Tree Survey stories: measuring trees, wild discoveries and furry friends!
15th November 2024
The Tiny Forest Tree Survey took place during 12 – 20 October 2024. It is a simple survey, measuring and identifying trees at the 250+ Tiny Forests across the UK.
We called on everyone who lives near a Tiny Forest to get involved and help us understand how Tiny Forests grow. Here are some stories from volunteers who took part.
How did the Tree Survey go?
We were thrilled that over 600 surveys were submitted, recording 36 tree species at 26 Tiny Forest sites. The tallest tree recorded was a whopping 548cm at Holt Drive Tiny Forest in Charnwood. The smallest tree recorded was a tiny 13cm at Fawdon Park Tiny Forest in Newcastle.
GoodGym volunteers
We were thrilled to see many of our friends at GoodGym groups across the UK getting stuck in with measuring trees!
Ealing GoodGymmers, Kash and Sevan, were extra committed, going out and measuring at two different sites, Trinity Way and Southall Recreation Ground during the week.
Photos: Ealing GoodGym
Another local GoodGymmer, Steph, joined them for the second session.
“Steph and Kash had some success finding tagged trees on the northern end, while Sevan walked around the southern half of the Tiny Forest, looking under weeds to the bottom of the tree trunks, without finding any at all. Finally, a breakthrough, after a bit of digging, they found that the tags had been heavily mulched over and would need to be dug out. Trees were then individually checked for buried tags, which was pretty slow going.”
Photos: Ealing GoodGym
In Leicester, Kimberley, Dawn, Sarah, and Nick headed to Holt Drive Tiny Forest.
“First of all, everyone was shocked at the size of the forest now, the last visit was about 14 months ago as part of Paul and Gus’ tour. Last time the trees were about half of Kim’s height, this time they were Kim’s height x2.
Everyone got stuck in measuring, identifying trees and taking notes to report back to Tiny Forest HQ. Some huge weeds were also pulled to help the trees thrive in their Tiny Forest.
Well done team fantastic efforts and a worthwhile task, 49 trees were examined in the process!”
Photo: Leicester GoodGym
In Newcastle, Aimee and Damu headed to Bensham Grove Tiny Forest during their lunch break.
“Armed with a measuring tape, a ruler, and lots of enthusiasm we set about doing a tree survey at the Tiny Forest in Bensham. For each of the trees/shrubs, we had to measure the distance away from the closest edge, the height from the ground and the diameter of the stem. We managed to survey 20 in total, and are pleased to report that all were alive and healthy (except one that might have perished).
It was lovely to see how much the Tiny Forest had grown since we first planted everything a few months ago.
We both agreed it was a most pleasant way to get away from work!”
Photo: Newcastle GoodGym
Stockport GoodGymmers, Hannah, Laura and Ben, accompanied by Juno the dog, visited Wilmslow Tiny Forest.
“We managed to survey 46 trees in total with 20 of those still tagged, with many tags missing or disintegrated. Tape measures, plant ID apps/sheets, and Juno having zoomies made for a good hour or so of tree surveying before we collated the data and made our way back to the town centre.
Hopefully the Tiny Forest is still used and maintained long term through the school or local groups and perhaps we can be back again, either for maintenance or a survey in the near future.”
Tree Keeper volunteers
Tiny Forest Tree Keepers look after Tiny Forests year round, from weeding to watering to monitoring, they help to keep Tiny Forests thriving as they mature. We are so grateful for all their hard work, supporting Tiny Forests and their local communities.
In Eastleigh, Elly and fellow Tree Keepers measured trees at Fleming Park Tiny Forest.
“Next year we’ll need a longer pole!!”
Photo: Elly Swanbrow
In Stafford, Andy, and friends Lester and Chris, braved the rain and flooded fields to measure at Papua New Guinea Orchid Tiny Forest. They discovered a fungi fairy ring around one of the trees!
Photo: Andy Gibson
In Newcastle, Sara, Adele and Anna headed to Fawdon Tiny Forest.
“Last day but we managed to measure and record our information for Fawdon Tiny Forest. Adele Wilkinson, Anna Foster and myself braved the wind. Ably assisted by Mabel the dog.”
Photo: Anna Shaniqua Foster
In Beckenham, Bromley, Millie and fellow Tree Keepers visited Cator Park Tiny Forest. They measured an impressive 65 trees! The tallest was a dog rose at 193cm, the smallest was an English oak at 19cm. A wych elm had the thickest stem at 80mm.
Walsall Healthy Spaces
Walsall Healthy Spaces are a team at Walsall Council working with the community to provide local green spaces for people and nature.
“Mission complete!
All nine of the Tiny Forests that we take care of in Walsall have now been visited. Trees have been monitored, measured and recorded. A huge thank you to Walsall’s Tree Wardens and members of the community that have joined us at all of the Tree Survey events.
Since August, we’ve pulled Himalayan Balsam at William Street Tiny Forest; we worked with volunteers and staff from Severn Trent Water to clear the bindweed from the Tiny Forest at Willenhall Memorial Park, before adding some new tags as so many of the original ones had been lost; and we spent time in the autumnal sunshine at Swannie’s Field Tiny Forest.
The Mill Lane Tiny Forest was very overgrown and Cook Street Tiny Forest needed a little care and attention. We discovered a great crested newt at Bloxwich Community Orchard Tiny Forest and a shrew at the Tiny Forest in Walsall Arboretum. We met Claire, an ecologist from Earthwatch Europe, whilst we were measuring at King’s Hill’s Tiny Forest and collected rosehips at Barr Beacon’s Tiny Forest.
We’ve had an amazing time being data scientists: making new friends, spending time in nature and improving our knowledge of trees.”
Photos: Walsall Healthy Spaces team
Thank you!
A huge thank you to everyone who took part in the Tiny Forest Tree Survey by measuring trees. The data collected will help us understand how Tiny Forest sites grow, and how much carbon they store over time. This develops the scientific understanding of how Tiny Forests benefit people and wildlife in urban communities.
If you would like to get involved in looking after and monitoring Tiny Forests, you can become a Tree Keeper volunteer at a Tiny Forest near you. If you’re interested, get in touch.