East Hampshire’s trees and woodlands will be in safe hands after a meeting calling for volunteer tree wardens drew more than 100 people.

The district council and the Tree Council arranged a meeting in Petersfield to give local people the chance to sign up.

Held in the Rose Room of Petersfield Festival Hall, made available for the event by Petersfield Town Council, the evening included information on what the role entailed and saw talks by experts, including gardening star Pippa Greenwood.

By the end, 38 would-be tree wardens had signed up for the scheme and a tree warden steering group was set up.

Voluntary co-ordinator Dr Andy Moffat, Tree Council director Jon Stokes and East Hampshire arboricultural manager Jamie Gargett will meet to discuss training events for tree wardens, and the new recruits will be introduced to their own parish or town council.

Mr Stokes, Dr Moffat and Dr Kieron Doick from Forest Research, a tree and environmental consultant, also spoke at the event.

Dr Moffat, from Liss – who worked at the Alice Holt Woodland Research Centre – oversaw the i-tree survey in Petersfield which found there were around 60,500 trees within the parish boundary.

The survey recommended procedures and budgets should be identified to ensure the tree population in private and public spaces is cared for and trees are replaced as needed.

Cllr Ingrid Thomas, the neighbourhood quality portfolio holder, said: “We are so pleased so many people attended the meeting. It just goes to show how passionate people are about our trees, woodlands and our whole environment.

“This has really kick-started the tree warden scheme, with 38 volunteers signing up to take part.

“There’s still a lot of work to do and we are still calling for more volunteers, so if you are interested in working in your local community and being a voice for our trees, then sign up to the scheme.

“Tree wardens play an active part in conserving and enhancing the trees and woods we all enjoy around East Hampshire.

“Whether your passion is about getting your hands dirty planting trees, working with your local community, or simply being the eyes, ears and voice for the trees in your part of the world, then we need you to be a tree warden.”

For full details, call East Hampshire arboricultural officer Kevin Peters on 02392 446485 or email [email protected]