Trees are a vital part of our natural world. They give us oxygen, store carbon, stabilize the soil, and give millions of plant and animal species food, shelter and life. They create a feeling of well-being, greening our urban landscapes and, because they may be long-lived, are often planted as living memorials.
Tree planting makes an important contribution to mitigating the effects of global warming. WTG supports the call by The Woodland Trust and Friends of the Earth to double tree cover, replacing trees and shrubs lost to housing developments and infrastructure projects,
WTG founder, John Thompson (1941-2015) was ahead of his time. Formerly working for Oxford City as a landscape architect, his mission in life was to create magical tree-lined spaces for the benefit and enjoyment of people and wildlife. In his 74 years, he planted over 10,000 trees around the City including the wildlife reserve on Burgess Field, on the eastern border of Port Meadow.
John was instrumental in creating the Forest of Oxford. It was this connection that led to the formation of the WTG. He inspired early WTG planting projects including the Lower Green (1993) and Goose Green, which won an environmental award in 2006. He also involved WTG in planting replacement black poplars alongside the River Thames, and the Hurst Copse in Upper Wolvercote.
The Community Orchard is the longest running project where nearly eighty trees have been planted since 1993.
Planting Projects
Community Orchard
Nixey’s Field
Goose Green
The Hurst
Lower Green
Fairclose Field
National Tree Week
To mark National Tree Week 2020, the WTG encouraged residents to plant a young tree, or give one as a unique present to friends and family. We bulk purchased high-quality whips of six native species, so we can sell on at significantly discounted prices. Details here
