How can our Veteran Trees be helped?

[Andy Collins]

Following on from a couple of threads, and several points raised re:funding. This country has several charities involved with trees. Is there not one out there that can raise funds to support our veteran trees. There are pots of cash available to support all sorts of community projects, planting schemes and so on. If a vet tree was to be saved, but required fencing off to protect both itself and the public, could not one of these available pots be sourced? I don't know the answers, I don't even know where to begin with this, but I do know that charities can qualify for some of this cash.

[agg221]

I'd been following the beech dismantle thread, and thinking along similar lines, but from a slightly different background.

 

As most people are aware, I don't work in Arb. It's where my interests lie outside the office. I run a contract R&D group, and at the moment about 80% of the funding I secure is through competitive public tender. This means I don't get anything as of right - everything is through a bid process. For context, we are in the middle of the final funding round for the current series of EU projects which run in seven year cycles (sorry anyone for erratic replies to PMs etc but this is why). Within my group we will be part of around 30 separate bids, with an average value of 2M, of which about 0.5M will fund my group's work. I expect to win 25-30% of the bids we submit (the average is 12%).

 

I have also used the same approach to securing charitable funding in the past, twice, with success.

 

If anyone is seriously interested in putting something together then I am happy to get involved. It would need some level of input beyond my technical understanding, I/we would need to identify a funding vehicle, and as per the above stats, there is a success rate so no guarantees.

 

My work-based submissions will all be done by 4th December, following which I am happy to pick up with anyone who is interested if they think I can help.

 

Alec

[Andy Collins]

Thanks for some very supportive input Alec. I know we all argue and banter over topics on here, but we can also have a very serious side. And I think as industry professionals we do have certain responsibilities to take a lead in some things. As a forum, we are quite a large collective group of people, who could have quite an impact if we all pulled together.

[stoxs]

the Arbtalk charity!!!!

 

 

There is enough knowledge and expertise on here to easily create a group

what could be better for the arbicultural industry to show it`s not just about removing trees.

[Mark Bolam]

Good thread Andy.

 

I think many people who find themselves owning a majestic but structurally compromised vet are put off by the cost of regular remedial work, inspections and surveys, so bite the bullet and go for the one-off solution i.e. fell.

 

You can't blame them, or the contractors doing the work.

 

This may well provide another avenue if it's a goer.

 

I'm asking Santa for a Picus....

[agg221]

The key thing to think about is what this is seeking to achieve.

 

Is it greater understanding, greater awareness, greater application, new technology or something else? Also consider the geographic reach and the scope of interest.

 

For starters, have a look at the link below. It's not just the subject - it's the context. The document sets out clear aims and objectives, and what the funding will deliver. Note the sums involved - this would be reasonable and the Leonardo (and Marie Curie) schemes continue, so anything involving people is still viable.

 

http://frontpage.woodland-trust.org.uk/ancient-tree-forum/atfnews/images/Press%20release%20July%202012%20(2).pdf

 

Alec

 

p.s. don't worry about the buzz-words etc - this is fundability which is my specialist subject!

[Andy Collins]

Exactly Mark, this is not about anyone being right or wrong, but how can the trees be helped? It may be that there already is a charity that supports this, perhaps Mr Croft or others will know.

[David Humphries]

I recall that English Heritage had been approached on this subject in the past, but with little or no significant momentum gained.

 

A proposal to offer a heritage status to certain types of trees with protection beyond/alongside tpo and the potential for funding streams to help with management costs was looked at.

I think the idea may have been aimed at running in conjunction with listed building protection.

 

The crux of something like this may be in that it would need to be sustainably funded and administered nationally for it to work.

 

Or perhaps the creation of smaller localised charitable trusts that focus on local green heritage.

 

I'll see if I can dig anything up that's happening elsewhere.

 

 

 

 

 

.

[Andy Collins]

I googled that sort of thing and came up with nowt!! Anyway, if the ATF is already out there doing this, this is begging another question...how come we are not aware of it?

[agg221]

I googled that sort of thing and came up with nowt!! Anyway, if the ATF is already out there doing this, this is begging another question...how come we are not aware of it?

 

The ATF is doing something, and it's hit a definite need, but it won't be doing everything. The important question is to identify whether there is a gap that it would be beneficial to fill, hence the question over what exactly is needed. Opinions will differ on this probably, but if there is a collective view that gets homed in on that will be easier to focus around. There have been several other projects on a local level:

 

Durham Veteran Trees Project

 

Alec