There is a clear need to increase tree planting in the UK on a very large scale. The UK Committee on Climate Change has called for three billion trees to be planted by 2050. Recent research has shown the potential for large-scale tree planning to absorb CO2. Friends of the Earth is campaigning nationally to double tree cover across the UK as part of wider plans to tackle the climate crisis.
Oxford Friends of the Earth is running ‘Oxfordshire Trees for the Future’ to support this work through a combination of advocacy, awareness and practical action. We are very aware of the need for the ‘Right trees in the right place at the right time’.
Our overall aims are:
• To support the national campaign to get the UK Government and devolved bodies to commit to double tree cover.
• To at least double tree cover in Oxfordshire by 2045 to absorb CO2 emissions and increase biodiversity.
Oxfordshire Trees for the Future is working with local organisations to plant trees in suitable places across the county. These places can be anywhere that you think works, so if you have ideas please email trees@oxfoe.co.uk
We now have a full resource list with links to all the major organisations supporting work on trees. Lots of advice on planting, getting trees, identifying them etc. Open it here.
October 2021– Tree Champions Day and Tree Week
There’s more to trees than just planting them. OxFoE and the Oxfordshire CAG network organised a ‘Tree Champions networking and learning day’ on Sat 23rd Oct. Over 30 people took part – watch for the report.
National Tree Week is the UK’s largest annual tree celebration, marking the start of the winter tree planting season (November to March each year). In 2021, it will take place from Saturday 27 November – Sunday 5 December. OxFoE has several hundred small trees on order (donated to us) and we can let you have some if you have a place to plant. Contact for this: climate@oxfoe.co.uk
We are working in cooperation with the Oxfordshire Community Action Groups network who have a ‘Tree Collaborate’ group that links trees and rewilding projects across the county.
We also work with a group has been set up by people at Oxford University. Colleges can support by a) planting on land they manage and b) supporting planting on land they own outside the city. We are also keen to work with schools to increase awareness of the tree campaign in schools and their communities, and to encourage pkanting at schools.
We have supported the setting up of the Oxford Treescape project created the Oxfordshire Treescape Opportunity Map, a powerful tool that shows the right places to establish treescapes for the right reasons.
A guide to Tree Protection Orders (and other aspects of woodland protection) from Friends of the Earth is available here: a_practical_guide_to_protecting_trees__woodlands_and_hedgerows_for_cags
Up to date information is on the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/oxfordshiretreesforclimate