The 2023 Urban Tree Festival

Saturday 13th May

10.00am - Great North Wood Walk with Fences and Frontiers 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, This event is for invitees only

10.15am - Brighton - City of Elms
The city of Brighton has a unique collection of 20,000 elm trees. Local resident and national elm expert, Peter Bourne and Vivienne Barton will lead this walk.
Walk, Book here

10.30am - The Trees of Finsbury Park, a walk led by author Paul Wood
Walking tour of notable trees in Finsbury Park led by Paul Wood and hosted by the Friends Group.
Walk, Book now

11.00am & 2.00pm - National Collection of Sussex Apples Walk with Peter May The walk will guide participants through the Home Farm Orchard and Meadow Orchard in Brighton, concentrating on the Sussex varieties, Peter will also demonstrate grafting.
Tour, Book here

1.00pm - Forests at the Edge: Existence as Resistance (Part 1) The first of three walks led by Becky Lyon, eco-artist in peri-urban woodland spaces, venturing into Barnwood N2 in Finchley, an edible, forageable forest garden and hidden gem on the edges of the North Circular!
Walk, Book here

1.30pm - ParkBathe To celebrate Urban Tree Festival in White Horse Recreation Ground, Croydon. Park Bathe uses aspects of 'forest bathing' and is simply walking slowly in a local green space whilst noticing our surroundings (no water is involved!) Book here

2.00pm & 3.30pm - Camberwell Tree Drawing Workshops Led by renowned botanical illustrator David More, join one of two free drawing workshops at Brunswick Park, Camberwell.
Drawing Workshop, Book here

Sunday 14th May

10.30am - Black Girls Hike - Epping Forest Hike
Black Girls Hike U.K. provides a safe space for Black women to explore the outdoors. Challenging the status quo, and encouraging black women to reconnect with nature, they host this walk through part of Epping Forest.
Walk, Book now

10.30am - Colchester Campus Tree Walk
A pleasant walk around parts of the campus and Wivenhoe Park highlighting some of the notable trees, devised by Christopher Howard and guided by local tree expert Phil Brew.
Walk, Book here

2.00pm - Clissold Park Tree & Ecology Guided Walk
Russell Miller leads fun, educational walks teaching about trees, ecology, nature recovery and community action. All walks are highly accessible to beginners.
Walk, Book here

2.00pm - Forests at the Edge: Borders, Boundaries, Bodies (Part 2) The second of three walks led by Becky Lyon, eco-artist, exploring how urban forest space is organised both ‘environmentally’ and ‘ecologically’. Venturing into human-forest interrelations, exploring borders and boundaries.
Walk, Book here

Monday 15th May

11.00am - Mulberry Half-Marathon: King James I's Mulberries (Part 1)
The first of three mulberry walks with expert Peter Coles, co-founder of Morus Londinium. This walk explores the sites of mulberry plantations, with veteran trees that could date back to the early 17th century.
Walk, Book here

1.00pm - Webinar: Grow Back Together From vacant pits to adopted trees, a case study with Street Trees for Living engaging residents in street tree care in south London.
Webinar, Book here

3.30pm - Forest Bathing with Urban Curiosity at Mycenae House
Join creative trainer Clare Barry as she helps fight fatigue with a session of Forest Bathing.
Relaxation, Book here

6.00pm - Epping Forest Talk - Feral Forest
The session will feature artists Melissa Moore and Danny Treacy, plus author Will Ashon, all of whom are deeply connected with Epping Forest in various projects inspired by the place, its people, and their stories.
Talk, Book here

6.30pm - A City of London Circular Walk with Des Garrahan
A 3 mile circular walk around the City of London, from the Bank of England, that considers urban trees.
Walk, Book here

7.00pm - Architecture on Stage: Tree Talks - Money and Trees An inspiring line-up of landscape architects from Brussels, Paris, Zurich and London showing their recent work and comparing policies, practices and economies around trees in cities. (Previous talks available free on our Resources page, during the festival.)
Talks, Book here

