See what's coming up, or look back on what's been done before - all Chichester Tree Wardens' events are resourced to fit the time, energy, skills and interests of our volunteers and to help Chichester's communities enjoy, understand and nurture the trees around us. Do let us know if you you'd like to be involved, whether through a listed event or an informal walk. We are constantly learning and would love to learn alongside you, looking at our local trees from new perspectives.
Forthcoming Events
We are excited to have 2 events in the Festival of Chichester in 2024:
- Art in the Park (set in Oaklands Park, thanks to Chichester Festival Theatre and Fiona Bell Currie) on Thursday 4th July; and
- Explore Trees (walk in Priory Park, thanks to Chichester Quakers) on Wednesday 10th July.
In addition we hope to be able to field a team of volunteers to take part in the Gala being organised by Chichester City Council for Saturday 29th June in Priory Park.
Monthly
2024
Photo (above) taken 22nd April 2022 (Paula Chatfield). Ancient woodland remnant of Lower Rouse Copse, Newlands Lane, part of the Whitehouse Farm (West of Chichester) development site.
Spring in Your Step is the Tree Council's celebration of trees and hedgerows in Spring, encouraging us to get outdoors and enjoy them. There's a useful Blossom ID Guide on its website, to help us understand the seasonal rhythms of different trees, and an audio guide for "forest bathing". Closer to the date look out too for published walks.
Although we have nothing specifically planned,
Chichester Tree Wardens are always up for a local walk to enjoy our trees, including both woodland/rural and our "urban forest".
Please get in touch, if you fancy a stroll.
Earth Day
Monday 22nd April 2024
No event currently planned -
please get in touch if you'd like our help with yours.
"Every year on April 22, Earth Day marks the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970."
The theme for 2024 is Planet vs. Plastics:
"For Earth Day 2024, EARTHDAY.ORG is unwavering in our commitment to end plastics for the sake of human and planetary health, demanding a 60% reduction in the production of ALL plastics by 2040."
Find out more on their website, including the Canopy Project.
ChiTrees
ongoing project
May until leaf-fall 2024
resuming in 2025
Please
volunteer
to start collecting and contributing information on our local trees as and when suits you.
See our project page for planned group recording sessions which complement independent recording.
If we don't know what trees we have where, how can we understand and value what they're doing?
Chichester Tree Wardens' ChiTrees project aims to mobilise as many volunteers as possible to map and measure trees in our urban areas. The tree data collected will be input into professionally-developed software to calculate:
- how much carbon our trees are capturing and storing,
- how they are improving our air quality improvement, and
- the flood risk mitigation they provide,
and the value of these services in economic terms.
The Project launched with an Information and Training event on 18th June 2022.
Photo taken 22nd September 2020 (Paula Chatfield). the hedgerows around Bishop Luffa School's Oliver Whitby Field (view south-west from corner Flaxman Avenue/Sherborne Road).
Join with
Hedgelink project partners to celebrate and raise awareness of the importance of hedgerows during this hedgerow focus week and beyond.
Visit the
website for latest news.
The
Tree Council's Branching Out Community Fund offers grants for community hedgerow planting projects. You can sign up to be notified when applications re-open.
Photo extract of Urban Tree Festival website (3rd April 2023).
"The Urban Tree Festival is an annual, community celebration of trees: their benefits and beauty, their majesty and magic, in cities, towns and all urban environments. Events, celebrations, walks, talks and storytellings are held across London and the UK, bringing all our communities together to share their enjoyment of trees and nature."
Explore the UTF website to find events that you can access, and/or volunteer to help Chichester Tree Wardens stage an event of our own.
We are not currently planning to resource our own event but Chichester Tree Wardens welcome enquiries from other organisations as to how we can support events you are planning.
Printed brochures will be available from Friday 5th April 2024 when the Festival Box Office is also due to open.
Look out for Chichester Tree Wardens' events on 4th and 10th July.
West's Wood Fair
Friday 21st, Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd June 2024
Immerse yourself in a proper country fair all about wood! Event is held in East Dean.
Find out more about the event and its sponsors on the event website.
Art in the Park - Celebrating Trees
with Fiona Bell Currie & Chichester Tree Wardens
Thursday 4th July 2024
9.30am to 4.00pm
Outside Chichester Festival Theatre,
PO19 6AP
Discover quick ways to render the magnificent trees around Chichester Festival Theatre, try drawing
or painting with experienced enthusiastic teacher Fiona.
Also an informal drop-in to meet volunteer Chichester Tree Wardens and enjoy exploring nearby trees.
Festival Box Office opens for booking on Friday 5th April 2024.
Explore Trees with Chichester Tree Wardens,
in Priory Park
Wednesday 10th July 2024
6.00pm
Start and finish at Friends Meeting House, Priory Road, PO19 1NX
Accompany Chichester Tree Wardens on a walk in Priory Park to enjoy and learn about its trees.
Meet at Friends Meeting House, Priory Road, and return there for refreshments and conversation.
Approx. one-hour walk, plus social. Sponsored by Chichester Quakers.
Festival Box Office opens for booking on Friday 5th April 2024. Tickets free, but spaces limited. (Cash donations welcome, if desired, at end.)
Seed Gathering Season
23rd September to
23rd October 2024
Photo taken 11th October 2020 (Paula Chatfield). Sweet chestnut cases opening, tree in the Oliver Whitby Field (Bishop Luffa School), corner Flaxman Avenue/Sherborne Road.
The Tree Council's annual Seed Gathering Season inspires everyone to join us to gather seeds, fruits and nuts which can be nurtured to grow the trees of the future. The month-long campaign, which has been running for more than 20 years, starts on the autumn equinox, considered to be the first day of autumn.
Do look out for trees which fruit earlier, such as wild cherry in July. The Tree Growers Guide is great for working out what to do when.
Photo taken Thursday 1st April 2021 (Paula Chatfield). Fallen wood at Hook Dyke, Whitehouse Farm.
A celebration of the importance of fungi to life on earth, and a look at the fungi we may come across in Chichester - what it is and what it's doing. Explore the many resources on the UK Fungus Day website, including a photo competition, films and events.
National Tree Week is the UK’s largest annual tree celebration, marking the start of the winter tree planting season (November to March each year).
Please get in touch if you would like to suggest/request an event for National Tree Week, or help us to organise one.
2023
National Tree Week is the UK’s largest annual tree celebration, marking the start of the winter tree planting season (November to March each year).
Please get in touch if you would like to suggest/request an event for National Tree Week, or help us to organise one.
ChiTrees
ongoing project
May until leaf-fall 2023
continuing in 2024
Please
volunteer
to start collecting and contributing information on our local trees as and when suits you.
See our project page for planned group recording sessions which complement independent recording.
If we don't know what trees we have where, how can we understand and value what they're doing?
Chichester Tree Wardens' ChiTrees project aims to mobilise as many volunteers as possible to map and measure trees in our urban areas. The tree data collected will be input into professionally-developed software to calculate:
- how much carbon our trees are capturing and storing,
- how they are improving our air quality improvement, and
- the flood risk mitigation they provide,
and the value of these services in economic terms.
The Project launched with an Information and Training event on 18th June 2022.
Seed Gathering Season
Saturday 23rd September to
Monday 23rd October 2023
Photo taken 11th October 2020 (Paula Chatfield). Sweet chestnut cases opening, tree in the Oliver Whitby Field (Bishop Luffa School), corner Flaxman Avenue/Sherborne Road.
The Tree Council's annual Seed Gathering Season inspires everyone to join us to gather seeds, fruits and nuts which can be nurtured to grow the trees of the future. The month-long campaign, which has been running for more than 20 years, starts on the autumn equinox, considered to be the first day of autumn.
Do look out for trees which fruit earlier, such as wild cherry in July. The Tree Growers Guide is great for working out what to do when.
Photo taken Thursday 1st April 2021 (Paula Chatfield). Fallen wood at Hook Dyke, Whitehouse Farm.
A celebration of the importance of fungi to life on earth, and a look at the fungi we may come across in Chichester - what it is and what it's doing. Explore the many resources on the UK Fungus Day website, including a photo competition, films and events.
Pond work (details nearer the time).
Please see our Volunteer at Brandy Hole Copse page for further details, including how to volunteer.
Making records of trees (please bring binoculars, if you have them).
Please see our Volunteer at Brandy Hole Copse page for further details, including how to volunteer.
Observation and records of trees and butterflies (butterflies weather dependent) – long trousers advised.
Please see our Volunteer at Brandy Hole Copse page for further details, including how to volunteer.
Art in the Park:
Celebrating Chichester's Trees
- A Festival of Chichester Event
Thursday 6th July 2023
10.30am to 12.30pm
2 to 4.30pm
please use entrance off Avenue de Chartres behind The Old Cottage Indian restaurant (CHICHESTER PO19 1RP)
Photo (above) taken 18th July 2020 (Paula Chatfield). Bishops Palace Garden from the City Walls walk (west).
The route of our Chichester City Centre Tree Trail runs through the Gardens, with some trees featured. However all trees now have numbered tree tags and there's a printed list on the gardeners' shed at the entrance from Cannon Lane. Thanks to a local enthusiast, the list is now online with accompanying photographs for each entry and you can explore it here.
Local artist Fiona Bell Currie and sculptress and ceramicist Sue Machado, both experienced and enthusiastic teachers, encourage you to enjoy painting, drawing and paper sculpting inspired by the trees in this lovely historic public garden. Each session (morning or afternoon) includes demonstration of techniques and a workshop to practise them yourself. ADULTS only.
Chichester Tree Wardens will run mini Tree Trails to explore the diversity of trees growing here and inspire your art.
For more details, and to book, please click this link. There is no charge, but places are limited to 20 at each paper sculpture class.
West's Wood Fair
Friday 16th, Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th June 2023
Immerse yourself in a proper country fair all about wood! Event is held in East Dean.
Find out more about the event and its sponsors on the event website.
*New* Volunteer Working Party at Brandy Hole Copse
Tuesday 13th
June 2023
Please see our Volunteer at Brandy Hole Copse page for further details, including how to volunteer.
We are unable to resource our own event but, as in previous years (when Big Green Week was held in the autumn), Chichester Tree Wardens welcome enquiries from other organisations as to how we can support events you are planning.
Photo extract of Urban Tree Festival website (3rd April 2023).
"The Urban Tree Festival is an annual, community celebration of trees: their benefits and beauty, their majesty and magic, in cities, towns and all urban environments. Events, celebrations, walks, talks and storytellings are held across London and the UK, bringing all our communities together to share their enjoyment of trees and nature."
Explore the UTF website to find events that you can access, and/or volunteer to help Chichester Tree Wardens stage an event of our own in 2024.
Brandy Hole Copse -
Green Gym
DATES TO BE CONFIRMED
was Tuesdays
10 - 11.30 a.m.
Details: numbers limited. To participate, please contact Chichester District Council (email environmentalstrategy@chichester.gov.uk ).
Photo to follow.
Update May 2023:
Working Parties to resume monthly.
Please see our Volunteer at Brandy Hole Copse page for further details, including how to volunteer.
Update 30th September 2022:
Regular volunteer working party in Brandy Hole Copse, now lapsed.
Chichester Tree Wardens are working to support the Friends of Brandy Hole Copse and Chichester District Council to sustain long term management of the Copse as Chichester's only designated Local Nature Reserve.
Photo taken 22nd September 2020 (Paula Chatfield). the hedgerows around Bishop Luffa School's Oliver Whitby Field (view south-west from corner Flaxman Avenue/Sherborne Road).
Join with
Hedgelink project partners to celebrate and raise awareness of the importance of hedgerows during this hedgerow focus week and beyond.
Visit the
website to catch up on last year's free webinars; learn how to grow a hedge from seed; manage an existing hedge; plant a hedge and more.
Already running is Chris Packham’s ‘Hedge of the Year’ competition : the Springwatch presenter is seeking photograph nominations for Britain’s Best or Worst Hedgerow 2022-23 (Hedge Heroes and Hedge Wrecks!). Winners are expected to be revealed in autumn 2023.
The
Tree Council's Branching Out Community Fund offers grants for community hedgerow planting projects. You can sign up to be notified when applications re-open.
Photo (above) taken 22nd April 2022 (Paula Chatfield). Ancient woodland remnant of Lower Rouse Copse, Newlands Lane, part of the Whitehouse Farm (West of Chichester) development site.
Spring in Your Step is the Tree Council's new festival to appreciate the beauty of local trees and hedgerows in Spring through guided tours by local volunteer Tree Wardens. Running throughout April, it replaces the Walk in the Woods/Walk where you May campaigns run in previous years.
Although we have nothing specifically planned,
Chichester Tree Wardens are always up for a local walk to enjoy our trees, including both woodland/rural and our "urban forest".
Please get in touch, if you fancy a stroll.
