They have been standing there for generations but today we are being called on to take more notice of them.

Trees, often taken for granted, deserve more appreciation, and especially in York where there are so few of them, say environment chiefs.

This is National Tree Week, and to do its bit, City of York Council is promoting a new leaflet to encourage York citizens to see trees in a different light.

The York Tree Trail offers a self-guided walk around the city, identifying the city's trees and learning about their associated mythology and uses.

A series of events are taking place around York and North Yorkshire during the week. They include Trees of Time and Place, a workshop at the Sutton Bank

National Park Centre, near Thirsk, on Sunday at 1.30pm. And at Rowntree Park on the same day, story telling, a tree trail and a free bonfire with food starts at 2pm. At Rawcliffe Meadows, hedge-laying was taking place today. For details, call 01904 644300.

Dave Merrett, deputy leader of City of York Council, said: "Trees are an extremely important part of our landscape. Compared with many other places, York does not have a lot of trees, so the ones we do have are all the more important.

"We want people to spare a little time this week to appreciate the trees we have and look at them with new eyes."

He said the council's York Tree Trail leaflet was a perfect way to see a wide variety of specimens in a reasonably short walk.

Tree expert Susan Knowles, of City of York Council, said: "Trees improve our quality of life, not just by being visually attractive but by filtering the polluted air in our towns and cities."

For more details of National Tree Week events in York, contact 01904 613161.

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