Befriending a tree is very easy.  Here’s what we would like you to do:

1. Decide which tree you would like to befriend.

2. Identify what kind of tree it is.

3. Look to see if it has a metal disk with a number on its trunk.  This could be either circular or oblong (some of the trees have both).  Make a note of this number(s).

4. Note the location of your tree (i.e. Where about on the site is it?  What is the nearest building to it?)

5. Send an email to trees@aact.scot providing us with all the above information.  You can download this pro forma if that helps.  Please also tell us, if you can, about why you chose this tree and any other information you have discovered about it.

You may also want to:

• Go onto Edinburgh City Council’s website (https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk) and under the Planning and Building Standards click on Planning and then on Planning applications.  Lastly click on View and comment on planning applications.  You will not be able to comment but you will be able to see the application to undertake work on various trees within the grounds of the Astley Ainslie hospital by entering the reference 20/03604/TPO.  You can search the tree report (survey) which has now been uploaded to see what they have said about the tree you have chosen to befriend.  Most but not all of the trees are listed here.

In addition, you may want to:

• Take a photo (or several) of your chosen tree perhaps in different seasons or in different weather.

• Make a rubbing of the bark.

• Collect a fallen leaf and press it.

• ‘Guestimate’ the age of your chosen tree.  You can do this by measuring the circumference of its trunk with a tape measure (in cm) and dividing this number by 2.5.  This will give you the approximate age of the tree.

• You can also ‘guestimate’ the height of your tree (although you need to be quite supple and have good balance to do this).  Walk in a straight line away from your tree until you can see the top of it – now for the hard part – by looking through your legs.  When you are far enough away to see this, mark the spot and measure the distance back to your tree.  We are told this is called ‘twiganometry’ ;)

• Send us some/all of this information which we will use to build up a greater awareness of all the trees on the site and why they matter to you.  With your permission we will feature some of them on our website.

You can read about some of the befriended trees on the Tree Befriender’s stories page