LEGACY

The launch of the Tree Charter signals the beginning of a new era for woods, trees and people in the UK. To mark its launch in 2017, 11 carved wooden poles were installed in sites across the UK as lasting reminders of the Tree Charter and its 10 Principles.

The 11 carved wooden Tree Charter poles were crafted from Grown in Britain oak from the Crown Estate, carved by artist Simon Clements at the Sylva Wood Centre in Abingdon.

Artist Simon Clements carving the Lincoln Castle Tree Charter Champion Pole

The Tree Charter Champion Pole: Lincoln Castle

    Locations of the Tree Charter Principle Poles

  • Lincoln Castle (Tree Charter Champion pole)
  • Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Liverpool - Health & wellbeing
  • Bute Park, Cardiff - Art & heritage
  • Belvoir Wood, Belfast - Planning
  • Lang Craigs, Dumbarton - Coping with threats
  • Grizedale Forest, Lake District - Environment / strengthening landscapes
  • Sherwood Forest, Nottingham - Protection
  • Manchester City Forest Park - People & access to trees
  • Pound Farm, Suffolk - Nature
  • Sylva Wood Centre, Abingdon - Utility & livelihoods
  • Low Burnhall, Durham - Planting

TREE CHARTER ART & HERITAGE TRAIL

Discover artworks and heritage sites across the British Isles that give an insight into the powerful role trees have played in our culture throughout history, from William Ashford’s 1778 painting Landscape with Carriage and Horses in Ulster Museum Belfast, to the ancient Ankerwycke Yew in Surrey which witnessed the signing of the original Magna Carta and the 1217 Charter of the Forest.

Our partners Common Ground curated a programme of eight inspirational art residencies for the Tree Charter’s launch. Find out more about the artists and their work with our interactive map.

NATIONAL TREE CHARTER DAY

The words 'thank you for your beauty' hand-written on a leaf-shaped tag

With huge public support for the Tree Charter and the backing of more than 70 cross-sector organisations, the future looks brighter for trees, woods and people, but it will only become a reality if everyone in society plays their part.

This process will take many years, and it is vital that the Tree Charter is not forgotten, and continues to unite society behind a shared vision for trees, woods and people. Under the Principle ‘celebrate the power of trees to inspire’, the Tree Charter calls for a national day each year when the country should unite in celebrating, protecting and enhancing the role of trees and woods in our lives.

A national day for trees, woods and people
Trees deserve to be celebrated. Each year the whole of UK society should unite in celebrating the value and importance of trees and woods to people. On the last Saturday in November each year, local communities, schools, organisations and individuals should mark a national ‘Tree Charter Day’ with activities and events that celebrate and reinvigorate the relationship between people and trees.

To coincide with Tree Charter Day, the Woodland Trust will convene a committee of cross-sector organisations to review progress towards achieving the objectives set out in the Tree Charter Principles. This will provide a focus for discussion, campaigning and action to tackle the key challenges that threaten the trees in our lives and landscapes.

Tree Charter Day will always fall in National Tree Week, the Tree Council’s annual celebration of trees that marks the start of winter tree planting season. Find out what is happening near you by checking out the events listings on the Woodland Trust or Tree Council websites. Or, do your bit to stand up for trees by organising an event and sending the details to charter@woodlandtrust.org.uk, and we’ll promote it for you.

Images: Matt Larsen-Daw