Maidenhead & Windsor

There’s a new twist on partying in the park at Braywick this summer – a tree-mendous opportunity for families and nature lovers to bring along their sandwiches and sausage rolls and picnic in the park.

As well as relaxing and enjoying the green and pleasant surroundings while they eat, visitors can join in various free, tree-related activities on Sunday July 22 from 12 to 4pm – and some may even be inspired to join the Windsor and Maidenhead Royal Borough’s volunteer tree warden scheme.

Countryside rangers and tree wardens will challenge picnickers to measure the height of a monkey puzzle, calculate the age of a giant redwood or oriental plane and take part in a quiz trail around Braywick Park where they can try to identify species using clues such as twigs and branches.

The wardens and rangers will talk about their work with the massive plants, including the annual Oaks for Folks project in which residents are encouraged to grow oaks from acorns for future planting in the local area.

Cllr Jesse Grey, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead leisure and culture, said: “We live in a beautiful part of the country and this event is a great opportunity to reconnect with nature and enjoy one of our loveliest open spaces.

“Trees form such an important and integral part of our environment and we need to continue planting for the future. We also need to care for and protect our existing trees and our tree wardens do a wonderful job in this respect.

“Hopefully some of the visitors, having seen the warden’s successes and the fulfilment they get from this role, will decide to volunteer themselves.”

Trevor Smith, senior Windsor and Maidenhead countryside ranger said: “Tree wardens can volunteer as much or as little time as they feel they can manage. Some help by alerting tree officers to potential threats or problems they may notice around their parish while others help more practically with tree planting projects. There are opportunities to help keep the public aware of trees and their value by helping with exhibitions or assisting on guided walks around our woodlands.”

For further information on the picnic or how to volunteer as a tree warden, call Trevor on 01628 777440.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead