Contact:
Please join The Tree Council if you are keen to support conservation of Auckland’s trees. Membership for individuals, incorporated societies and charitable trusts is $40 per year; for students and beneficiaries $20.
To join, please click here or contact: The Tree Council, PO Box 60-203, Titirangi, Auckland 0642.
Phone 021 213 7779
Email info@thetreecouncil.org.nz
Please note – we are volunteers so we prefer email contact unless your issue is urgent. Thanks!
Aims:
The Tree Council’s aims are to:
- Promote (and advocate for) effective programmes for the protection, management and planting of trees in the urban environment
- Assist people who care about trees to network with councils and community groups and become more effective in tree protection
- Collect, prepare, and disseminate information, knowledge, understanding and appreciation of trees and their care
The Tree Council is a long-standing non-profit organisation established in 1986 to act as a steward for the trees of the Auckland region.
The Tree Council exists to protect, conserve and improve the tree cover in the Auckland region, especially in urban areas. We believe that skilled and careful management of both native and introduced species is vital in order for mature trees to survive in the ongoing rush for urban space.
The Tree Council aims to help Aucklanders appreciate trees through lobbying, publications, activities and events. We also offer advice and support about specific trees.
The Tree Council assists in education, advocacy and management of Auckland’s trees, and has active representatives throughout the Auckland Council area. We work with Auckland Council to ensure that trees within its jurisdiction have an advocate.
The Tree Council believes that trees should be treated as important and valuable assets for the wider community. We intervene in the planning process if trees appear to be at risk of unnecessary destruction through development applications.
The Tree Council lobbies Ministers, MPs and Government agencies to better protect trees, especially urban trees across all of Aotearoa New Zealand. We actively participate in consultations on legislation, planning rules, regulations and guidance relating to tree management and protection.
About our Board Members:
Sean Freeman (Chair) joined The Tree Council Board in March 2013 soon after moving to Auckland from Australia. Sean had been a consulting arborist in Queensland for 7 years and founded the Veteran Tree Group to recognise the significance of ancient trees within the urban footprint. The Veteran Tree Group has a register of 750 trees. His focus was originally in arboriculture but he became more interested in the older larger trees which have been more & more frequently removed in Australia. Sean has expertise in the relationship between trees and wood decay fungi. He was elected to the Chair at the 2013 AGM.
Jennifer Tang (Treasurer) joined The Tree Council and was elected to the role at the 2021 AGM. Jennifer works for GreensceneNZ and The Tree Council very much appreciates the support of her company in enabling her to provide financial support to our organisation.
Dr Mels Barton (Secretary) emigrated to NZ in 1999 and runs her own environmental & communications consultancy Subliminal Ltd. Since 2016 she has been the Coordinator for Kauri Rescue. From 2010-2019, she was the National and Auckland Coordinator for the week-long annual event NZAEE Seaweek. She is also Chair of the Titirangi Residents & Ratepayers Association and was a trustee for the Weedfree & Ecomatters Trusts and Secretary of the Waitakere Ranges Protection Society for many years. Mels was co-opted onto the Board of The Tree Council during winter 2011, and elected at the 2011 AGM.
Mark Lockhart joined The Tree Council and was co-opted onto the Board in 2018 and elected at the 2019 AGM. Mark is a landscape architect.
Penny Cliffin joined The Tree Council in 2001 and has acted as a specialist tree advisor for us for many years and has led many of our annual guided walks. Penny is a landscape designer and lecturer at UNITEC. Penny was co-opted onto the Board in 2019 and elected at the 2020 AGM.
Member benefits:
Membership of The Tree Council helps contribute to the work of the community tree advisers, and also entitles you to a number of benefits:
• Guided walks and lectures
• Regular newsletter
• Educational workshops
Publications:
The Tree Council has produced a number of useful and informative publications for members and the public. By purchasing these, you will be supporting The Tree Council’s work.
The publications available currently include:
Notable Trees of Auckland
Tree enthusiasts will delight in using this 40-page illustrated guide to track down 30 of Auckland City’s most unique, interesting and historic trees.
Maps and the easy-to-find directions will lead you to each of these remarkable trees.
Copies are just $15.00 (including P&P)
2012 Calendar – sold out
The Tree Council produced a 2012 calendar with photographs supplied by members and friends. Unfortunately these are now sold out. Thanks to everyone who bought one.
50 Trees for Auckland – hard copy sold out
This booklet will enable you to select the most suitable trees for your land, garden, farm or property.
Choosing the right species will ensure fast, healthy growth giving you maximum protection, beauty and privacy.
Informative and simple to use. You can download an electronic version here.
To order any of the publications listed on this website, contact: The Secretary, Mels Barton at
info@thetreecouncil.org.nz