Greater Manchester, including Trafford, is set to become a hunting ground for hidden tree treasures, as volunteers are being recruited to find trees with community heritage.

City of Trees is recruiting a task force of volunteers to help hunt down the tales of residents and the trees and woodland that are special to them.

The leading environmental movement will be running sessions teaching volunteers the skills needed to find these special trees. The free training will include tree ID skills, a Heritage Trees pack and a project hoodie.

By gathering stories the Heritage Trees project aims to celebrate, record and protect our tree heritage - the trees, woodlands, hedgerows and orchards which are part of the fabric of our towns and cities.

Beth Kelsall, from City of Trees, explains; “Heritage trees can be forgotten forests to proudly planted saplings - any trees that have a story connecting them to people and the community.”

She adds; “It’s these stories that are the driving force of the project. Now help is needed to find even more heritage trees across Greater Manchester”.

Once a heritage tree has been identified it’s plotted onto an online map which not only shows where the tree or woodland is, but the story behind it as well as photos and historic images.

Since the project began, stories have been collected across the region.

The stories are as unique as the people, including a cherry tree that brightens the walk to work and a woodland planted a by one man as physical therapy after a stroke.

Other tall tree tales include a 500 year old oak tree that sheltered a family in the war and much loved birch tree that moved house, twice.

If you would like to know more about becoming a Heritage Trees volunteer contact Beth on 0161 872 1660 or email beth@cityoftrees.org.uk.

For more information about the Heritage Trees project and to share your story visit www.heritagetrees.org.uk