In keeping with my tree theme this weekend, here are some useful websites to inspire you to actually plant one in your garden.Now is the perfect time to establish a new tree to allow it time to settle before the summer. Do remember to water any new plantings as the weather is very dry this winter.

 http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/Profile.aspx?pid=237

http://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/en/moretrees-moregood/advice-centre/guides-tools/Pages/help.aspx

http://www.cityplanter.co.uk/practical/how-to/how-to-plant-a-bare-root-tree

If you are inspired to buy trees – then check out these excellent websites:

http://www.tree-shop.co.uk/

http://www.ornamental-trees.co.uk/

And for really large specimens do visit:http://www.barcham.co.uk/how-to-buy-large-trees-online

*A single mature tree can absorb carbon dioxide at a rate of 48 lbs./year and release enough oxygen back into the atmosphere to support 2 human beings.” 

http://chemistry.about.com/od/environmentalchemistry/f/oxygen-produced-by-trees.htm

With the world population now at a staggering 7 billion, the importance of  preserving our existing trees and planting new ones  in over crowded cities has never been more important.

London has a population of about 9 million with around 1.75 million people living in areas that are further than 1km from an open space containing nature or wildlife.

To make their environment more green, Londoners can now log onto http://www.london.gov.uk/streettrees and request a tree be planted outside their homes using a brilliant scheme that  Mayor Boris has created.

This programme has already planted 9,500 of the 10,000 trees it wants to have in place across the capital by 2012 in 40 areas chosen by a panel of experts including Trees for Cities, the London Tree Officers Association and the Forestry Commission. http://www.london.gov.uk/priorities/environment/urban-space/releaf-london

There are manyother projects in various UK locations that are run by Trees for Cities – check out your local tree planting project at: http://www.treesforcities.org/how-we-help/our-projects/

Tree-lined streets only have 10-15% of the dust of a street without trees and are on average  6-10C cooler. They also absorb traffic noise, provide habitats for wildlife and, most importantly, mitigate the effects of global warming by absorbing carbon dioxide.

They look beautiful as well – especially when the blossom is out !

Speaking of trees, did you know that Google Earth now has an amazing 3D tree facility that lets you look at how trees compliment our cities. At the moment they only have certain locations like New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Tokyo Berlin and Athens mapped but this amazing facility must be good for enhancing the current and future effect of trees for our planet and their importance in fighting climate change. http://google-latlong.blogspot.com/2010/11/3d-trees-in-google-earth-6.html

Another great Google Earth offering is Climate Change in Our World, the product of a collaboration between Google, the UK Government and the Met Office Hadley Centre

Climate Change in Our World

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate-change/guide/future/google-earth

In the UK the leaves are falling as Autumn winds whip up and the beautiful sunny days we have enjoyed this October are a distant memory.

If you want to catch the last of the Autumn displays in various forests around the UK visit http://www.forestry.gov.uk/england-autumn

London is very protective of its trees. There are a number of very special specimens that are highlighted in this interesting article. http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/london/hi/people_and_places/nature/newsid_8256000/8256682.stm

Maintaining the balance between a city that is expanding its population and buildings with providing a healthy environment for trees to survive is  a priority for London. It has led to the creation of a unique organisation called The Trees and Action Group. This collection of pioneering individuals, professionals and orgnistions from both the private and pubic sectors have come together to increase the awareness of the role of trees in the built environment. They are responding to studies that show how in urban areas all over England our trees are under threat. Yet, trees should be a vital part of infrastructure planning and need to be given equal weight and value to grey infrastructure elements.

The TDA shares the collective vision that the location of trees and all the benefits they bring, can be secured for future generations by influencing the planning, design, construction and management of our urban infrastructure and spaces.http://www.tdag.org.uk/tdag-guidance.html

 http://www.rhs.org.uk/Gardens/News/Westonbirt-searches-for-trees-of-the-future

Guy Barter, chief horticultural adviser at the RHS, said: “We are certainly beginning to see plants beginning to show colour because of the unusual weather we have had.”

He said a reasonably wet winter was followed by an extremely dry spring, and despite rainfall since the spring, it had not been enough to counter extremely dry soils.

As a result, he said: “Trees and shrubs are under a lot of water stress. It’s not fatal because they are well adapted but it makes them get rid of their leaves.”

He said it was not a problem for the trees, which had a very good growing season because of the early warm weather and would be in good condition for next year

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/countryside/8712804/Autumn-comes-early-after-hot-dry-spring.html

Trees are vital to the future of our planet as they soak up carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/nov/26/trees-to-combat-climate-change

Wherever you live in the world please  think about where you can plant more  trees – they are beautiful and easy to look after as long as you choose the right tree for the right soil and position.http://www.treecanada.ca/publications/guide.htm

Use these sites to find out more and make your selections:

http://www.tree-shop.co.uk/

http://www.fast-growing-trees.com/

http://www.treetrader.co.uk/

The beautiful trees that Kate and William chose to make Westminster Abbey look greener and connected to nature will be on display until 6th May before they are taken to Highgrove to be planted.

http://www.officialroyalwedding2011.org/blog/2011/April/26/Floral-Displays-in-the-Abbey-and-Buckingham-Palace

After the nationalistic excess of the past few days it is great to get back into the garden and catch up on what is thriving in this glorious weather. The heavy downpours last night really helped the dry soil and has made my rocket seed that I planted just 14 days ago sprout even more.

Think I might be harvesting my first crop very soon if the warm weather continues – blue skies and 20c here again today in the South.Missed out on holding a garden party yesterday but thinking about holding a summer one.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/royal-wedding/8474663/Host-a-Royal-Wedding-garden-party.html

The inside of Westminster Abbey will be looking as green as the outside on Friday as Kate Middleton has requested that the Abbey be dressed with six English field maples and two hornbeams, which are up to 20ft tall.

It appears that Kate is “very green” in her outlook and insisted that all the flowers and plants used are British. She chose the field maples as they symbolise humility and reserve and it was used to make loving cups in medieval times while the hornbeam signifies resilience.

The seasonal flowers being used in the Abbey displays include Solomon’s seal, brought from Sandringham, which symbolises confirmation of love; azaleas, the Chinese symbol of femininity; lilacs, which represent first love, and blossoms, signifying spiritual beauty.Other varities  include rhododendron, euphorbias, beech and wisteria, mostly from Windsor Great Park.

Although the bridal bouquet would remain a secret until the wedding day, Kate is expected to continue the “green is a very important thing” concept.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/royal-wedding/8474197/Royal-wedding-Kate-Middleton-to-walk-down-avenue-of-trees-inside-Westminster-Abbey.html

Very pleased to know that our future Queen understands the power and beaty of our precious plants.If you feel inspired by Kate’s love of  english trees visit English Woodlands to buy some for your own garden:http://www.ewburrownursery.co.uk/