TREE lovers are invited to a meeting as part of a bid to relaunch a tree warden scheme in East Hampshire.

East Hampshire District Council is looking to recruit volunteers willing to take on tasks that will protect and nurture the district’s trees.

At the end of the month, a meeting is being held to describe the role of tree wardens and encourage people to step forward.

Cllr Ingrid Thomas, the council’s portfolio holder for neighbourhood quality, said: “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.”

The meeting will include speakers with particular knowledge of trees in East Hampshire.

Speakers will include Pippa Greenwood, the well-known gardening expert, Jon Stokes from the Tree Council, Dr Kieron Doick from Forest Research and Dr Andy Moffat from Liss, who oversaw the i-Tree Survey in Petersfield.

In the survey report Dr Moffat, who worked at Alice Holt Woodland Research Centre, said there were about 60,500 trees inside the parish boundary.

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

Cllr Thomas added: “Basically we want to get as many interested people to the event as we can and start to build up a network of people that can serve as tree wardens.

“They will keep an eye on the health and numbers of trees in their area.

“If you’re passionate about trees or just love being out in the great outdoors come along to the meeting and find out how you can get involved.”

Anyone with an interest in trees and their local environment is welcome to attend the meeting on Monday, January 27, in The Rose Room of the Festival Hall off Heath Road in Petersfield.

Doors open at 7pm and the meeting will start at 7.30pm and last for approximately two hours.

For more information email the council’s arboricultural officer Kevin Peters at [email protected] or call him on 02392 446485.