Tree Weaver

Urban Tree Challenge: 130,000 trees to be planted across England as part of £10m project.

Anyone can apply to the fund but the project must have the greatest environmental and social benefits possible.

Environment Secretary Michael Gove’s Urban Tree Challenge Fund will provide grants that will be made available over the next two years to green urban areas,in an effort to try an meet the government’s target to plant one million trees by 2022. The scheme will be open to individual’s, local authorities and charities, and will be administered by the forestry commission. The fund will pay for the planting of trees and for the first three years of their upkeep. Talking about the scheme, Mr Gove said: “Trees are vital in the fight against climate change, which is why we must go further and faster to increase planting rates. We need trees lining the streets of our cities and towns, not only to green and shade them but to ensure that we remain connected to the wonders of the natural world and the health and wellbeing benefits that it brings us”.

Sir William Worsley, the government’s tree champion said: “Trees are the lifeblood of our nation and it is more important than ever to ensure they are rooted not only in our countryside, but in our towns and cities too. The benefit of planting urban trees are endless, and I encourage anyone with the ability to apply for this fund to get involved and help green our towns and cities “. The government says that the grant is going to be delivered as a challenge fund so it will require matching funding from applicants.

The chair of the Forestry Commission, Sir Harry Studholme, said: “I am delighted the Forestry Commission have been asked to deliver The Urban Tree Challenge Fund. The fund is an important part of the work that the Forestry Commission is doing to expand England’s tree and woodland cover. It allows us to plant more trees much closer to where people live and work, and where the many benefits of trees make the most difference. We look forward to lots of new planting happening this autumn”.The launch of the fund is part of the government’s ‘Year of Green Action’ to help people connect with, protect and enhance nature and is part of a 25 year environment plan, which aims to instil a legacy for future generations.

Reference: Sky News 19th May 2019.

Tree Medicine Tree Magic by Ellen Evert Hopman (get signed copies from http://www.elleneverthopman.com via PayPal ) is an outstanding book for anyone who wants to learn about and deepen their working with trees. In the book you will find poetry, folk lore, herbal lore, Native American lore, mythology, druidic insights, practical and medicinal uses of nineteen of the most common trees in North America and Europe. These nineteen trees include Oak, Pine, Ash, Willow, Holly, Hawthorn, Hazel, Birch, Rowan, Apple, Eucalyptus, Elm, Maple, Chestnut, Cedar, Poplar, Larch, Walnut and Elder.
Hopman’s love and connection with trees definitely shines through each page, and as a master herbalist, homeopath, and druid – the book is not only informative but full of wisdom. In the introduction Hopman writes her intention for the book, “I wish to remind the world of the beauty and poetry of the large trees that are being decimated everywhere to make room for parking lots and shopping malls, to make paper and wood products, and through the destruction of rainforests and wildlands. My second intention is to bring to public awareness how useful natural medicines are, how easy they are to prepare, and how available they are year round in our back yards.”
She definitely succeeds in showing how easy and practical it is to work with trees, providing many recipes and remedies throughout the book. Despite the plethora of information provided within Tree Medicine Tree Magic, the book is written in such a clear and easy-to-follow style that makes this book accessible to anyone of any experience level. This new second edition put out by Pendraig press is revised and updated from the original and has a much deserved upgrade design-wise from the original first edition and includes beautiful full page colored botanical drawings of each tree, which is incredibly helpful.” Review by Mat Auryn

Trees are one of humanity’s most constant and most varied companions. From India’s sacred banyan tree to the fragrant cedar of Lebanon, they offer us sanctuary and inspiration –not to mention the raw materials for everything from aspirin to maple syrup.

In Around the World in 80 Trees, Jonathan Drori uses plant science to illuminate how trees play a role in every part of human life, from the romantic to the regrettable. Stops on the trip include the lime trees of Berlin’s Unter den Linden boulevard, which intoxicate amorous Germans and hungry bees alike, the swankiest streets in nineteenth-century London, which were paved with Australian eucalyptus wood, and the redwood forests of California, where the secret to the trees’ soaring heights can be found in the properties of the tiniest drops of water.

Each of these strange and true tales – populated by self-mummifying monks, tree-climbing goats and ever-so-slightly radioactive nuts – is illustrated by Lucille Clerc, taking the reader on a journey that is as informative as it is beautiful.

Review
This is the best love letter to trees I have ever read. Had I written it myself, I would die happy’. Sir Tim Smit, Founder of The Eden Project

`I have loved trees all my life. It’s fascinating to learn how, across the world, they have inspired people in much the same way, and to understand the key role they play, not just in our lives, but life as a whole’. Dame Judi Dench

`This is the perfect tree book, with beautiful illustrations. A must for any tree lover, professional or amateur, who wants to learn more about 80 inspirational trees from around the world’. Tony Kirkham, Head of the Arboretum at Kew

`Full of new ideas and wonderful stories about the trees that helped shape us, I really loved this entertaining and erudite world journey’. Beccy Speight, Chief Executive, The Woodland Trust

`Around the World in 80 Trees is a celebration of the vital importance of trees to our culture, environment, diet and spiritual well-being. The combination of factual, scientific and historical information makes for a fascinating read. It is a work of art and science with charming illustrations which will delight tree lovers everywhere’. Professor Nicola Spence, the UK Government’s Chief Plant Health Officer

`In this delightful and beautifully illustrated book Jonathan provides a collection of fascinating biographies of some of the world’s most extraordinary trees. […] This is a personal narrative; Jonathan’s love for trees, and his sense of wonder at the diversity of the natural world, shines through on every page’. Richard Deverell, Director, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

`Botanical science, culture and the history of exploration all come together in this journey around the world through many of the most important trees that influence the customs and economy of each country. I would have found it hard to make a better selection of trees that are influential and important to the culture of the many countries [in this] most engaging trip around the world’. Professor Sir Ghillean Prance FRS, VMH, Former Director, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

`Nature writing at its best, skilfully weaving science with fascinating folklore and the sheer wonder of trees’. Professor Sir Charles Godfray CBE FRS

From the Inside Flap
Trees are one of humanity’s most constant and most varied companions. From India’s sacred banyan tree to the fragrant cedar of Lebanon, they offer us sanctuary and inspiration – not to mention the raw materials for everything from aspirin to maple syrup.

