Latest news...
Explore the heritage trees of the Isle of Wight using the Histree Trail interactive map
Visit the Featured Trees section to explore all the heritage trees recorded during the Histree Trail project. Some of the trees you might already recognise if you've walked any of the trails but others recorded didn't link in so well with the routes but now they have been mapped so if you would like find out more please visit the featured trees section of the website.
Venerable Veteran succumbs to old age - October 2010
We sadly say goodbye to another of our Histree Trail cover trees. A veteran oak on the Venerable Oaks Histree Trail has fallen during recent bad weather. This enormous tree measured almost 7 metres in girth and appears to have completely rotted out on the inside. The vast trunk was cleaved in two halves and what remains covers a huge area on the ground - it is truly an incredible sight to behold. This landmark tree will be much missed and for what was once a trio of veterans in this field, only one gnarly tree remains.
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To read the full story and watch a video visit Naturenet.
Victoria and the girls face the axe...
The Groves & Gardens Histree Trail has sadly lost it's cover girl
Victoria was a 200 year old Beech tree located in the grounds of Bedford Lodge in Chine Avenue, Shanklin but had become so fragile that she needed to be felled. Lady, after Lady Isobella De Fortibus - last heritditary owner of the Isle of Wight; Ellen, after Dame Ellen MacArthur and Julia, after Julia Margaret Cameron have been completely removed. These were all preceeded by Lizzie, after Elizabeth Wallbridge author of the book 'The Dairyman's Daughter' puiblished in 1825 - a smaller Beech which unexpectedly came down in August this year after heavy rains.
However, Victoria has had a reprive and as an experiment, has been cut down to a height of 2 metres in the hope that she may regenerate. This mighty Beech was pollarded in the past, and there's a small chance that she may respond to the 'prune'. It is hoped that a local tree sculptor will carve a plaque in relief, which could then be installed at the site and tell the tale of this group of historical trees.
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left: Victoria as featured in the Groves & Gardens Histree Trail, centre: Victoria post prune, right: section of Victoria
Treemendous Trees Competition...
Congratulations to Thomas Carter age 8 from Cowes who is the winner of our Guess the Girth competition held at Treemendous Trees - the Histree Trails Launch event on Saturday August 9th!
Thomas correctly guessed that the circumference of the huge Cedar tree in the park was 5 metres 25cms. So, well done Thomas, a selection of Treemendous goodies will be on their way to you shortly.
The Histree Trails are here....
The 8 new Histree Trails were officially launched on Saturday 9th August in Northwood Park, Cowes.
The Mayor of Cowes - Geoff Banks opened the Treemendous Trees morning by tying a ribbon around one of the historic trees within the park. Despite the wind and rain, around 70 people joined us for the tree-themed morning where lots of activities took place including meet the trees tours, tree tales, giant drawing, wood crafts, tree-o-caching plus lots more... see some photos from the event below.
The Histree Trail leaflets can now be picked up from Tourist Information Centres and Island public libraries. To download the leaflets, visit the Trails section of the website.
At Treemendous Trees, the Histree Trails launch...
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The Mayor of Cowes opened the launch whilst tying a ribbon aroundthis huge Cedar |
The Mayor of Cowes opening the launch |
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Tree Decorating using willow and colourful materials |
Storytelling under the canopy of the Oriental Plane tree |
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Adding to the giant, collaborative tree-themed drawing |
The magnificent Oriental Plane |
Treemendous Trees
Come along to Northwood Park, Cowes, Isle of Wight on Saturday 9th August 10am-1pm to celebrate the launch of the 8 new Histree Trails.
Join us for a tree themed morning with lots of activities for all ages where you can meet the trees, hear tree tales, help creat a giant drawing, try wood crafts, tree-o-caching plus lots more....
To download the Event flyer click here
Getting there
Bus:
1, 28 & 27 to Park Road
On foot: main entrances to the Park in Park Road, Ward Avenue, Baring Road
Ferry: Red Funnel Redjet terminal is on the Esplanade, Floating Bridge between East Cowes & Cowes
Pay & display car parks: Park Road, additional parking available in the Park off Ward
Avenue (fee applicable), several car parks within the Town and along the Esplanade
Histree Trail in the spotlight....
Wight Life Summer & Island Life June/July...the Histree Trail Project features in both the Wight Life and Island Life magazines, both available free across the Island.
the Histree Trail Project features in both the Wight Life and Island Life magazines, both available free across the Island.
the Histree Trail Project features in both the Wight Life and Island Life magazines, both available free across the Island.
Histree Trail TV... We have a short advert airing onboard the Wightlink ferries announcing the forthcoming trails due to be launched during the summer and which featuring some the Island's finest heritage trees. The link to the advert will be available here shortly.
For other fun coast and countryside events on the Island this summer...
Download the Isle of Wight Summer Walks and Countryside events leaflet here
Coming soon....The Woodland Trust have just announced their 'Summer of Hugs' project planned for Summer 2008. It will encourage people to get out and measure trees as part of their Ancient Tree Hunt campaign and hopes to run many tree-related events across the country. The Histree Trail Project will certainly 'embrace' - the Summer of Hugs project and is currently dreaming up some fun events that we can link in - so watch this space....