The Windsor & Eton Society

Celebrating Trees in Windsor & Eton

(to mark the  Diamond Jubilee of the society)

In 2006 the Windsor and Eton Society celebrated its Diamond Jubilee:-

v     During November we celebrated the trees of Windsor and Eton. 

v     The aim of the project was to highlight the importance and value of trees especially in an urban setting. 

v     On the 4^th November the launch took place at the Windsor Farmers Market  in St. Leonards Road from 9.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m.

v     Members of the community were invited to vote for their favourite tree from a selection of 16.  Each tree is special. 

v     We had a stall at the Farmers Market at which voting forms will be available.  Images of the 16 trees will be displayed as part of an exhibition, which includes information about the 16 trees as well as the importance and value of trees. 

v     Voting forms were available and it was possible to vote via Email on karin.lohr@tiscali.co.uk  The closing date for voting is 30^th November. 

v     Images, information about the 16 trees and voting forms were available at the following venues:- 

-                     Windsor, Eton, Eton Wick and Dedworth Libraries

-                     Windsor Parish Church

-                     All Saints Church, Dedworth. 

v     13^th – 17^th November the Society mounted a further exhibition at Windsor Library relating to the tree project. 

v     22^nd – 3^rd December to celebrate National Tree Week and the Diamond Jubilee of the Windsor and Eton Society a lime tree was planted in Alexandra Gardens. 

v     Some schools, community groups and families may be interested in organising “tree dressing” during National Tree Week (22nd November  - 3rd December). It is a very enjoyable activity which involves little preparation time. http://www.treecouncil.org.uk/projects/ntw.htm

For further information please contact Karin Lohr – 01753 840651 

WHY TREES MATTER

Trees are vital to life on earth.  They provide food, stabilise the soil, reduce pollution and erosion, absorb carbon dioxide, create oxygen, purify and humidify the air.  They are the biggest and longest lived creatures on earth, they give us shelter and shade and add vitality to the local distinctiveness and meaning of a place.  Their grace and beauty are a source of inspiration.  Deciduous trees keep us in touch with the seasons and with our own mortality. 

Street trees and trees in towns and cities especially need our help.  Something like half of the newly planted trees in urban areas die within 10 years from lack of attention.  They also suffer from pollution, particularly from road salt, and low level ozone caused by car exhaust emissions. 

Most people agree that trees are a good thing, and yet we see them starved of natural food and water, damaged at their roots by earthworks, felled for development, casually vandalised or insensitively pruned.  Many of the most significant trees in our towns and cities were planted more than a century ago, so although this living legacy is wonderful, it is under serious pressure and in steep decline.  With care we can continue to enjoy it for a few years yet, but we also need an extensive programme of replacement planting to provide the trees and woodlands for the future that will match the vision of the past. 

Trees and woods help to improve the quality of life for the millions of people who live and work in urban areas.

For more information on Trees go to http://www.british-trees.com/