Valuing trees: the cost of replacing the Sid Valley's trees

During last week's Science Festival, the Arboretum put on a very well-attended event:
Futures Forum: Sidmouth Arboretum @ Sidmouth Science Festival >>> "What have trees ever done for us?" >>> launch of valley-wide tree survey >>> Weds 14th October

Here is a summary of the survey:
SIDMOUTH ARBORETUM TREE SURVEY: Summary Report on i-Tree Eco Survey: Carried out by volunteers in the Sid Valley 2014

Both the report and the talk have raised several issues:
Futures Forum: Putting a cash price on the environmental services provided by nature

The Herald's take on the evening looked another side of the 'value of trees' in the Valley:

The value of protecting our trees: £170million replacement cost

12:35 23 October 2015

Eleanor Pipe

A talk on trees and hedges was given at Kennaway House on Wednesday as part of Sidmouth Science Week. Ref shs 4332-42-15SH. Picture: Simon Horn

A major survey of trees in the Sid Valley has marked the first step towards protecting and improving the environment for years to come.

Sidmouth Science Festival provided a forum for Kenton Rogers of Treeconomics to reveal and analyse the summary report of the work carried out by volunteers across 18 square miles of the valley.

Well received by a wide audience, including students from St John’s International School, the results will form the basis of future action and the organising of groups ahead of a tree summit on November 27.

Sidmouth Arboretum commissioned the survey in order to get facts on the values and benefits of trees, with the help of non-profit-making organisation, Treeconomics.

Diana East, chairman of Sidmouth Arboretum, said there has been a great deal of support so far from across the Sid Valley, including from land owners and volunteers. She said: “The survey is the beginning, it’s the first step. It gives some figures and some publicity from which to move forwards.

“On November 27, a group of people will come together and this will be an opportunity to see what we are actually going to do about this - where we are going to plant trees and how can we protect trees we have.

“We are working in a very positive way with Sidmouth Town Council to improve the appearance of The Ham and boat park by planting trees and maintaining trees and hedges.”

The survey report puts a price tag of £170million on replacing Sid Valley trees and says putting a value on them helps people to understand that care and maintenance are real issues especially in the urban landscape.

At the talk, hosted at Kennaway House on Wednesday, October 14, Robert Wolton also invited people to get involved with a community hedge group – details of which will be finalised at the tree summit.

The summit will be held at the Cellar Bar of Kennaway House between 6pm and 9pm on Friday, November 27, and will provide an opportunity for people to network and share ideas in an informal setting.

To see the summary report of the tree survey, visit: www.sidmoutharboretum.org.uk.

The value of protecting our trees: £170million replacement cost - News - Sidmouth Herald

The Sidmouth Tree Summit will form part of the Tree Council's Tree Week in November:
The Tree Council > Take Part > National Tree Week
National Tree Week
National Tree Week – 26th November- 4th December - International Tree Foundation

See also:
Futures Forum: Sidmouth Arboretum: how to protect trees and woodland
Futures Forum: Protecting trees: A new tree warden for Sidmouth
Futures Forum: Protecting trees in East Devon: District Council to debate
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