Earth Day - Wild Escape
Saturday 22nd April 2023
10am to 2pm
at Priory Park,
Priory Road, CHICHESTER PO19 1NS
Photo (above) taken 18th March 2023 (Paula Chatfield). Priory Park from the City Walls north walk.
Tree Spotters' Challenge sheet and Spot the Difference sheets available below.
Chichester Tree Wardens are supporting The Novium Museum at its a family-friendly celebration of nature and biodiversity in Chichester city centre. Details here.
Our Tree Spotters' Challenge invites you to look at the Park's trees with new eyes; compare the Park today with old photographs to Spot the Difference; and/or take part in a citizens' science project measuring trees.
The West Sussex County Arboriculturist joins us as a volunteer to reveal 'How trees work' with walk-and-talks at 11.15am and 12.15pm. Spaces limited to approx. 15 at each time; duration roughly 30-minutes.
Queen's Green Canopy
Now extended to
31st March 2023
to give people the opportunity to plant trees in memoriam to honour Her Majesty
Details: national initiative started on Friday 1st October 2021
Photo to follow.
Plant a Tree for the Jubilee
to mark Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee in 2022. National initiative encouraging everyone to play their part to enhance our environment by planting trees from October 2021, when the tree planting season begins, through to the end of the Jubilee year in 2022, creating a legacy which will benefit future generations.
The Queen’s Green Canopy will also dedicate a network of 70 Ancient Woodlands across the United Kingdom and identify 70 Ancient Trees to celebrate Her Majesty’s 70 years of service.
There is an emphasis on planting sustainably and the
website includes advice on how to Plan, Plant, and Protect.
2022
National Tree Week is the UK’s largest annual tree celebration, marking the start of the winter tree planting season (November to March each year).
Please get in touch if you would like to suggest/request an event for National Tree Week, or help us to organise one.
ChiTrees
ongoing project
Phase 1 of this project runs until leaf-fall 2022.
Please
volunteer
to start collecting and contributing information on our local trees as and when suits you.
If we don't know what trees we have where, how can we understand and value what they're doing?
Chichester Tree Wardens' ChiTrees project aims to mobilise as many volunteers as possible to map and measure trees in our urban areas. The tree data collected will be input into professionally-developed software to calculate:
- how much carbon our trees are capturing and storing,
- how they are improving our air quality improvement, and
- the flood risk mitigation they provide,
and the value of these services in economic terms.
The Project launched with an Information and Training event on 18th June 2022.
Seed Gathering Season
Thursday 22nd September to
Saturday 22nd October 2022
Photo taken 11th October 2020 (Paula Chatfield). Sweet chestnut cases opening, tree in the Oliver Whitby Field (Bishop Luffa School), corner Flaxman Avenue/Sherborne Road.
The Tree Council's annual Seed Gathering Season inspires everyone to join us to gather seeds, fruits and nuts which can be nurtured to grow the trees of the future. The month-long campaign, which has been running for more than 20 years, starts on September 22, which is the autumn equinox and considered to be the first day of autumn.
Photo taken 22nd September 2020 (Paula Chatfield). the hedgerows around Bishop Luffa School's Oliver Whitby Field (view south-west from corner Flaxman Avenue/Sherborne Road).
Join with
Hedgelink project partners to celebrate and raise awareness of the importance of hedgerows during this hedgerow focus week and beyond.
Visit the
website to register to join a free webinar; learn how to grow a hedge from seed; manage an existing hedge; support a campaign; pledge a hedge, or plant one; or enter a photo for TV presenter, Chris Packham’s ‘Hedge of the Year’ competition going live on 10 October. (The Springwatch presenter is looking for his Hedge Heroes and Hedge Wrecks - the winners will be revealed in National Hedgerow Week 2023.)
The
Tree Council's Branching Out Community Fund, which offers grants for community hedgerow planting projects, is open for applications until 4th December 2022.
Photo taken Thursday 1st April 2021 (Paula Chatfield). Fallen wood at Hook Dyke, Whitehouse Farm.
A celebration of the importance of fungi to life on earth, and a look at the fungi we may come across in Chichester - what it is and what it's doing. Explore the many resources on the UK Fungus Day website, including a photo competition, films and events.
Eco Fair
Saturday 1st October 2022
2.30 - 5.00 p.m.
at Jubilee Hall,
New Park Community Centre,
New Park Rd, Chichester PO19 7XY
Part of the Great Big Green Week
Chichester Tree Wardens join other local environmental organisations to offer information and activities.
