To help celebrate National Tree Week, BBC Breathing Places has teamed up with Guinness World Records for Tree O'Clock - a nationwide challenge to plant as many trees as possible within a single hour.
At 11am on Saturday 5th December, everyone is invited to join in and do ‘one thing’ for nature by simply planting a tree.
In a recent survey for ,The Woodland Trust, 86% of people asked said they would like to see more trees being planted in their local area. And over 70% said if they had a wood within walking distance it would encourage them to exercise.
This attempt to unite the nation in a mass tree planting will provide a lasting legacy for communities across the UK for many years to come, and by encouraging people to plant the right tree in the right place, BBC Breathing Places are delivering a very special learning opportunity.
Liz Cleaver, Controller of BBC Learning says: “We’re all keeping our fingers crossed that we set a new World Record. But, whatever the outcome, I’m delighted that so many people are planning to get stuck in and plant trees, many for the first time. This event will leave a real lasting legacy for local communities across the country as well as furthering peoples’ understanding of wildlife and trees.”
Tree O’Clock marks National Tree Week, a week-long celebration of trees and awareness raising organised by the Tree Council. The BBC is also celebrating five years of inspirational work, encouraging people to ‘do one thing’ for nature and the environment through its Breathing Places campaign for BBC Learning.
Autumnwatch presenter Chris Packham says: “Want to branch out and do something for nature? Join me and plant a tree for Tree O’Clock and you could ‘leaf’ a real legacy. Trees are really important for wildlife as all kinds of animals live in and around them, and they also make our environment better for everyone. So get stuck in and plant a tree!”
In addition to encouraging everyone to get out and plant a tree in a bid to beat the overall World Record (currently held by the Philippines), the spotlight will also be firmly on three teams who are competing to secure the Guinness World Record for the most number of trees planted within one hour in a single location. Their challenge is to plant more than 18,124 trees in the space of just one hour. The record is held in Aberdeenshire.
Three teams are making the attempt: Heartwood Forest, near St Albans, the team includes Harpenden and St Albans Air Cadets and two teams of Hertfordshire mixed Explorer Scout Groups. In Hainault Forest, Chigwell, three teams of Essex and North London Explorer Scouts and members of Give Love Find Love are among the team; and finally in Northern Ireland conservation volunteers, including firemen, foresters and athletes are going for the record in Gransha Park, Londonderry.
Model and fashion icon Twiggy says: “Tree O'Clock is an amazing opportunity for one nation to seize one hour, one moment, and to set a new record by everyone just planting one tree. Come on, get involved!"
Winter is the best time for planting trees. Tree O’Clock wants as many families, schools, workplaces and community groups as possible to muck in. Trees can help increase biodiversity and provide people with a better quality of life. People can plant a native tree, hedge or fruit tree in their garden and everyone’s tree planting can count towards the attempt at the World Record. Or they can join in one of the many locally organised tree planting events.
A limited number of tree saplings/whips will be available free to members of the public wishing to join in on a first come first served basis – one per household. Details of how to claim a free tree from a local participating garden centre or local authority tree give-away scheme, as well as how to take part, can all be found on the Tree O’Clock website.
Everyone’s tree counts if a few simple steps are followed. People need to take a digital photo of themselves planting their sapling between 11am – 12 noon on the 5 December. Then simply email it to breathingplacestrees@bbc.co.uk, stating which type of native tree it is and giving their full postal address, by the deadline of noon on Friday 11 December so that it can count towards the record. (Independent verification is required for plantings of more than five trees, which simply means you need to have someone with you who can sign a piece of paper to say that you did it! Go to the Breathing Places website for full details.)
Tree planters should check that the tree they are planting is appropriate for the place they choose to plant. More information about planting the right tree in the right place and how to ensure that the new tree is cared for, plus lots more information on tree planting from our campaign partners is available on the website.
The record for the most trees planted in one location in one hour is currently held by a team of school children; the Forestry Commission Scotland, and BP staff, and stands at 18,124. And the World Record for the most trees planted in multiple sites in one hour is currently 653,143 and is held in the Philippines.
So everyone should grab their wellies, roll up their sleeves and be part of an amazing opportunity to increase the number of trees in the UK.
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