Tree Rings Webinars

A series of webinars curated by CPRE London – the countryside charity working for a greener city – as part of the 2021 Urban Tree Festival

During the pandemic, more of us have been getting out and about walking in our local neighbourhoods, discovering trees and nature on our doorsteps. But the last year has also revealed, that for many people access to green spaces, parks and woodlands is still too difficult, and our understanding of the value of urban trees limited. What can we do to build stronger, more healthy communities, and provide opportunities for all urban dwellers to appreciate and connect more with trees, nature and the countryside? Guests on these webinars bring their expertise in our search for understanding and solutions.

Trees for All - improving accessibility

The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the importance of nature and trees in urban areas but it has also raised the issue of unequal access to green spaces. In many cases it is the poorer, disadvantaged or underrepresented groups who have less opportunity to connect with and enjoy nature.  What are the barriers to improving access? and how can they be overcome? 

Chair/host: Jess Massucco, Trees for Cities

Speakers:   Mama D, Community Centred Knowledge; Mariam Zulfiqar, Contemporary Art Programme Manager for Forestry England; Isaac Harvey, Trees for Cities volunteer; and Mary Wright from Thames Chase Community Forest.

Date: Saturday 15th May,

Time: 12:30-1:30pm

Blossom and bloom - the significance of flowering trees

Springtime tree blossom is celebrated in many cultures and has a variety of benefits, from its ecological value to its contribution to the landscape. How can we understand and celebrate the wildlife value of native blossoming trees and the stunning visual impact of the introduced species.   What do we mean by tree blossom? How does this differ from flowering trees?

Chair/host: Neil Sinden Director of CPRE London and co-producer of the Urban Tree Festival

Speakers:  Annie Reilly, Head of Producing, National Trust; Mak Gilchrist, Founding Director, The Edible Bus Stop; Helen Firminger, Warden, South London Botanical Institute; Russell Miller, Founder, Hackney Tree Musketeers.

Date: Sunday 16th May

Time: 1:00-2:00pm

The London Urban Forest Plan

An overview of the London Urban Forest Plan and what it hopes to achieve.  The plan has four main aims - protecting and engaging, managing and increasing - which will be covered in this extended webinar.  Why does London need a city-wide forest plan?  What role can borough councils and other partner organisations play in delivering it?  What progress has been made to date?

Chair/host:  Nicole Collomb, Greater London Authority

Speakers:  Richard Pearce, Forestry Commission;  Andy Tipping, London Tree Officers Association; Suzanne Simmons, Trees for Cities; and Ian Russell, London Borough of Enfield.

Date: Monday 17th May

Time: 1:00-3:00pm

Urban hedgerows - why they matter

Urban hedges are a vital aspect of green infrastructure but their importance is often overlooked. They provide habitat for wildlife, restrict pollution along roads, and are sometimes remnants of older landscapes. Yet, hedges are under threat and declining across the country. How can we incorporate hedgerows into urban areas? What role can they play in parks, allotments and open spaces?

Chair/host:  Sara Lom, Chief Executive, TheTree Council

Speakers:  Megan Gimber, Key Habitats Project Officer, People’s Trust for Endangered Species; Mathew Frith, Director of Conservation, London Wildlife Trust; and Jon Stokes, HedgeLink.

Date: Tuesday 18th May

Time: 1:00-2:00pm

The elms of Nine Elms and beyond

Join David Shreeve, co-founder of The Conservation Foundation for an overview on the roots of the Great British Elm Experiment followed by a question and answer session.

David will give an insight into the reintroduction of elms back into Britain after the devastating effects of Dutch elm disease that killed millions of trees in the UK.

You’ll hear about the propagation programme that began the introduction of large numbers of Sapporo Autumn Gold elms, the variety of tree that live in Nine Elms along with the American connection that made it happen.

Chair/host:  The webinar will be hosted by Paul Wood, elm enthusiast and author of three books on trees in the capital: London is a Forest, London's Street Trees and London Tree Walks, for a discussion on elm trees.

Date: Wednesday 19th May

Time: 1:00-2:00pm

Urban trees and climate change

We live in a climate emergency and trees can play an important part in how we tackle rising temperatures, more extreme weather events and changing climates. What role can London’s urban forest play in helping to address these challenges?   How can we support the contribution of trees and woodlands in urban areas to mitigate the impact of climate change and manage risks?

Chair/host:  Ruth Knight, Greater London Authority

Speakers: Dr Kristen Guida, Manager, London Climate Change Partnership; Prof. Mathias Disney, Professor of Remote Sensing, University College London; Prof. Mary Gagen, Professor of Geography, University of Swansea

Date: Thursday 20th May

Time: 1:00-2:00pm

Ancient Urban Trees

When you think of ancient trees you may imagine centuries old oak trees in Windsor Great Park, or Sherwood Forest. But ancient trees can be found everywhere and there are large numbers of undiscovered ancient trees in urban locations such as formal parks, old deer parks, and estates. Why are ancient trees important? What role can they play in a modern urban environment?

Chair/host:  Greg Packman, Co-chair London Branch of the Ancient Tree Forum and co-producer of the Urban Tree Festival

Speakers:  David Humphries, Trees Management Officer, City of London (Hampstead Heath) and Peter Coles, author of Mulberry (Reaktion Books 2019), and co-founder & coordinator of Morus Londinium.

Date: Friday 21st May

Time: 1.00-2.00pm

How should we value trees - a philosophical discussion

Does nature have an intrinsic value? Do we really think we can put a price tag on trees? Ideas around ’natural capital’ are suddenly everywhere, running through the debates on everything from climate change to biodiversity. And this is affecting all our political, policy and personal decisions. But is it helpful? Or even right? Does nature - do trees - have a value beyond anything you’d find in a policy document or company spreadsheet? Or is giving our trees a recognisable value the only way we are going to save them?

Chair/host:  Peter Fiennes author & co-producer of the Urban Tree Festival

Speakers:  Dr Clare Melhuish, Director, University College London Urban Laboratory;  Simon Needle, Principal Arboriculturalist/Ecologist, Birmingham City Council; Dr Irene Becci, UCL Institute of Advanced Studies

Date: Saturday 22nd May

Time: 1:00-2:00pm

Campaigning for trees

Increasing pressure for new housing and infrastructure inevitably impacts on the natural world with trees often being the losing party. Recent years have seen a number of high profile cases that have given rise to often successful community led campaigns. Join us to discuss the role of local campaign groups in protecting trees and how to mount an effective campaign.

Chair/host: Tony Burton, Chair of Trustees, CPRE London

Speakers: Paul Powlesland, Lawyers for Nature; Bridget Fox, Reginal External Affairs officer - South East, Woodland Trust;  Peter Buckingham, Happy Man Tree Campaign

Date: Sunday 23rd May

Time: 3.00-4.00pm