We are working with North Somerset Council and local Tree Wardens to undertake the biggest ever survey of North Somerset’s Trees. The approach will apply the iTree Eco model, widely used in the USA, tailored to local conditions.

A number of North Somerset’s Tree Wardens are already actively involved and will shortly start surveying plots across the authority to build up a picture of the distribution, types and sizes of trees. We will then apply the iTree model to quantify the carbon and pollution management services North Somerset’s trees provide.

The Forest of Avon Trust will use this information to help inform investment decisions about local trees and woodland.

Do you know the shrub above? It is locally common in the Forest of Avon and in historical terms, might enjoy an association with teasels.

For information on becoming a North Somerset Tree Warden click here.

If you are a Tree Warden and want to get involved in this project email: jonclark@forestofavontrust.org or give Jon Clark a call on (0117) 963 3383.

Our Natural Connections project has developed and run successful Forest School programmes with groups including young children, pupils at the risk of exclusion from school and adults with learning disabilities.  

Complementing this, over the last two years we have offered Open College Network (OCN) accredited Forest School training in partnership with Lawrence Weston Community Farm. Our most recent course was in July when we delivered a Forest School Level 3 course to trainee Forest School leaders.

For those wanting a good starting point in Forest School training, we are offering a 2 day Level 1 OCN course at Lawrence Weston Community Farm on November the 12th and 13th. For more information click here.

It's what we do and we are pleased to continue to offer a FREE advisory meeting for any group/ individual considering:

• Grants for trees, including all Forestry Commission grants;
• The management requirements of trees/ woodlands;
• Planting or managing trees;
• Setting up a group to get more trees planted, or to manage a woodland;
• Planting trees in gardens;
• Planting fruit trees;
• Forest School accredited training.

We also directly support local action through our Free Trees, Garden Forest and Street Orchard schemes.

This quarter we have worked groups/ individuals in Clevedon, Bedminster, Haydon, Knowle West, Nailsea, Pensford, Keynsham and Radstock. We have also secured funding from South Gloucestershire Council to erect woodland signs promoting access on foot, at sites at Siston and Upton Cheyney.  

Image: Ashmeads Kernel. Image courtesy: Nick Dunn, Trees for Life 

Fruit trees are ideal for all gardens/ allotments and because they can grow on dwarf rootstocks, they can make even the smallest space green and productive.

Once again we have sourced top quality fruit trees at close to wholesale prices. If you interested and a Bristol allotment holder please click here; others please click here.