IT IS hard – and not particularly pleasant – to imagine a world without trees.

But as building and road developments encroach on our green spaces and ancient trees are lopped or felled to free up room or fall in to line with health and safety regulations, tree numbers are declining nationally.

Here in Dorset we are lucky to have a thriving charity dedicated to replacing and maintaining our arboreal heritage.

Trees for Dorset emerged from the International Tree Foundation.

A county-wide initiative, its aim is to plant trees and care for them as they grow, to educate children about the importance of trees to the world and to provide funding for the planting of trees.

It has a dedicated membership of more than 100 who work hard looking after the county’s trees and raising money for their work.

A plant sale and cream teas event held earlier this month raised more than £500.

The most recent work carried out by Trees for Dorset can be seen between Loders Garage at the bottom of the Grove and between Gray’s Bridge and the Stinsford roundabout in Dorchester and the roundabout out towards Charminster, and along the Yeovil road as it comes into Dorchester.

“We planted lime trees,” said Trees for Dorset trustee Jack Pearson. “They are a good native tree that last a long time, unlike something like a birch which can sometimes only live for about 40 years. Limes can be there for hundreds of years. We like to be selective over what trees we plant for the good of the area.”

An important aspect of the work of Trees for Dorset is the group’s educational work in primary schools.

A number of schools have signed up to allow members of the charity to go in and talk to children, as well as inspiring them with a bit of practical tree nurturing.

Hilary Power, a long-standing member of the group, explained: “We have a thriving schools programme, with several signed up to us.

“We go in and talk to the children and show them how seeds grow into trees. They also go out and collect seeds, which they then plant. When they grow, they plant the little trees out and pass them on to the children coming up under them.”

She added: “We teach children the importance of trees, not just in the landscape but also in the world in general. I think they love the excitement of collecting the seeds and then seeing them grow.”

Families are also an important part of Trees for Dorset and it is hoped that having been galvanised by a visit to their school, children will then encourage their parents to sign up and take part in family planting and maintenance days.

In the summer months, the charity raises funds and awareness through sales, talks and tree maintenance. In the winter, members are busy planting trees.

Year-round membership recruitment also helps to swell their coffers.

Communities and individuals can approach Trees for Dorset with a request for a grant or practical help and every approach is judged on its own merits.

Jack said: “If a community group or individual feels that they have ground where they would like to plant trees we will have a look at the site. | “If it meets certain criteria and the public are able to see it and the trees will benefit the public then we will offer to help them with 50 per cent of the money needed or £500, whichever is the lesser amount.

“We also sometimes help with the planting or, if they prefer, leave the people to do that themselves. We will also give advice and aftercare if asked.”

Trees for Dorset is now looking for more families to join and is also asking for communities to step forward and ask for grants.

For further details, visit treesfordorset.co.uk or call Tony Warne on 01300 321138 or Rachel Palmer on 01929 462423.