Tree warden and Sunken Garden Society founder Peter Hasted, in association with Thanet Urban Forest, will be hosting guided walks of some of Thanet’s most prized treescapes from this weekend as part of National Tree Week.
National Tree Week 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of the famous ‘Plant a Tree in 73’ campaign, which was a Government-sponsored project in the UK, aimed at encouraging the population to plant trees during the 1973 ‘National Tree Planting Year’. At the time a new, virulent strain of Dutch Elm Disease was sweeping the country, killing millions of trees.
From this campaign, came the birth of the Tree Council in 1974 which acted as an overarching organisation for local groups involved in the planting, care and conservation of trees throughout the United Kingdom. National Tree Week has been celebrated in November of every year since.
Thanet’s Tree Week events take place towards the end of this month as Winter begins, because it’s the best time for trees to be planted before the cold sets in and the soil temperatures drop below 5 degrees.
To pay homage to its history, the Tree Council is encouraging as many people as possible to have the opportunity to ‘Grow a Tree in 23.’
Peter Hasted, Managing Director of Thanet Urban Forest, said: “I am looking forward to guiding members of the public around some of Thanet’s most prized treescapes. The Tree Council’s “National Tree Week” is a great opportunity to encourage members of the public to celebrate trees and to find out what trees mean to you.
“Thanet Urban Forest has been working with other community groups over the last year to develop a Community Tree Nursery (CTN), because we want to grow trees, not just plant them.”
Tree Walk Events
Saturday 25th November: Sunken Gardens, Westbrook 1:30pm
Sunday 26th: Montefiore Woodland, Ramsgate 11:00am
Sunday 26th: George VI Park, Ramsgate 1:30pm
Wednesday 29th: Pierremont Park, Broadstairs 2pm
Saturday 2nd December: Hartsdown Park, Margate 11:00am
Saturday 2nd: Dane Park, Margate 1:30pm
Sunday 3rd: Westover Gardens, Broadstairs 11:00am
Sunday 3rd: Dane Valley Green, Margate 1:30pm
Garlinge ward councillor John Worrow, who is the chair of the Friends of Hartsdown Park Group, said: “This is a brilliant initiative and I would like to thank Peter for all the great work he’s doing, not just for our park but also for green areas across our district. I look forward to attending along with the rest of the Hartsdown Park Team, and I strongly recommend it to everyone that’s interested in the environment.”
Ramsgate councillor Tony Ovenden said: “The Montefiore woodland is a much loved public open space that is an amazing example of urban woodland.
“The woodland walk will give an educational insight into the diversity of the woodland that I sure people will find most interesting.”
Peter thanked Cllr Joanne Bright for assisting with the Broadstairs events
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