Event organised by Transition Chichester.
"We're really looking forward to meeting people, lots of conversation, and the chance to enjoy paying special attention to the trees in that part of Jubilee Park beside the New Park Centre. There is so much to see!"
Paula, Chair, Chichester Tree Wardens
Brandy Hole Copse -
Green Gym
Tuesday 5th July 2022
10 - 11.30 a.m.
Details: numbers limited. To participate, please contact Jen Pollitt (email gg.brandyholecopse@gmail.com / jpollitt@chichester.gov.uk ).
Photo to follow.
BioSurveys - butterflies/ground beetles
Green Gym's last BioSurvey of the season. Usually the most abundant survey.
Volunteers need sturdy shoes, sun protection, refreshments.
Brandy Hole Copse -
Green Gym
Tuesday 28th June 2022
10 - 11.30 a.m.
Details: numbers limited. To participate, please contact Jen Pollitt (email gg.brandyholecopse@gmail.com / jpollitt@chichester.gov.uk ).
Photo to follow.
Survey - Oriental Chestnut Gall Wasp
Galls have appeared on sweet chestnut trees. Green Gym volunteers will be checking what compartments of the Copse have been affected.
Volunteers need sturdy shoes, gardening gloves, sun protection, refreshments. In addition, binoculars will be required.
West's Wood Fair
Saturday 18th and
Sunday 19th June 2022
Photo t0 follow.
Immerse yourself in a proper country fair all about wood! Event is held in East Dean.
Find out more about the event and its sponsors on the event website.
ChiTrees
Information and Training event
Saturday 18th June 2022
Please volunteer
Phase 1 of this project runs until leaf-fall 2022.
If we don't know what trees we have where, how can we understand and value what they're doing?
Chichester Tree Wardens' ChiTrees project aims to mobilise as many volunteers as possible to map and measure trees in our urban areas. The tree data collected will be input into professionally-developed software to calculate:
- how much carbon our trees are capturing and storing,
- how they are improving our air quality improvement, and
- the flood risk mitigation they provide,
and the value of these services in economic terms.
Sign up to attend our Information and Training event here and start collecting and contributing information on our local trees as and when suits you.
Photo (above) taken 11th May 2021 (Paula Chatfield). Ancient woodland remnant of Lower Rouse Copse, Newlands Lane, part of the Whitehouse Farm (West of Chichester) development site. Walk with participants in local environment network Eco Chi.
The Tree Council's "Walk in the Woods" campaign month is May, but who needs an excuse to walk in the woods?! Chichester Tree Wardens are always up for a local walk to enjoy our trees, including both woodland/rural and our "urban forest".
Please get in touch, if you fancy a stroll.
2021
National Tree Week
Saturday 27th November to Sunday 5th December 2021
Details: to be advised
National Tree Week is the UK’s largest annual tree celebration, marking the start of the winter tree planting season (November to March each year).
Photo (left) taken 13th November 2020 (Jenny Cole). Covid controls and uncertainty made it impossible to organise any volunteer tree-planting event for National Tree Week 2020, so we fund-raised and relied on the professionals to plant trees for us! Here they are in Hay Road, Whyke planting one of over 70 trees resulting from our Mind the Gap project.
Seed Gathering Season
Wednesday 22nd September to
Friday 22nd October 2021
Photo taken 11th October 2020 (Paula Chatfield). Sweet chestnut cases opening, tree in the Oliver Whitby Field (Bishop Luffa School), corner Flaxman Avenue/Sherborne Road.
The Tree Council's annual Seed Gathering Season inspires everyone to join us to gather seeds, fruits and nuts which can be nurtured to grow the trees of the future. The month-long campaign, which has been running for more than 20 years, starts on September 22, which is the autumn equinox and considered to be the first day of autumn.
UK Fungus Day
Saturday 2nd October 2021
Details: to be advised
Photo taken Thursday 1st April 2021 (Paula Chatfield). Fallen wood at Hook Dyke, Whitehouse Farm.
A celebration of the importance of fungi to life on earth, and a look at the fungi we come across in Chichester - what it is and what it's doing.
Event planning will take place nearer the time, when it becomes easier to predict what, if any, controls relating to the covid pandemic will be in place.
Work in progress: summer 2021 events to be added if time permits.