerly designated as the ‘National Lilac Collection’ by the National Council for the Conservation of Plants and Gardens. Friends of Withdean Park are working to identify its 250+ types of lilac in the park.
Guided Walk - SOLD OUT

11.00 - Apple Orchard Walk: National Collection of Sussex Apples - Brighton
Join Peter May for a guided walk through the Home Farm Orchard and Meadow Orchard. Peter is a horticulturalist who has propagated more than 1,000 Sussex apple trees.
Guided Walk - SOLD OUT

Sunday 12th May

10:30 - Guided Walk: A Celebration of Epping Forest
Judy Adams and Neal Glucksmann-Smith will lead visitors on a moderate walk through the Forest looking at the ancient trees in this special area of conservation.
Walk - Book Here

11:00 - Churchill Gardens: An Architectural Utopia Among the Trees

A guided walk around the Churchill Gardens Estate, one of the finest, and greenest modernist estates in the UK, with Paul Wood.
Walk - Buy Tickets

2:00 - InspiralLondon William Morris Trail via Walthamstow across Waltham Forest
The park was originally the garden and grounds surrounding William Morris’ childhood home; an inspiration for his love of nature. We’ll spend some time looking at variety of tree leaves and thinking of patterns of nature central to Arts & Crafts movement.
Walk - Book here

5:00 - The Street Tree x Fruity Walks - Film Screening, Walk & Talk
Paul Wood (aka The Street Tree) and Divya Hariramani (aka Fruity Walks) made a film with London National Park City’s Michael Shilling introducing some of the amazing trees in Shoreditch and the City. Starting with London’s first Lemon tree planted on the street - join us for a guided tour, followed by film showing and talk.
Film Screening, Walk & Talk - Booking here

10:00 - Wilding Waterhall – Explore, walk & talk - Brighton
Explore Brighton’s newest nature reserve with ranger Paul Gorringe. Join us up on the Downs to discover why trees are important in a landscape dominated by ancient grassland habitats.
Walk & Talk - Book here

2.00 - Birds & Bees - Hove Park Café, Brighton
Come and find out more about the lives of our bees and birds and how we can all help them thrive.
Free - No booking required

2.00 - Music of the trees The Lewes Road Inn, Brighton
Relax and join well-known community songwriter and musician, Robb Johnson, for a fun session of music and poetry about trees at the Lewes Road Inn.
Free - No booking required

Monday 13th May

6:30 - London Circular Walk

A three mile circular walk around the City of London, from the Bank of England, that considers the City's urban trees, with Des Garrahan.
Walk - Book Here

1.00pm - Drawing Trees: An Experimental drawing workshop led by artist Ruth Broadbent
A fun and experimental online drawing workshop, led by artists Ruth Broadbent - if you are searching for ideas on how to approach walking and drawing in a creative and experimental way, this workshop will offer a range of techniques to try out on your next walk.
Webinar - Booking opens soon

Tuesday 14th May

1.00pm - The Battle to Save the Darwin Oak
Tree hunter Rob McBride campaigner for the protection of the UK's ancient trees leads the fight to save this 550-year-old oak from a bypass.
Webinar - Booking opens soon

1.00 - 3.00pm - Accessible Guided Tree Walk in Devonport Park - Plymouth
An accessible event for everyone, including older people and those with disabilities. Join the Friends of Devonport Park and arboriculturalist Matt Underwood on an informative gentle walk around the park's trees.
Walk - Book here

3.00pm - Wembley Park Walkabout

Join Julian Tollast, Head of Masterplanning and Design at Quintain, on this exclusive tour of the newly completed Olympic Way, looking at the technical challenges involved in Urban Tree Planting and maintenance at this scale.
Walk - Book Here

6.30pm - Historical Woodland Characters Creative Walkshop with Soobie Whitfield
A guided, sunset trail around the parkland of Castle Bromwich Hall, Birmingham, exploring its veteran trees and imagining the stories of the people who planted, harvested and strolled beneath them over the centuries.
Walkshop - Free - Book here

19.00 - 21.00pm - Climate Chronicles: Rainforests, Rain & Hidden Forces - Leeds
Ever wondered what came first, the rainforest or rain? Join us for an enlightening talk by Dr. Robin Hayward, exploring rainforest’s role in shaping climate.
Talk - Book here

