Here is another selection of tree news articles from around the world. Festive warning: May contain Christmas trees!
Click on each of the pictures if you would like to read the full stories.
Talent show for trees?
I watched the tree of the year contest on Channel 4 TV and was worried it would be too much like X-Factor, but Ardal O’Hanlon did a pretty good job in keeping it light. Click on the image to go to the preview article, which also describes more of the trees taking part…
And the winner is – a Welsh oak
An oak tree in Mid Wales won the UK tree of the year accolade – it was so precious that a new road was diverted around it. Here’s the Wales Online report…
Where Christmas trees come from
Doing what it does so well – the Guardian has a photo essay about Christmas tree farming…
Vietnam’s forests on the upswing
It’s been almost 50 years since attacks on Vietnam’s southern forests hit their peak in 1967 and now the forests are recovering, says Mongabay…
Robbing the spruce – precious conifers stolen
Five almost extinct Serbian spruce trees have been stolen from a conservation area in Perth, Scotland – the thieves thought they were Christmas trees, says the Courier…
Indian government rapped over Forest Rights Act
The Adivasis are seeking their constitutional rights over their jal-jangal-zameen (water-forest-land), according to the Hindu…
London’s best Christmas trees
Anthony Gormley’s Connaught Hotel tree looks like it’s been impaled on a light saber – it’s one of London’s best festive trees, says the Londonist. see the gallery…
Neighbours at war over leylandii hedge
Solsbury Hill, immortalised by singer Peter Gabriel, is at the centre of a bitter dispute after a neighbour was accused of deliberately blocking views of it with a 50ft hedge, according to the Sun…
Couple stunned as Christmas tree grows to 52ft
A little Christmas tree planted nearly 40 years ago is now the festive centrepiece of village celebrations, says the Express…
If you prefer your trees a bit smaller
Two bonsai experts have shared ancient secrets behind the art and mastery of their centuries-old trees, reports the Daily Mail…
Alternative plans sought for state forest
Oregon’s state leaders have postponed a decision on the proposed sale of the Elliott State Forest to a timber company, reports the Daily Mail…
Old Christmas trees for new sand dunes
Residents in Fife, Scotland, are being encouraged to recycle their real Christmas trees in order to help prevent crater erosion on local sand dunes, says Fife Today…
They aren’t fun guys!
Fungi hunters have been stopped and searched by forest rangers in the New Forest, says the Daily Mail…
City trees may increase air pollution
Hard to believe, but the Guardian says leaves and branches can slow air currents and cause pollutants to settle…
Could this be Britain’s most festive pub?
The Churchill Arms in London is a grotto of festivity with an incredible 90 trees and 21,000 lights, says the Metro…
Parijat trees in myth and medicine
The Hindustan Times reports on parijat trees, the ‘tree of sorrow’ in Hindu mythology…
Flickr proves trees are so photogenic
Several trees are featured in a selection of Flickr’s best images, reported in the Daily Mail…
Callous thieves steal Christmas
Thieves stole Christmas trees from a family business in Pershore, says the Worcester News…
England may suffer from deforestation
The UK Tory government is missing its tree-planting targets, says the Guardian…
When Christmas trees disappoint
The BBC has a dismal round-up of civic Christmas trees in Wales. Most controversial has been Cardiff, where a plastic tree from China was going to be 40 metres high and is only 40 feet. And it’s expensive and starting to peel, although it looks OK lit up at night…
Springwatch star wants to chop down trees
Bill Oddie is being vilified for wanting to chop down some trees near his house, says the Evening Standard…
Tauranga’s trees deserve protection
An opinion piece in New Zealand’s Bay of Plenty Times asks for council policy to protect trees…
Down to the woods for a family break
In a luxury Forestry Commission cabin you can observe nature from your sofa, says this review in the Guardian…
Beech for all seasons
Thanks to Hollis at In the Company of Plants and Rocks for pointing out this bog post from Cabinet of Curiosities showing a beech tree through the seasons…
And finally…
Pets and trees don’t mix
These pictures of animals ruining Christmas trees will make you wonder if they even like the festive season at all, says the Press & Journal…
The Squirrelbasket 
Apropos the city trees – I’d rather have air pollution and trees than air pollution and no trees. How sad it would (will?) be if all city trees were chopped down because some health-body says they’re not good.
I’ll read the other articles a little later… I’ve only so much energy right at the moment!
In the meantime (if you’ve not featured it already) you might be interested in this: http://www.discoed.org/the-discoed-yew/
Please do take your time, the stories aren’t going anywhere!
I agree that I want trees no matter what. I’m sure they are more good for you than bad.
I have made a note of the Discoed yew and may share it next time, as it is not something that will date.
Best wishes and Merry Christmas 🙂
It definitely won’t date! 🙂 Happy Christmas to you too!
A great post Pat. It is annoying to read about any theft especially at this time of year, it is difficult to find forgiveness. Thankfully there is plenty of good news.
Happy Christmas to you and your family.
I’ve been a bit neglectful of my blog over Christmas – so it’s a Happy New Year to you and your family 🙂
Thanks for the compilation, Pat. The Vietnam article was especially interesting, and the Welsh oak is mind-boggling! We don’t have trees like that!!
Merry Christmas from Wyoming 🙂
I always thought you had “better” trees than us – giant redwoods and ancient bristlecone pines?
Although I suppose these old oaks come with human parks and gardens and “European” America isn’t that old, really…
All the best for 2017 🙂