The Big Gnosall Tree Count is a community initiative that invites people to help build a living record of the parish's mature, veteran and ancient trees.
Armed with little more than a smartphone and a tape measure, volunteers can record a tree's location, species, trunk circumference and photo. The project's app then uses this information to estimate its age and provide an indication of its environmental contribution.
Every tree recorded can be viewed and analysed on an interactive map, creating a growing archive of the area's natural heritage.
Among those taking part was Stafford Borough Councillor Scott Spencer, who helped Pippa, daughter of co-founder Donna Simmons measure the first tree - a 400-year-old yew, which would have been a sapling at the time of the Pilgrim Fathers Voyage on the Mayflower. This a fitting image for a project that hopes to connect different generations through an appreciation of the natural world.
Founding members of the project - Chris Haycock, Donna Simmons and Kirsty Higgs - have already discovered the benefits of recording trees in Gnosall. From just the first 56 trees counted, the following ecological insights have surfaced:
1. 118kg of NO2 absorbed, equivalent to taking 6 cars off the road
2. 2.5°C cooling effect, equivalent to 10 average homes shaded
3. 2,000 species of wildlife supported
4. 112m³ of rainfall intercepted, equivalent to 747 bathtubs of water captured each year
5. 1174 tonnes of CO2 stored, equivalent to 5,870,948 car miles driven
It started with a question
The idea grew from local efforts to protect an important old tree in Gnosall, which prompted project founder and Parish Councillor Chris Haycock to wonder how many other remarkable trees might be hiding in plain sight.
Chris explained:
"I spent most of my life living in cities. Trees were of little interest to me until I moved to Gnosall 14 years ago. After being involved in creating a Tree Preservation order on a local tree, I began to realise how big a part they play for the whole community – not just from a heritage point of view but also the role they play in environmental and biodiversity factors.”
"I started wondering what else was out there. How many old trees do we have that nobody has properly recorded? If every tree tells a story, wouldn't it be great if local people could help us find and protect them?"
It's not just about collecting numbers. The project also explores the historical context of trees, helping people imagine what was happening in the world when some of Gnosall's oldest specimens first began growing.
"You don't need to be a tree expert," Chris added. "If you've got a smartphone, a tape measure and a bit of curiosity, you can get involved."
From Gnosall to the rest of Staffordshire?
One of the most encouraging developments came from conversations with local councillors about the potential to take the Tree Count beyond the parish. Councillor Scott Spencer spoke enthusiastically at the launch about the project's wider possibilities, suggesting it had the makings of a borough-wide, or even county-wide, initiative.
"The app works just as well in deepest Wales or in the middle of the Yorkshire Dales. The technology doesn't really care where the tree is. We just need people who are interested enough to go and find it!", Chris said.
"Gnosall is where it started, and I'm proud of that. But trees don't recognise parish boundaries. If other communities want to get involved, we’d love to see them building their own local records as part of something much bigger."
More than just counting trees
Chris also brought along a detailed miniature model village he had built, using it to illustrate how much greenery exists within ordinary residential streets, gardens and village spaces.
Among the possibilities discussed was involving local Scout groups and schools in tree-recording activities, helping younger people learn about tree identification, measurement and the environment.
Get involved
The Big Gnosall Tree Count is open to anyone interested in discovering, recording and protecting trees. No specialist experience is necessary since the app teaches people how to identify tree species by leaf and tree shape. Residents, families, schools, community groups, landowners and neighbouring parishes are all welcome to get involved.
Visit www.bigtreecount.com to download the free app, explore the map, learn how to record a tree and find out more about the project.
Remember to follow the guidelines in the app, particularly regarding respecting nature, avoiding poisonous species and trespassing on private land.
Notes to editors
About the project: The Big Gnosall Tree Count is an independent, community-led initiative launched in Gnosall, Staffordshire, to discover, map and celebrate mature, veteran and ancient trees within the Gnosall Boundary.
How it works: Volunteers record species, location, trunk girth and photographs. Estimated ages and environmental indicators are generated using the project's digital tools. Ecological and biodiversity metrics are estimated using established forestry and urban ecology models, including the Shannon-Weiner Index, i-Tree Eco model, and Forestry Commission guidelines. Participants of the project are reminded that permission should be sought for trees that are on private land, and that care should be taken to avoid touching species that may be poisonous.
Geographic reach: The technology can accept records from across the UK. Wider community partnerships are being explored, but no borough-wide or county-wide programme has yet been formally established. The Gnosall Big Tree Count is a pilot project until wider programmes have been agreed.
Photography: Images from the launch, including the ceremonial measurement of the ancient yew, are available on request.
Media enquiries and interviews:
Chris Haycock
Founder, The Big Gnosall Tree Count
Website: www.bigtreecount.com
Email: chris@bigtreecount.com