Wednesday 15th May

TBC - Tree Musketeers Community Tree Nursery
The Tree Musketeers voluntary group based in Hackney will host three short tours of their Community Tree Nursery during this year’s Urban Tree Festival. Featuring hundreds of trees grown at the nursery, many of which are planted in parks, estates and other green spaces across Hackney.
Guided Tour - Book here…

1.00 - Tree ID Walk at Kennington Park
Join in learning the art of tree identification and pick up some hints and tips to help you develop your skills. No tree identification experience required!
Guided Walk - Free - Book here…

5.30 - Marvel at the Trees of Finsbury Park with Author Paul Wood
Finsbury Park has many interesting mature trees, reflecting its long and varied history; old London Planes dating back to 1869, Oaks, Willows and Poplars that would have been part of the ancient Hornsey Woods on which site the park was established… Find out more with Paul Wood.
Walk - Booking opens soon!

12.30 - 14.30pm - Roots & Resilience: Somers Town, St Pancras - UTF Funded Event
This friendly and inclusive creative writing workshop is for anyone who wants time and headspace to spark their creativity. Think about your connection to nature in the city and what self-care reminders you need when life gets hectic.
Workshop - Free - Book here

6:30 - Tree, Health & Heritage Trail in Radford Woods

Discover the benefits of many trees, both rare and common with the Friends of Radford Wood with this fascinating guided walk.
Walk - Book Here

7:00 - Finding a Place

Hosted by walk-listen-create’s poet-in-residence Shani Cadwallender and writer-in-residence Amelia Hodsdon, we invite scholars and writers whose work explores landscape, walking, and ‘finding a place’ to discuss their latest research.
On-line Talk - Booking Info Here

16.00 - 17.00pm - Curator Led Walk of Tree Cultures Exhibition - at the Linnean Society
Guided walk exploring the use and representation of trees through the Linnean Society's collections. Our Head of Collections, Isabelle Charmantier, will take you through the exhibition investigating how trees are represented in natural history illustration, iconic trees, economic botany, and the exploitation of trees.
Guided Walk - Free - Book Here

Thursday 16th May

10.30 - Tree Equity Walk and Talk – what is it and why does it matter?

Join Birmingham Tree People and the National Trust and enjoy a short walk to some of thier planting sites. Attendees are invited to stay for a networking and research lunch 12.15pm-1.00pm.
Walk & Lunch - Book Here

10.30 - 12.30pm - Roots & Resilience - Creating Ground, Woolwich- UTF Funded Event
This friendly and inclusive creative writing workshop is for anyone who wants time and headspace to spark their creativity. Think about your connection to nature in the city and what self-care reminders you need when life gets hectic.
Workshop - SOLD OUT

15:00 - 15:45pm - Trees for cities: Benefits of Urban Trees
This webinar will focus on air quality and surface water management, presented by the Trees for Cities team: Susannah Littlewood and Grace Walker.
Webinar - Tickets open soon

5.30pm - Come Meet the Urban Medlar: Trees, treats, talk, & entertainment!

Popular in ancient times, Henry VIII loved them (the Victorians did NOT). Join the Gerit Quealy, author of Botanical Shakespeare, on Regent's Canal Towpath for a "Medlar Party" with music & talks.
Talk & Tastings - Free, Book here

9.30am & 4.30pm - Plymouth Central Park
& its Trees
Guided Walk tree walk through Central Park with local expert and Plymouth Tree People trustee Andrew Young. There are two opportunities to go on the walk.
Walk - Free - Tickets open soon

6.00 - Free Talk on Tree Equity and Environmental Justice with Kenton Rogers
Kenton Rogers is both a Chartered Urban Forester and Chartered Environmentalist with a masters degree in Forest Ecosystem Management. During his 25 year career he has worked on a wide range of commercial, urban and community forestry projects in the UK, Europe and North Africa
Talk - Free - Tickets open soon

14:30 - 16:30pm - Roots & Resilience: Bloomsbury at Holborn Community Association - UTF Funded Event
This friendly and inclusive creative writing workshop is for anyone who wants time and headspace to spark their creativity. Think about your connection to nature in the city and what self-care reminders you need when life gets hectic.
Workshop - Free - Book here

Friday 17th May

12.30 - Forest Bathing in Brunswick Square Gardens, Bloomsbury - UTF Funded Event
Join Clare Barry from Urban Curiosity and learn how to destress and boost your concentration during this fully accessible forest bathing session among urban trees of Brunswick Square Gardens, Bloomsbury.
Forest Bathe - Free, Book here