Tuesday 16th May

9.30am (only) - Inclusive Nature Cycle with the Cycling Botanist
Join CPRE London, Wheels for Wellbeing and Leif Bersweden, the Cycling Botanist, along the national cycle route in south London, for this inclusive nature cycle suitable for all. People with all abilities welcome - anyone who finds it easier to cycle than walk is encouraged to come along and discover the excitement of urban plant hunting! Adaptive cycles provided.
Cycle, Book Cycling

1.00pm - Webinar: Showcasing the Miyawaki Method The Tree Council Trees Outside Woodland programme is developing 'The Urban Tree Establishment’ pilot and within this programme is exploring the potential of the Miyawaki methodology to boost urban tree establishment.
Webinar, Book here

6.30pm - The Happy Man Tree Film - When a group of Hackney locals discover that a property developer has been granted permission by the Council to fell a huge, much-loved 150-year-old street tree, they do everything they can to try to save it! Special film screening at the Castle Cinema, Homerton. Panel discussion/Q&A after the screening with filmmaker Katy McGahan and others.
Film, Book here

Wednesday 17th May

10.00am - Leeds Campus Guided Tree Walk
A guided tour of some of our most impressive trees at the University of Leeds campus with Robin Hayward, forest ecologist and science communicator.
Walks, Book here

10.30am - Tree Art for Wellbeing
Join CPRE London and holistic, integrated creative arts therapist Bev McGarey in taking a creative look at the stunning trees in Crystal Palace Park. Bev specialises in woodland mindfulness and in this session, you'll use your senses to connect more closely with nature .
Walk, Book here

11.00am - Mulberry Half-Marathon: Roman & Saxon Mulberries (Part 2) A walk from St Magnus to Fountain Court.  Second of three stage walk led by Peter Coles, co-founder of Morus Londinium.
Walk, Book here

12.00 - Kew Gardens walk with Pepperpot
Mama D takes a walk with Caribbean Elders from the Pepperpot Centre in west London. Join us for an afternoon out for African and Caribbean Elders and those interested in the histories and cultures of the tree species of the associated tropics. Event supported by the Mayor of London.
Walk, Book here

1.00pm - Webinar: Mapping Tree Equity for the UK
Tree equity in our towns and cities - How many trees are there in your local area? How many is ‘enough’? Exploring the Woodland Trust’s ‘tree equity’ campaign, what is means for you and how you can get involved.
Webinar, Book here

6.30pm - The Trees of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
A guided walk through London’s newest large park, taking in its varied treescapes and finding out how the site was transformed into a thriving park, with Arboricultural Consultant Claire Harbinson.
Walk, Book here

7.00pm - Online talk: The Tree Climbing Cure - Our relationship with trees is a lengthy, complex one. We have, at various times, worshiped them, felled them and even talked to them, join us to discuss the health and wellbeing benefits of trees with author Professor Andy Brown.
Online Talk, Book here!

Thursday 18th May

10.15am - Brighton - City of Elms
The city of Brighton has a unique collection of 20,000 elm trees. Local resident and national elm expert, Peter Bourne and Vivienne Barton will lead this walk.
Walk, Book here

12.00pm - ParkBathe To celebrate Urban Tree Festival in Cator Park with TREE Talk at 2.00pm. ParkBathe uses aspects of 'forest bathing', forest school and mindfulness and is simply walking slowly in a local green space whilst noticing our surroundings (no water is involved!)
Walk, Book here

1.00pm - Webinar: The London Urban Forest Partnership Did you know London has an Urban Forest Plan?!  Join some of the key players from the London Urban Forest Partnership to find out how they are collaborating to protect and manage, expand and promote trees and woodlands in and around London.
Webinar, Book here

2.00pm - Tree ID Walk in Kennington Park - As part of the 2023 Urban Tree Festival celebrations, Trees for Cities is running a FREE Tree ID Walk at Kennington Park, hosted by our very own Sophie Thompson, Landscape Design Manager.
Walk, Book here.

