Like us, trees have a natural ageing process. Signs of their progressing years, as well as scars they have picked up along the way can be read in their appearance. But these features, like a greying streak of hair, do not diminish their value.

A guest blog post by Tracey Benson, Canberra, Australia

Connecting with the trees in Ngunawal Country is a documentation of a local walk which I have taken on an almost daily basis since the outbreak of COVID-19. The walk is a loop around Ginninderry Creek and is a popular gathering place for birds, frogs and other species including human, particularly after the rain.

“‘Silver linings’ feels a strange term to use in these times. Nevertheless, there is one that really sticks out – the nation is well and truly embracing the natural world” – these words from Jack Taylor, Lead Campaigner at Woodland Trust, ring true.

Apologies to all those who tried to join our Tree Rings event at 14:00 Sunday 17 May. We were let down by the technology. We will be rescheduling and will be in touch with all those who had booked shortly with more details.

The Urban Tree Festival’s Paul Wood talks to Toronto-based tree-inspired artist Nicola Woods.

A guest blog by Edwin Malins – Nature Reserves Manager at London Wildlife Trust and Co-Chair of the London Ancient Tree Forum

As #ShakespeareSunday @HollowCrownFans is celebrating the Urban Tree Festival with @TiCLme this week with the theme of ‘Trees and Cities’ we thought it would be a good moment to ask…

How well do you know your urban trees … and how well do you know your Shakespeare?

As part of the Urban Tree Festival, Hogarth’s House is launching a Twitter campaign to get people inspired and creating!

A guest blog by Martin Crawford of the Agroforestry Research Trust.

The foundation of a forest garden is the tree layer (or layers), where useful and productive trees are grown including fruit and nut trees, trees vegetables, nitrogen-fixing fertility trees and trees for other uses both direct and indirect.

A guest blog by Sandra Cowan

Refuge Trees is a virtual exhibit drawn from the photographs of trees that I’ve take over the past decade.

Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon 'em.So read Malvolio in Twelfth Night, and so it is with trees.

Artists’ cooperative Collect Connect invited authors and artists to respond to the theme ‘Sentinel Trees’ by making miniature art works to be exhibited in the ‘Unsettled Gallery’ alongside the street trees in Archway, London, during the Festival.

Amanda Tuke is a south east London-based nature writer. She writes about the joy of urban and suburban nature and exploring the impact nature has on wellbeing.

Hannah Sylvester is a specialist in connecting people, with nature. She’s passionate about leading guided Herb Walks and nature discovery sessions, helping people to build deeper connections with our native plant life. She has worked as a registered Medical Herbalist for the last 10 years in Lincolnshire, and also lectures on the BSc Clinical Herbalism degree in Lincoln. Hannah will be delivering two sessions during the festival.

TiCL Media Ltd is delighted to provide the TiCL system – App and website, to support the 2020 ‘virtual’ Urban Tree Festival.

A Guest Blog from author and leadership coach and Jackee Holder.
Join Jackee for a well-being workshop where you will locate the important lessons you can learn about yourself through the writing with trees journal prompts.

A guest blog from Cornelia Lucey and Michelle White, co-founders of LIVEWISE: Using positive psychology to enhance our experience of nature and psychological wellbeing.

A guest blog by Alice Whitehead, founder, Save Our Street Trees Northampton.

A guest blog from artist Ienke Kastelein. Some thoughts on trees and being.

Join Mel Sutton’s Daily Meditation during the Urban Tree Festival – a 15 minute audio meditation challenge – 16-24th May, 10am. Find out what she has in store here…