2.30 - Trees of Westbourne Grove
Join local artist Anna Thew for a walk as art exploring trees in Westbourne Grove.
Walking Art Workshop - Tickets Open Soon

5:30 - Walk One Tree Hill to Greenwich
Join InspiralLondon’s Charlie Fox to walk from One Tree Hill to North Greenwich, exploring Urban Trees, Undergrowth & Urban Forest Canopy with unique shorter walk interlude across Greenwich Park. 
Walk - Free - Book here

5:30 – Celebration of Olive Trees: Save the Olives Fundraiser

Join us at the St Pancras Station Clocktower for a breathtaking bird's-eye view of the City, with talks from Paul Wood (author of London is a Forest) on urban Olive trees, Gerit Quealy (Botanical Shakespeare) on the poetic & historic olive & branch, and Stefano Petroni of Save the Olives on their unique technique to rescue these ancient beauties! Plus, some surprise guests & delectable treats!
Talks - Book Here

Saturday 18th May

10:30 - 12:30pm - Guided Tree Walk on Street Tree Decline Lipson, Plymouth
Plymouth streets were once lined with avenues of trees planted by the Victorians. We look at some of the remaining tree avenues discuss the benefits of tree lined streets with arboriculturist Jonathan Warren and landscape architect Zoe Smith.
Walk - Book here

11.00 - Family walk with Black Girls Hike - UTF Funded Event
Black Girls Hike event in partnership with The Hive. There will be a range of nature based activities and a gentle walk around Epping Forest to get us active. We will meet at Chingford Station.
Family Day - Book Here

11.30 - Tour of the Lesnes Abbey Arboretum
In addition to a ruined abbey and ancient hillside woodland, the arboretum at Lesnes Abbey Woods has almost one hundred different varieties of tree from around the world. Join us to explore the selection of rare native trees as well as globally sourced exotics.
Walk - Book Here

1.00pm - Queering Ecology Webinar
An online event to look at urban trees from a perspective of pollen, or Aerobiology. Focussing on how pollination works and how the botanical language developed.
By donation - Book Soon!

1:30 - Knock on Wood - Edinburgh
Knock on Wood is a collective sound walk celebrating the urban trees in Edinbrugh. Ending at the Pianodrome, Granton, refreshments provided. Accessible for everyone - mostly pavement walking, wheels are as welcome as feet - human, dog or other!
Sound Walk - Book Here

1:30 - Lesnes Abbey Woodland Walk
Join the Friends of Lesnes Abbey and Woods for a guided walk through our ancient woodlands.
Walk - Book Here

2:00 - Mulberries & Heritage Trees of Gunnersbury Park
Mulberry specialist Peter Coles will present the two mulberries in the Park (one a Paper Mulberry) and talk about the introduction of the mulberry to Britain
Walk & Talk - Buy Tickets

3.00 - Forum: Fantastic Elms & Other Amazing Trees - Brighton
Meet the tree experts for a lively afternoon of talks and discussion followed by a chance mingle and meet the panellists over afternoon tea. Chaired by David Shreeve MBE, Director of The Conservation Foundation.
Free - Book here

Sunday 19th May

TBC - Art Connections: Visit two Artists Studios linked by Epping Forest Walk
Join us for a forest walk connecting two Artists Studios on the margins of Epping Forest. Meet artists - Sharon Drew, Hugh Hamshaw Thomas, and Alison Chaplin and find out how Epping Forest has inspired their creative pursuits. A rare opportunity to see behind the scenes!Walk & Studio Visit - Tickets Open Soon

11:00 - Churchill Gardens: An Architectural Utopia Among the Trees

A guided walk around the Churchill Gardens Estate, one of the finest, and greenest modernist estates in the UK, with Paul Wood.
Walk - Buy Tickets

2:30 - Guided Tour of Southwark Park’s Trees with Paul Wood
Southwark Park is one of London’s largest and oldest public parks. It will be no surprise then, that it is home to many fine and interesting trees, many of which date back to its foundation, join author Paul Wood to discover more…
Walk - Book Here

10:30am - Elm Trees Walk – Pavilion Gardens - Brighton
Local tree enthusiast Pete Comley will talk about Brighton’s historical connection with elm trees. The serious problem of Elm Disease and the ways the city has been trying to combat it.
Free - Book here