6.00pm - The Wood that Built London, author’s talk with Chris Schüler Learn about the great wood that once stretched from Croydon to Deptford, remnants that survive, and need to link these back up together. Talk at The Gallery, 70 Cowcross St, Farringdon.
Talk, Book here

Friday 19th May

11.00am & 1.00pm - Tree Musketeers - Nursery Open Day Hackney community tree nursery tours demonstrating the possibilities of urban tree growing.
Walk, Book here

11.00am(TBC) - Yoko Ono Oaks Cathedral Tour
We are joined by Goldsmiths University academic Nirmal Puwar and Sarah Scouller social media manager at Coventry Cathedral, for a walk and talk to tell us all about the fascinating connection between Yoko Ono, oak trees and the Cathedral!
Facebook Live, Follow us on Facebook to watch!

1.00pm - Webinar: Soil, where do we grow from here?
What are the health benefits of soil? Why do we remove soil? From the global to the urban, that challenges that face urban trees and plant soil interactions.
Webinar, Book here

6.00pm - Can Books Save Trees? - A talk and panel discussion with author Paul Wood, campaigner and writer Gio Iozzi, chaired by Peter Fiennes at The Gallery, 70 Cowcross St, Farringdon.
Talk, Book here

Saturday 20th May - The Big Day!

All Day - Urban Tree Festival All Day Event at Camley St. Natural Park with London Wildlife Trust Join in the Urban Tree Festival at Camley Street hosted by the London Wildlife Trust. Come and celebrate urban trees with a diverse programme of free activities and singing workshops for all ages and cultures from 11am-5pm. Event supported by the Mayor of London. (followed by a ticketed performance of tree songs and readings by the Morris Folk Choir from 7.00pm - see below to book)
Open Day, Open to all, just turn up!

10.00am - Sheffield Tree Fayre A family-friendly event celebrating the wonder of trees and woodlands! Featuring a variety of kids’ outdoor forest school activities, kids’ indoor crafts, adult wood craft stalls and guided tree walks.
Open Day, Book here

11.00am - Honor Oak Park to Deptford Walk with Des Garrahan A five mile linear walk from Honor Oak Park to Deptford that passes the New Cross Redwood.
Walk, Book here

11.00am - Tree Tour: Euston to St Pancras - a walk with Paul Wood Author Paul Wood, leads a walk from Euston to Camley Street Natural Park at St Pancras to visiting some special trees along the way.
Walk, Book here

12.00pm - Wandsworth Park May Tree Festival Day one of this festival sees hip-hop folk dance ‘Folk Dance Remixed’ with their interactive maypole, not to be missed! Wish tree and childrens activities, turn up and join in! Event supported by the Mayor of London.
Open day, Just turn up on the day!

1.00am - Northolt Park Racecourse Spring Celebration Day We will be celebrating the completion of work by Trees for Cities to green the Racecourse Estate by hosting a day of urban tree celebration with plenty of FREE fun activities for the whole family.
Open Day, Just turn up on the day!

1.00pm - Lesnes Abbey Tree Walk through the Arboretum
Part of the The Friends of Lesnes Abbey and Woods Events collection Learn about the many common and unusual trees in the Lesnes Abbey Woods arboretum as we wander among them.
Walk, Book here

2.00pm - Hodge Hill Common, Birmingham - Creative Tree Walkshop A guided walk around Hodge Hill Common in Birmingham, with Soobie Whitfield, exploring local wooded, common land noticing shapes, movements, colours, sounds and textures.
Walkshop, Book here

2.00pm - Leeds Campus Guided Tree Walk Join Robin Hayward for a guided walk of the University of Leeds Tree Trail, which was created in collaboration with the United Bank of Carbon to celebrate the value of trees to campus life.
Walk, Book here

4.00pm - Tree Gratitude - film and workshop
A short film and family workshop to introduce the hidden trees of the city through the lens of one London market, lesser known histories, and Kew's botanical garden collections.
Film and workshop, Book here.

