Pupils get to the root of Henley’s new Tree Trails

Pupils from Trinity School got the opportunity to test out one of the new Tree Trails across town which have been created by Henley Town Council on Friday.

They started off by looking up at the large Corsican pine in their playground. They were joined by Town Councillors, Officers and Park Services employees. The trail has been developed by Henley Town Council and Greener Henley, building on an original tree walk created by Andrew Hawkins, Henley’s Tree Warden, and the late David Whitehead.

There tree trails which have 10 stops each can be explored around the town centre, Mill Meadows and Marsh Meadows Tree Trail and have been created to encourage people of all ages to connect with nature, learn more about the trees around them and discover the important role trees play in our environment and community. You are asked to follow the squirrel from stop 1 to stop 10, discovering information and fun facts about the trees along the way – and look out for the clues that reveal a hidden word.

Katrina Judge, Henley Town Council’s Biodiversity Officer said, “Henley is graced with so many fabulous trees … but how often do we stop and look, stop and ‘look up’. Notice the ‘Look Up’ signs on the Henley Town Tree Trail – highlighting our ‘tree-mendous’ trees. What shape are their leaves, what colour are they today … come back next month – has their colour changed – or maybe they will they have fallen off for winter? Feel the bark, is it smooth or rough, does it look more like a chocolate bar, or a camouflage jacket? Is it silvery and flakey, or dark and ridged? Trees are a haven for many living creatures, and their branches also offer us humans a place of shelter and inspiration… our Tree Trails are offering an opportunity to stop, ‘look up’ and enjoy them!”

Max from Y6 said, “I learnt lots of things, but my favourite fact that I learnt is when trees shed their bark they get rid of their pollution. Audrey from Y2 added, “My favourite tree was the London Oak Tree because it was so tall and the leaves were so beautifully patterned.”

Each trail combines on-the-ground signage with interactive online maps, providing information about individual trees, their characteristics and some fun facts along the way. The trails can all be explored via the new Henley Tree Trails webpage, with QR codes on the signs and trail information linking directly to the interactive maps. www.henleytowncouncil.gov.uk/treetrail

A paper leaflet is also available from Henley Town Hall, while the QR code on each sign provides access to the interactive map and further information about each tree.

The Mill Meadows Tree Trail provides an opportunity to discover 16 highlighted trees throughout the popular riverside park. The trail starts with a large sycamore beside the Pavilion and finishes with a dawn redwood on the other side of the café. Each tree is identified with a wooden disc, with What3Words locations provided to help visitors find them. A large map and tree guide is positioned beside the Obelisk, showing the locations, tree names and images, together with useful information including leaf-shape identification.

The Marsh Meadows Tree Trail begins with a group of marsh-loving alder trees beside the watery inlet of the Cold Bath Stream at the riverside end of Marsh Meadows. The trail features 18 highlighted trees, each identified with a wooden disc and linked to further information through the interactive map. Visitors can also take part in the Mill and Marsh Meadows Tree Trail.

The cost to create the three trails has been over £8k.