Tree Health Centre opens at the Yorkshire Arboretum

We need healthy trees for a healthy future, but trees across the country and around the world are in trouble. Climate change and increasing numbers of pests and diseases are threatening the continued existence of many familiar species in our landscape, just at a time when we need to plant more trees than ever before to capture carbon.

Recognising this the Yorkshire Arboretum has established the country’s first dedicated Tree Health Centre. Launching in September 2021, with a formal opening event on 23 September, it aims to raise awareness of the threats to trees, the need for vigilance to avoid importing other pathogens, and to suggest ways of increasing the resilience of our treescape for the centuries ahead. We look to achieve this by offering classes, courses and public outreach events.

These events, led by specialists, will take place at the Yorkshire Arboretum, using the new, fully-equipped classroom and beautiful, botanically-rich surroundings for unique indoor/outdoor learning experiences.

From Friday 24 September to Sunday 3 October, the arboretum will host a range of activities to commemorate the launch of the Tree Health Centre. Families can get involved in a range of trails round the arboretum, interactive demonstrations, and a kid’s bug hunt and activity pack. There will also be tree health tours of the arboretum, and a talk hosted by guest speaker Prof Nicola Spence –Chief Plant Health Officer at Defra and an arboretum trustee.

Arboretum Director Dr John Grimshaw said: “The launch of the Tree Health Centre comes at a time when everyone is painfully aware of the consequences of climate change, and the need to plant trees to help combat it. We want to help people keep our trees healthy and thriving, and these events offer something for everyone to learn about how to do so.”

Funding included £286,000 from the York & North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership’s Local Growth Fund allocation.

David Dickson, Chair of the York & North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership Infrastructure and Joint Assets Board, said: “This specialist knowledge centre will build the capacity to protect tree health and lead the way for others. The opportunities for learning will make a real impact, and contribute towards the region’s ambitions to be greener, fairer and stronger.”

Tree Health Centre Blog: Cladding arrives from Shelmore Timber

Cladding for the Tree Health Centre has arrived, very kindly donated by Shelmore Timber, Norbury Park Estate. Shelmore Timber cladding is sourced from their own mature woodlands on the 1,500-acre Norbury Park and Ranton Estates.

Read about Shelmore Timber’s provenance and sustainability here.

#yorarb #yorTHC #treehealth #healthytreeshealthyfuture

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Hobson and Porter Begin Work on UK's First Dedicated Tree Health Centre

Yorkshire & Lincolnshire based construction firm Hobson & Porter Ltd have won the contract to build the UK’s first Tree Health Centre. The Yorkshire Arboretum, located near Castle Howard in North Yorkshire, has raised funds to build and operate the UK’s first purpose-built facility to expand public awareness about the threats to our trees posed by an increasing number of pests and diseases, and the need to keep our trees as healthy as possible. Capital funding for the project has come from the Peter Sowerby Foundation, £286,000 of the Government’s Local Growth Fund, secured by the York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Enterprise Partnership (YNYER LEP) and from private donations. Start up and operating funding has come from The Prince of Wales’s Charitable Fund.

Designed by SALT Architects of Beverley, East Yorkshire, the Tree Health Centre will offer training courses given by specialists and cater to all levels of expertise. Following successful pilot courses held in 2018, the centre will offer training on a commercial basis mixing classroom, lab and outdoor learning settings, as well as a public outreach programme.

Yorkshire Arboretum Chief Operating Officer Mathew Harrison says: “We are delighted to announce Hobson & Porter Ltd as building contractors for the Tree Health Centre. The company has strong links across Yorkshire with a proven track record of delivering third sector projects – they are keen to promote environmental preservation, and we believe their approach matches our core strategy and values.”

Sam Alexander, chair of YNYER LEP’s Skills and Employability Board, said: “The natural environment plays a vital role in our social and economic health as a region. It is crucial we have the skills available to protect Yorkshire landscapes and contribute to tree health in the UK and beyond. With the help of funding secured by the LEP, this specialist knowledge centre will build the capacity in the region to protect tree health and lead the way for others. We’re pleased to see the project reach this latest milestone.”

Minister for the Northern Powerhouse and Local Growth, Jake Berry, said: “We’re deeply committed to boosting economic growth and levelling up our communities across the North and the Midlands.

“It’s great to hear that thanks to over £285,000 from the Local Growth Fund, the UK’s first Tree Health Centre is being built right here in the Northern Powerhouse and will safeguard the region’s natural environment for future generations to come.”

Arboretum Director John Grimshaw said ‘We’ve been planning this building for ages, and it’s so exciting to see works starting at last. We look forward to delivering sound advice on the management of healthy trees for a healthy environment – a critical issue for us all.’

Click here to download the original press release.

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The Yorkshire Arboretum - Tree Health Centre Tender

The Yorkshire Arboretum is open to tenders for the construction of a new Tree Health Centre

Project summary

The project is the construction of a new tree health centre including external works and landscaping. The new building is a partially suspended timber frame with larch cladding, a flat roof and curtain wall glazing. The new centre adjoins the existing visitors centre and also creates a new feature walkway leading on to a belvedere viewing platform. For access to the planning conditions and a full ancillary of tender documentation for review and contract construction information please email business@yorkshirearboretum.org

1. The Project and Site

1.1 The Employer

The Castle Howard Arboretum Trust
The Estate Office
Castle Howard
YORK
YO60 7DA

1.2 The Design Team and Project Team

The Employer has appointed a team of professional consultants for the Project. The Design Team comprises:

The Architect/ Contract Administrator/ Principle Designer

Salt Architects
54 Lairgate
Beverley
HU17 8EU

The Quantity Surveyor

Andrew Taylor Quantity Surveying Ltd
Mill Lodge
Mill Street
Hutton
Driffield
YO25 9PU

The Structural/ Civil Engineer

Scott Hughes
Unit 3
Cross York Street Studios
Leeds
LS2 7BL

The M&E Consultant

LEDA
Micklewaite House
70 Cross Green Lane
Leeds
LS9 0DG 

Project Title, Site and Location

Project Title

Tree Health Centre

Site

The site is located within the existing visitors centre and the New Tree Health centre will extend the existing building to form one large centre. Works include formation of a new walkway with tree planting and a belvedere viewing platform.

Location

The Yorkshire Arboretum
Castle Howard
York
YO60 7BY