The Petersfield Society’s stall at the Summer Festival was buzzing with interest from local residents. On sale was the new Petersfield Tree Trail, written by Robin Hart and published by the society, which went like hot cakes – more than 25 were sold.

A giant interactive map of the town, which highlighted our green spaces, including verges, amenity land and private gardens, brought more people to the stall. Using sticky yellow dots, they were asked to mark places in the town where more trees could be planted.

Residents who could make a tree-planting pledge placed red spots on the map within their own gardens. In all, nearly 100 locations were identified (see photograph, right).

The results will be added to the society’s Tree Location Project, which was carried out during the Covid lockdown. This work will feed into a new tree strategy for Petersfield Town Council.

Recent assessments for the government have identified tree coverage in the UK needs to increase significantly. It is imperative more carbon is locked up now and into the future, or there is little hope for limiting the world’s warming to 1.5 degrees C, the so-called “safe level”.

Dr Andy Moffat, convenor of the society’s Green Infrastructure Group, said: “Trees in the town will also provide much-needed shade and cooling during heatwaves, given these are likely to become much more common in the future.

“But trees need to be planted soon so they can grow to the size where they can give us these benefits.”

The Petersfield Society welcomes new tree-planting initiatives across Hampshire, one being the Hampshire Community Forest, a partnership initiative led by Hampshire County Council (HCC).

This aims to bring together communities, residents, businesses, schools, colleges, organisations, farmers and landowners in a bid to plant one million trees by 2050.

HCC will help groups to achieve this by providing advice, funding and support, as well as bringing in expertise.

The Petersfield Society will work with HCC on identifying suitable projects in the town based on its tree location findings.

As well as planting trees, the project aims to record the efforts of everyone on an interactive map to show the trees planted and by whom.

It will showcase successful projects and encourage others to develop projects in their communities.

Part of the project will comprise a tree guardian scheme involving volunteers who will nurture and water trees to ensure their survival. In addition, the project will run a seed-collecting scheme so young germinated seedlings of local stock can be grown on in mini nurseries.

Further information will become available as the project develops.

County councillor Russell Oppenheimer said: “The great thing about the Hampshire Community Forest is everyone can get involved.

“You might choose to become a tree warden and help to keep new trees watered during periods of drought.

“Or you might get stuck in and help plant trees on a community tree-planting day. Everyone can make a difference.

“New trees are not just going to make our towns and villages more beautiful in the coming decades, they are also going to boost biodiversity and help tackle climate change.”