A

The Agroforestry Research Trust www.agroforestry.co.uk
The Agroforestry Research Trust carries out research into trees that produce crops whether they are fruit, edible leaves, medicines or fibres. It looks into ways of growing these together with other agricultural and horticultural crops to increase productivity, while conserving resources. They produce a range of publications and a quarterly journal, and sell plants and seeds.

Alice Holt Lodge
Wrecclesham, Farnham, Surrey, GU10 4LH, Phone 01420 22022, Fax 01420 22000
An independent group, set up when the Forestry Commission was restructured in 1993, to continue to provide advice about trees. They run the Tree Advice Service, where you can speak direct to tree experts on 09065 161147. This is a premium rate line, charged at £1.50 per minute. Alternatively you can send in samples for diagnosis for a fee of £25 + VAT. They also provide consultancy and research services, and can recommend arboriculturists and contractors. The new website, due to go live in March, will have topical tree advice.

The Ancient Tree Forum www.ancient-tree-forum.org.uk
The Ancient Tree Forum was set up specifically to protect and raise awareness of UK ancient trees both individually and within woodland. They work closely with the Woodland Trust, and provide information on caring for veteran trees plus details of sites to visit and ancient tree events.

The Arboricultural Association www.trees.org.uk
The Arboricultural Association has nearly 2000 members in the United Kingdom and is dedicated to conserving, enhancing and protecting Britain's heritage of amenity trees for the enjoyment and benefit of this and future generations. Their objectives include fostering interest in trees through publications, exhibitions and research, and raising the standards of arboricultural practice. They are the only tree work organisation that requires companies to achieve certain standards before using their logo, and can provide lists of consultants and contractors who have been assessed as competent.


B

British Trust for Conservation Volunteers www.btcv.org
36 St. Mary's Street, Wallingford Oxon. OX10 OEU
'Aims to harness people's energies, talents and enthusiasm to promote and improve the environment by practical action.' Working in partnership with communities, businesses, local authorities and landowners BTCVs thousands of volunteers across the country give their time and practical support to numerous countryside projects, many of which focus on woodland sites. BTCV provides transport, training and equipment.

Brogdale Horticultural Trust (National Fruit Collections) www.brogdale.org
Brogdale Road, Faversham, Kent, ME13 8XZ
A non-profit making charitable organisation providing research and development into fruit varieties, and hence of great value to the industry and equally interesting to the consumer and amateur fruit grower. Holds a massive collection of over 2,300 apple varieties, 550 pears, 350 plums and 220 cherries. Offers lectures and workshops in orchard culture, guided tours of the orchards, as well as identification service.


C

Carbon Neutral www.carbonneutral.com
Our new name is simply a better way of reflecting the wider range of ways we help business, government and individuals to tackle their contribution to climate change. In addition to forestry projects, our work includes carbon emissions reduction, renewable energy and biomass schemes, as well as carbon management and risk consulting.

The Institute of Chartered Foresters www.charteredforesters.org
The Institiute is a professional body for foresters and arborists in the UK. It sets and maintains standards for the industry and aims to safeguard the public interest in matters relating to forests, woodlands and trees. They can provide names of arboricultural and forestry consultants from their Register.

Common Ground www.commonground.org.uk
Common Ground aims to link nature with culture, focusing on the positive investment people can make in their own localities and inspiring celebration as a starting point for action to improve the quality of everyday places. They campaign to protect orchards and provide ideas, inspiration and information through a range of publications and projects including Apple Day on 21st October each year and an anthology of poetry Trees be Company.

Community Forests www.communityforest.org.uk
The 12 Community Forests in England are all close to urban areas and comprise large areas of land containing a mixture of existing woodland and other natural habitats, derelict and brownfield sites, and other open areas. Their aim is to act as a focus for regeneration by restoring and conserving the best wildlife habitats and creating new ones including woodland, hedgerows, ponds and meadows alongside developing areas for recreation, education and cultural activities.

The Countryside Agency www.countryside.gov.uk
John Dower House, Crescent Place, Cheltenham, Glos, GL50 3RA
An amalgamation of the Countryside Commission and the Royal Development Commission. The agency advises the government on aft matters of landscape conservation, access and recreation, and is responsible for policy strategy and management implementation of National Parks, AONBs, Community Forests and many Long Distance Paths. It also provides advice and financial assistance for certain conservation projects.

E

English Nature www.english-nature.org.uk
Northminster House, Northminster Road, Peterborough PE1 1UA
Originally established as the Nature Conservancy Council in 1973, English Nature is the principal scientific advisory body reporting to government on all matters of nature conservation. It owns, leases or manages the National Nature Reserves, which are often ecologically rare or special habitats, and is instrumental in the designation and monitoring of SSSIs. It has also compiled the definitive national inventory of ancient woodland. Its Welsh and Scottish counterparts are the Countryside Council for Wales and Scottish Natural Heritage, respectively.