Arboretum: Tree Survey: "It will give us all an unparalleled understanding of the current value of Sid Valley trees, including their potential for mitigating climate change."

Sidmouth Arboretum is keen to collect data about the wealth of trees in the Valley:
Futures Forum: Arboretum: Tree Survey: training session for supervisors: Thursday 28th November

Our Trees

Every tree in the Sid valley is potentially an Arboretum Tree. We have started to log some of the more interesting trees in our database but are always looking for suggestions for more trees, and for more information about the trees we have already logged. If you have any new information for us, please get in touch.

The current list of trees can be seen in the Tree List and their locations can be found on the Tree Map

We are also interested in the general well-being of all the trees in the valley, and in 2014 will commence a statistical sample tree survey in order to get a base-line to see how the valley as a whole is doing in future years. The sample plots can be seen on the Survey Plots map

If you are able to help, contact us for a login identity, and you will then be able to enter data about the trees you know.

Sidmouth Arboretum - Our Trees

And it has started training young people to help with the survey, as reported in the Herald:

Sidmouth students trained to ID trees for survey

Pupils from St. John's School have been recruited by Dianna East to help fill out a tree survey around Sidmouth. Picture by Alex Walton. 

Stephen SumnerSaturday, April 5, 2014
6:30 AM

Sidmouth Arboretum – the country’s first civic arboretum – is set to achieve another first as it measures the benefits of trees in the Sid Valley. The organisation is sending out more than 200 letters across the town council’s jurisdiction to request access for data collection on public and private land.

Scores of students from Sidmouth College and St John’s School are being trained to identify the trees when in leaf.

St John’s School deputy headmaster Mike Burgess said: “As well as the obvious benefits of social responsibility and taking care of our environment, there are also clear educational benefits across the ages and across disciplines. Following St John’s participation in the [Sid Vale Association’s] million bulb project earlier this year, we were inundated with volunteers to take part in this most worthwhile of exercises.”

Sue Hurley, head of Sidmouth College’s sixth form, said: “After the bulb planting, it seemed like another great way to get the students involved in the community.” The school initially looked at involving sixth formers, but when it transpired the work would be conducted after many were on exams, the gifted and talented geographers took over.

The youngsters will work with the Friends of the Byes and Sidmouth in Bloom to identify future planting sites for trees and shrubs.

Councillor Iain Chubb, East Devon District Council’s environment portfolio holder, said: “The work being undertaken by the Sidmouth Arboretum and its many volunteers is amazing. It will give us all an unparalleled understanding of the current value of Sid Valley trees, including their potential for mitigating climate change.

The Sid Vale Association Keith Owen Fund is backing the survey costs.

Sidmouth students trained to ID trees for survey - News - Sidmouth Herald
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