Green Your Patch

4.54.56pm GMT Wed 22nd Nov 2006

The UK needs more trees and The Tree Councils National Tree Week (22 November to 3 December) which celebrates the start of the winter planting season is the ideal time to get out and do something about it.

We want people to help us celebrate by seizing the occasion to plant more trees of the right kind and in the right places,said Tree Council director-general Pauline Buchanan Black. At the moment woodland cover in this country is less than 12 per cent. Thats quite an increase since 1980 when it was only just over nine per cent, but the UK is still one of the least wooded countries in Europe and we all need to do something about it.

There are also lots of exciting events ranging from tree planting to walks, talks, story telling, tree dressing and woodcrafts taking place during National Tree Week.

Visit The Tree Council website, www.treecouncil.org.uk, for details of National Tree Week events and tips on tree planting and aftercare. Event information is also available from The Tree Council infoline, 020 7940 8180 (office hours).