4.30pm - Webinar: Nature Writers Circle
Urban Tree Festival’s Andrew Stuck chairs a webinar for the winners of this years writing competition.
Webinar, Invitation only

7.00pm - `Through the Trees’ - with the Morris Folk Choir A ticketed performance of tree songs and readings by the Morris Folk Choir from 7.00pm
Musical Performance, Book here

Sunday 21st May

10.00am - Art in the Park, Wandsworth
Free just drop in; Art in the Park from 10.00am with The Friends of Wandsworth Park, plus a Treasure Hunt 'A Voyage through Shakespeare's Storm Trees' around Wandsworth Park. Sessions of 'Mindfulness in the Trees' led by clinical psychologist Clare Cooper, please book.
Art in the park, No need to book just drop in!
Mindfulness in the Trees, Book here

10.30am - Epping Forest Heritage Trust Guided Walk from Chingford Judy Adams and Georgina Green will lead visitors on a moderate walk through the Forest looking at the ancient trees in this Special Area of Conservation.
Walk, Book here

11.00am - Mulberry ‘Half-Marathon’: Royal Mulberries (Part 3) Mulberry Half-Marathon: Royal mulberries, St James’s Church to Kensington Palace, third of three stage walk led by Peter Coles, co-founder of Morus Londinium.
Walk, Book here

11.00am - Buckthorn Cutting Nature Reserve Open Day Join CPRE London in celebrating the success of the local community group who raised over £100,000 to buy neighbouring Gorne Wood, the nearest patch of ancient woodland to the City of London. There will be live music, tree walks and a chance to explore this wonderful but little known nature reserve.
Open Day, No need to book, just turn up on the day!

12.00pm - Wandsworth Park May Festival The second day of Wandsworth Park May Festival - Mindfulness sessions and childrens activities, turn up and join in!
Open day, Just turn up on the day!

1.00pm - Forests at the Edge: (Soft) Edgelands (Part 3) The third and final walk in the series, led by Becky Lyon, eco-artist, we venture to Horsenden Hill, a special place encapsulating London’s multi-textured ecology. From the Perivale Community Hive to the viewpoint of Horsenden Hill discussing nature-in-the-city.
Walk, Book here

2.00pm - Lady Brad's Woods Birmingham - Creative Tree Walkshop A guided walk around Lady Brad's Woods in Birmingham, with Soobie Whitfield, exploring local wooded, common land noticing shapes, movements, colours, sounds and textures.
Walkshop, Book here

4.30pm - Write about trees showcase with winners of the writing competition Write about trees showcase with winners of writing competition.
Webinar, Book here

6.00pm - Woodland Writing with Clare Barry at Mycenae House A one hour creative writing for wellbeing workshop in the woodland grounds of Mycenae House Gardens in Greenwich. A simple and powerful way to draw on your inner wisdom. Take a stroll through the woodland and make space to hear yourself think.
Workshop, Book here

Royal Parks - Digital Assets for Schools - Royal Parks ‘tree’mendous workshop resources, free curriculum-linked virtual workshops.  The Royal Parks invite you and your KS2 students to get creative this summer term and speak out about the impact of urban trees during the climate emergency!
Schools pack: Apply here

Urban Tree Festival Plymouth
This May join Plymouth Tree Partnership to celebrate the first-ever Plymouth Urban Tree Festival! People in Plymouth clearly love urban trees so we are joining the sixth annual Urban Tree Festival to celebrate them!
Variety of events, Book here

Self-guided Campus Tree Tour The University of Leeds
University of Leeds - Campus Tree Trail self-guided and student guided walks.
Walks, Just turn up!

Urban Tree a Day! - During the Urban Tree Festival, author Paul Wood will be posting a great urban tree everyday. For the last two years, Paul has been researching trees across Britain and Ireland for a new book to be published in 2024. By way of a preview, Paul will be posting accounts of trees he has come across on his travels.
Substack: Subscribe here

Tree Art Competition!
Share your best piece of tree-themed art with Students For Trees during the Urban Tree Festival for the chance to win a tree planted in your name or an ethical houseplant voucher!
Online, Instagram @studentsfortrees

Feedback

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