Launching Rothbury Tree Wardens

On Monday 4th April, after many months of me hectoring NCC, a fabulous team from Northumberland County Council came to Rothbury to officially launch the Tree Warden Scheme across Northumberland. We were looking forward to telling and showing the leader of NCC, Cllr Glen Sanderson, what we have been doing.

Rothbury Tree Wardens are proud to have initiated and pioneered this - alongside the Tree Council. It is great to know that other Tree Warden groups will now be supported by NCC throughout Northumberland.

You know, when I get an idea I always want things to happen now! But of course, political wheels turn slowly. And we have got here. It is fabulous to have this acknowledgement. I am very grateful to the Climate Change Team at County Hall, which has been completely supportive and helpful in making this happen.

After Alan Winlow worked with NCC to identify a suitable, large, verge to plant the 150 saplings, and 5 large standard trees, we needed to make three paths through the dying down bracken. Carefully, of course, so as not to disturb any habitats.

Rabbits appear to have made burrow holes by many of the saplings. I am sure these holes were not here when we planted. I am fascinated by this, and wonder if they do it as some kind of navigation? I mean, they can easily see, from the sapling, where an entrance is? Might this be possible?

When planting the five bigger trees, Mike Evens, the Village Gardener, kindly transported the trees, and dug the first hole, showing us how it needed to be. NCC brought the tubing, which are planted with the trees, so that we can water directly to the roots.

In the summer months, the verge becomes wild. That is fine, but we Tree Wardens maintain the paths, and check weekly on the saplings.

Thanks are due to all the tree wardens, and other members of Rothbury Climate and Nature who turned out on the launch day. Many members of the community came along and helped us to plant 150 little trees. How lovely is that? Tree Wardens take care of these special little saplings, and will be keeping an eye on (and watering) the large trees. A special call out to Professor Darren Evans, for his kind help to the younger members who came along to help. And to Jane Cheadle. This wonderful woman has been quietly planting trees around Coquetdale for several years now. She is quite the unsung hero. She just gets on with it, always self-deprecating, never wanting or seeking praise. But I must tell you, I am very proud indeed to be her friend, and am so happy she is a Rothbury Tree Warden. She dug a deep hole on the launch day, in very difficult ground, for a stunning silver birch.

Our future really is in the hands and hearts of our youngsters, so it was gratifying to welcome Coquetdale kids to the event.