In Around the World in 80 Trees, expert Jonathan Drori uses plant science to illuminate how trees play a role in every part of human life, from the romantic to the regrettable. Stops on the trip include the lime trees of Berlin’s Unter den Linden boulevard, which intoxicate amorous Germans and hungry bees alike, the swankiest streets in nineteenth-century London, which were paved with Australian eucalyptus wood, and the redwood forests of California, where the secret to the trees’ soaring heights can be found in the properties of the tiniest drops of water.

Each of these strange and true tales – populated by self-mummifying monks, tree-climbing goats and ever-so-slightly radioactive nuts – is illustrated by Lucille Clerc, taking the reader on a journey that is as informative as it is beautiful.

About the Author
Jonathan Drori is a Trustee of The Eden Project, an Ambassador for the WWF and was for nine years a Trustee of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and The Woodland Trust. He is a Fellow of the Linnean Society and the Zoological Society of London, and a Member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology. He is a former Head of Commissioning for BBC Online and Executive Producer of more than fifty prime-time BBC TV series on science and technology. In 2006 he was awarded a CBE.
Lucille Clerc is an illustrator and graphic designer who works with a diverse range of international clients, from cultural institutions to textile designers, musicians and architects.

Taken from http://www.yourtruenature.com

Standing silently and beautifully in abundance along my favourite wooded track.
This plant ally always holds a great silent majesty to me and I always have to reach out and tickle this beauties little white dangly butternut squash flowers that hang so elegantly from the stem.
Eaten in small amounts The root of this plant is so tasty, like Brazil nuts and bamboo shoots.
The root is also available to harvest without killing off the plant or next years growth.
The root runs along the ground, level with the surface. If you reveal the root you may notice a little upward pointing nubbin in front of the plant, this will be next years growth, behind the plant is all the past growth points.
So as long as you leave a hands length of the past growth root that lies behind the plant and harvest from that point on, you shouldn’t damage the plant.
The root is bone like and has what looks like knuckle points on it, which are the past years plant growth.
The medicine of Solomon seal has been used for years to help bruising and to stimulate tissue repair. This plant ally is also an invaluable connective tissue anti inflammatory.
Be aware that the berries are toxic and the whole plant contains a very very small amount of a toxin (that Lilly of the valley contains in higher amounts) so this plant is best used with caution and in small amounts.
Inspiring Plant person and herbalist Jim McDonald has a brilliant and informative write up about this plant on his website. Describing in detail the medicinal benefits and usage. If you don’t know Jim McDonalds work you should look him up, he is incredibly inspiring.

Reference Brigit Anna McNeill, https://brigitannamcneill.com

Thank you for opening our eyes and reminding us just how wonderful and beautiful our planet is when for much of the time we just take it all for granted and foolishly little by little we let it slip away. Happy 93rd Birthday Sir David Attenborough and thank you for all you have and continue to do to save our planet.

Shared from @amazonfrontlines on Instagram –
The Waorani people have just won a major legal victory to protect half-a-million acres of rainforest from oil and set a historic precedent for indigenous rights! Thank you to everyone who stood behind the Waorani people and helped make this important victory happen. ⠀
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Now we need to ramp up pressure to permanently protect this land and support other indigenous nations whose territories are still on the auction block. Send a message to the Ecuadorian government: respect the court’s decision and respect indigenous rights!.

The outdoor care retreats let nature give a valuable boost in creating a respite from the sterile and stringent hospital environment.

In Norway, the country’s two largest hospitals with the help of the Friluftssykehuset foundation charity, have created Outdoor Care Retreats known as friluftssykehuset. The spaces offer patients {children} from the welcome reprieve from the stringent treatments and isolation that often accompany long term hospitalisation.

The first of the retreats is tucked into the lush forest near a creek, a short walk from the entrance of Oslo’s University Hospital. The sister building cosies up to a pond in the deciduous woodlands by Sorlandet Hospital Kristiansand in the South of Norway.

Bringing patients outside the hospital the children relax and find the strength to get through their hospital treatment. Being in nature gives the children the feeling of possibility, more energy, hope and creativity. The environment contributes to better disease management.

A circular skylight in the retreat allows for tree gazing and the large glass windows can be flung wide open diminishing the line between outside and in. In this way visitors can peek into the woods, smell the damp forest and listen to the sound of trickling water by still being inside the cabin.

Most children play outside by the fire pit when they visit. The children may also be found fishing, chopping wood, shooting arrows and painting pictures.

The cabins are open to children up to the age of 18 with their doctor’s permission and parents can come along during visits.

Although the cabin is integrated in the hospital campus, its secluded location and natural aesthetics allow it to be perceived as a place of its own. It is a place of muted magic, a place out of the ordinary that provides a generous and much needed breathing space for visitors of all ages.

The idea isn’t a new one. In more recent times, the Japanese government introduced the concept of shinrin yoku, or ‘forest bathing’, urging people to make use of the country’s generous wooded area for therapy.

The Friluftssykehuset Foundation plans to build more Outdoor Care Retreats near hospitals in Norway and abroad. Nature is out there waiting patiently to help us heal.

Reference: https://www.treehugger.com/health/norwegian-hospitals-add-woodland-cabins-and-forest-play-nature-healing.html