The Big Gnosall Tree Count
About the project

Protecting what we've got

By recording mature and ancient trees, we shine a spotlight on the living giants already shaping our local ecosystem—encouraging their preservation and appreciation before they're gone.

Power in the canopy

Trees quietly clean our air, absorb CO₂, shelter wildlife, and cool our streets. Knowing where they are - and what they do - helps us understand their environmental superpowers.

Everyone can join in

Whether you're 7 or 97, a seasoned botanist or curious rambler, the Big Gnosall Tree Count is for you. Grab a tape measure, take a photo, and help map our leafy legends!

Every tree tells a story.
Help us record it.

Welcome to the Great Gnosall Tree Count — where ancient oaks, noble ash, and the occasional defiant hawthorn finally get the recognition they deserve.

This isn’t just about counting trees. It’s about honouring them — the quiet giants standing watch over footpaths, hedgerows, fields, and gardens, some for hundreds of years. They’ve seen more seasons than most of us will see Sunday dinners, and yet they’re rarely given more than a passing glance. We're here to change that.

Why are we doing this?

Because trees matter. Really matter.

Mature and ancient trees support biodiversity, form wildlife corridors, clean our air, help manage flooding, store carbon, and even cool our streets in summer. They’re the original multi-taskers — doing a hundred things for free, and asking only for space, time, and not to be chopped down for a driveway.

But here’s the thing: we don’t even know where they all are.

That’s where you come in.

How it works

We’ve built a clever little web-based app that lets you record trees in your area — even if you’re out of signal. Just spot a worthy tree, log its location, snap a photo, note the girth (the tree’s, not yours), and let the app do the rest. It’ll even estimate the tree’s age based on species and trunk size. You get to feel like a field scientist; the tree gets an ID number. Everyone wins.

Each entry is saved locally as a tiny JSON file — no need to stress about storage — and it syncs when you're back online.

If it’s on public land, measure away. If it’s on private land but visible from the street, a little educated guesswork is fine (no trespassing, please — not even for that magnificent beech behind the hedge).

Use the app (or our website) to track all your trees, see how far we've got, and... perhaps even compete with others!

What’s the goal?

Our mission is simple. We want to:

  • •  Map and preserve important trees
  • •  Support biodiversity and green infrastructure
  • •  Provide real data to support environmental decisions
  • •  Raise awareness of how vital mature trees are to the health of our communities

And just maybe, inspire a few people to look up once in a while and say, “Wow. That’s an incredible tree.”

Volunteer rules

Before you grab your rope and ruler, let’s lay down a few important ground rules. Nothing too scary—just a few common-sense dos and don’ts to keep you (and the trees) safe, respected, and properly counted. Let’s do this the right way—roots, shoots, and all!

Public Land Only (for measuring)

Only measure and examine trees located on public land—such as parks, footpaths, or verges. If a tree is on private land but visible from a public space, you may record its details visually, but do not enter private property.

Respect Privacy

Never photograph people, private gardens, or identifiable property without permission. Avoid uploading images that show house numbers, car registrations, or other personal identifiers.

Safety First

Stay safe near roads, rivers, and woodland. Wear hi-vis if needed, and always supervise children. Don’t attempt to measure trees in dangerous or awkward locations.

Be Honest with Estimates

If you can’t measure a tree, it’s OK to estimate. Just make a note in your submission so others know it's an approximation.

One Tree = One Record

If a tree has multiple trunks or is part of a group, record it as a single tree only if it shares one base. Otherwise, treat each as an individual entry.

Keep It Fun

This is about community science and celebrating nature. Enjoy the experience, learn as you go, and be part of something that could help shape future conservation efforts.

What’s next?

The project started in Gnosall with support from the parish council — but thanks to backing from our borough councillors, it’s spreading fast. We’re hoping to roll this out far and wide, with help from local residents, schools, tree-lovers, and anyone who fancies a bit of light bark-spotting with their dog walk.

So whether you’re a data nerd, nature nut, or someone who just really loves a good oak, we’d love you to get involved.

Let’s count what counts.

Step-by-step guide for volunteers

Content to be written.

Include visuals or GIFs of the app in use

Content to be written.

Explain what to measure, how to identify species, and when to guess

Content to be written.

Offline functionality + syncing info

Content to be written.

Permissions and land access guidance

Content to be written.

App

Coming very soon

We're in the final stages of creating the app so you can explore the GREAT outdoors and start tracking trees.

If you have any questions about The Big Gnosall Tree Count or if you feel you are able to contribute towards the project in any way, please contact us at the email address below:

bigtreecount@cliqto.com

See you soon!

The Big Tree Count team

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