A beautiful photo of a purple hairstreak butterfly, taken by our Director of Trees, Science and Research, Jon. Here is what he had to say:

The peppered moth is a great example of wildlife adapting to environmental changes. This moth uses its wings to camouflage against trees covered in lichen, but there are some that have a genetic variation that causes them to have entirely black wings.

Did you know that in Roman times, small-leaved lime was known as 'the tree of a thousand uses'. The wood is soft and was used for carving, wood turning, and making keys for pianos and organs. #FolkloreThursday (c) Jon Stokes

📢 We're hiring! Want to join our team? We're looking for a Scotland based, Regional Lead to join our Growing Together programme. Please head over to our website to find out more and apply! treecouncil.org.uk/who-we-are/j...

How's your tree leaf ID? 🍃 Here are 5 trees you might see when out on a walk and tips on how to identify them. This Identification guide has been taken from Trees of Britain and Ireland, written by our very own Jon Stokes! To own a copy of his book, head over to the link in bio. 💚

Our Science and Research team were out on site last week with our research partner Fera Science, testing and improving our Tree Establishment Tracker app. The Tree Establishment Tracker requires observers to rate the condition of each tree on a scale of one to four.

From 24 July - 4 August, Keep Britain Tidy is running Love Parks Week! It is a week-long celebration highlighting the vital role green spaces play in boosting the health and wellbeing of residents and communities.

Last week Katie, the Growing Together Programme Manager, visited Kids Plant Trees who are setting up a new community tree nursery in Stannington outside Sheffield as part of the Growing Together programme, along with other external funding.

Our Grants Officer, Geraldine, spotted a horse taking shelter under a tree in Galway, in the West of Ireland. This shows just how important trees are for animals too, providing shade and shelter during summer. ☀️🌳 Check out our agroforestry guide >> treecouncil.org.uk/science-and-...

The Defra backed Trees Outside Woodland (TOW) Fund is now open for a second year, with more than double the support available for tree, hedgerow and orchard establishment projects in England. Find out more in our latest Tree Talk! buff.ly/xOhZsX6

The wild service tree is the rarer woodland relative of rowan and whitebeam, appearing to germinate only in areas of ancient woodland, for which it is an indicator. It is found on chalk and limestone, but also on nutrient-rich clays.

Our Director of Trees, Science and Research, Jon Stokes MBE, spotted this yellow and black longhorn beetle. Its food sources vary depending on its life stage: adult beetles feed on umellifers such as hogweed and cow parsley, while the larvae feed on decaying wood from trees including oak and birch.

Did you know that in age-old traditions, forked twigs of hazel were used by diviners in folk practices to locate underground water sources, a method known as dowsing. Some still use this method today! #FolkloreThursday

Cities, with their many tarmac roads and tightly packed, high-rise buildings, can create ‘heat islands’, areas where heat accumulates and the temperatures rise. Trees can throw shade onto streets and pavements, reducing the ‘heat island’ impact.

Mulch is a simple way to help protect the tree’s roots from extreme temperatures and keep the ground moist and cool. It means you can avoid using chemicals on any weeds and there’s no need to use a lawn mower or strimmer near the tree, which can risk damaging the bark. 🌳

Our Communications and Marketing Manager, Amelie, spotted a banded demoiselle last week. This large damselfly can be found along the edges of rivers and canals, still ponds and lakes, and among lush, damp vegetation. Don't forget to tag us in your nature pictures!

In Ireland, rowan trees were planted near houses to protect people from evil spirits. Its bright red berries were thought to be the best colour for protecting against evil and its white flowers were seen as a sign of purity and magic. 🌳 #FolkloreThursday (c) Will Fitzpatrick

📣 The Trees Outside Woodland Fund is now open! Following huge demand in 2025, the Trees Outside Woodland Fund, a collaboration between national environmental charity, The Tree Council and Defra, opens today, offering grants of up to £40,000 for local authority and charity-led projects.

Trees in cities have so many benefits and one of those is keeping our streets cool. Trees on streets have the ability to reduce heat by 2 - 8°C, which may not seem like a lot, but can make a big difference during heatwaves when you are seeking shade. Here's to our wonderful city trees!

Happy #FungiFriday Our Tree Warden Scheme ‑ Volunteer Engagement Officer, Charlie, spotted dog vomit slime mould, which is a type of slime mold that is often found on fallen trees and wood chip.

Did you know that oak trees have a long history of folklore. The following saying told of its leaves emerging would predict the summer weather. If the oak before the ash, Then we’ll only have a splash. If the ash before the oak, Then we’ll surely have a soak. (c) Jon Stokes

Competition time! Win a copy of The Hidden Seasons by Tristan Gooley. Head over to our website to enter! >> treecouncil.org.uk/competition/

Adam, our Community Planting Projects Senior Officer, shows us how mulching around trees can be a great way to help with moisture retention. Mulch acts as a protective layer over the soil, reducing water evaporation.

As the weather heats up, it’s vital to make sure young trees have the water they need to thrive.

It's another scorcher today, but did you know that trees can make a real difference? In urban areas, trees can cool the air by between 2 ºC and 8 ºC.

A magnificent tree providing shade during extreme heat in the UK.🌳 We’ve spotted people taking shelter in the shade of the magnificent London Plane of Ely on our live webcam. Proof of just how vital trees are during hot weather.💚

Our National Tree Warden Scheme Coordinator, Sam, spotted this beautiful scarlet tiger moth in her garden! Let us know what insects you find during #InsectWeek 🐞

The Tree Council has worked with Defra, Forestry Commission and Forest Research to produce a practical toolkit that will equip local authorities and others responsible for managing trees with the information and tools needed to develop local risk-based management approaches for OPM.

The UK is one of the most nature depleted countries on Earth. Over the coming decades, we will need to grow and plant tens of millions of trees to increase tree cover, tackle climate change, restore biodiversity and support people’s wellbeing.

Our Director of Programmes, Partnership & Comms, Clare, was out for a walk when she spotted lime trees heaving with flowers!