TreeWatch is a ‘citizen science’ project that aims, with the help of the public, to keep a watchful eye on the health of trees across Europe.  It is being launched as a pilot for 2010 in partnership with the Tree Council and Earthwatch, and in collaboration with scientists from Forest Research.

TreeWatch activities for the pilot this year are limited to looking at one tree species and one of its pests: the horse chestnut leaf miner.  We thought that by launching TreeWatch as a pilot, we can learn more about the effectiveness of the online tools and how to engage with volunteers.  Our hope is that the pilot will be a such a success that it will help us launch a full TreeWatch project in 2011.

During 2010 we will be working directly with the Tree Wardens across the UK, and with Earthwatch volunteers.  However, anyone can sign up and get involved.  If you know a horse chestnut tree, perhaps in your local park or one that you walk past everyday, why not ‘adopt’ it and put it on the map?  To find out more visit www.TreeWatch.com

Nick will be working with us during July and August and will be helping with the completion of the website, and then busy roadtesting the technology and handling the data as it comes in.  Welcome Nick, and thank you Earthwatch!

Hundreds of people came to the stand to watch our film of the OneOak felling, to watch carvers from the Oxon & Bucks Branch of the British Woodcarving Association (Brian, Jeff and Liz), and to see original watercolours (Rebecca Hind), botanical drawings (Sarah Simblet) and photographs of the OneOak tree (Sam Scott-Hunter). Philip Koomen’s iconic Pondlife Bench attracted plenty of attention.

We really enjoyed talking to all who came to see us, especially the many discussions we had around the subject of sustainable woodland management.  For some people found the idea of felling a 160 year old tree was challenging but when we discussed the ideas behind the project and the notion of bringing Britain’s woodlands into management, often opinions changed.  Clearly the idea of using more locally-produced wood receives plenty of support but forestry, and foresters, need to work more on public communication.

We are extremely grateful to all the people who came to see us and joined with us in so many interesting discussions.  It was great to see some of the children from our partner schools coming along with their families.  We are especially grateful to those who supported use at the exhibition:

• Living Crafts (organisers of Art, Design and a Taste of Summer)
• Water colour artist Rebecca Hind
• Botanical Artist Sarah Simblet
• Furniture Designer Philip Koomen
• Wood carvers Brian, Jeff and Liz (from the Oxon & Bucks Branch of the BWA)
• OneOak stand designers Solid Art

The proceedings are available on our Forestry Horizons website.

Hemery, G. E. (2010). Forests and energy: maximising their potential.  Institute of Chartered Foresters, National Conference 28

Several major partners have been working with us in developing the concept and will help us road test the technology, scientific methods and user interface throughout the 2010 pilot.

A new website is currently in development and will be launched by July, in time to support the first survey work by volunteers across Great Britain.

We are holding a OneOak exhibition at a craft fair at Blenheim Palace this Bank Holiday weekend

Saturday 29th – Monday 31st May

Find out more about the fair Art, Design and a Taste of Summer

• Watch the OneOak film
• Great raffle prizes
• Meet the Sylva team behind the project
• See some of the fantastic OneOak art
• Watch the woodcarvers and artists demonstrating
• Can you count the tree rings?

SYLVA would like to congratulate Truck, the organisers of the WOOD 2010 Festival, for yet another fantastic weekend filled with music, activities and talks - all in celebration of trees and wood.

SYLVA’s Alistair Yeomans talked to an estimated 60 plus festival goers, firstly by revisiting the 10 oak trees that SYLVA planted at last years WOOD 2009 Festival - part of SYLVA’s education programme. Each of the trees was planted with a message attached, promoting the important roles that trees play in the natural world and the contribution they make to the way we live our lives .

Alistair’s talk expanded on each tree’s message and described how trees provide the following range of important products and services: AIR conditioning; WATER purification & flood abatement; SOIL anchorage & nutrient cycling; ENERGY through biomass; WOOD products; ECOLOGICAL habitats; ECONOMIC development; beautiful LANDSCAPES; CLIMATE stability; & FOOD, fruit and nuts.

Then Alistair teamed up with Landshare’s Tom Curtis, an expert on woodland ecology, to talk about and walk the festival goers through the beautiful wooded landscape at Braziers Park.

SYLVA look forward to supporting WOOD 2011 and hope that the weather is as superb as it was this year.

Link to the Ancient Woods guide

There are many woodland interest initiatives and NGOs and we at the SYLVA Foundation value the variety and diversity of these initiatives.

This said, we also feel strongly about avoiding duplication of information and actively look to link with strong research and woodland management guides and information.

One such publication that has recently been published is the Woodland Trust’s Ancient Woods – A guide for woodland owners and managers.

myForest aims to ensure that the user account features that are provided for owners, managers and agents can be used to support the mapping and management of Ancient Woodlands as set out in this excellent guide.

Well done to the Woodland Trust and to Tom Curtis (the author) for producing such a clear and useful guide.

SYLVA CEO Gabriel Hemery is talking about the OneOak project on Saturday 15th May at 11am, at Philip Koomen’s workshop at Checkendon as part of Oxfordshire ArtWeek.

In his talk entitled The story of the One Oak, Gabriel will explain the inspirations behind the project and highlight stories that have emerged during its dramatic first year.  Some of the OneOak residential artists will also be present, along with a chance for viewers to see some of Philip Koomen’s stunning furniture designs.

If you are interested in finding out more or attending (please note that booking is essential): call 01491 681122 or visit http://www.artweeks.org/exhibitors/artist_details/?backto=map&artist_id=295