1. The Trust values trees, and recognises their importance to the heritage and socio-economic and cultural life of the island.

2. The Trust values trees of significance in the landscape: individual trees, avenues of trees, trees in public places both in the rural and urban environment, trees greening barren land or providing screening in urban developments, trees that have a particular historic interest, old woods as well as native woods, both of which have shaped and given character to their particular location and have historical associations.

3. The Trust values mature forests and believes that wooded areas that have amenity value to the public and historical significance or association- for example: Casons and Plantation Forest should be conserved and developed for amenity use.  Should felling be necessary because of a danger to the public or disease, the tree or trees felled should be replaced in order to maintain the character of these forests/wooded area.

4. The Trust notes that the trees in Jamestown are particularly special and important and the reasons for this are ably described by Hugh Crallan (Crallan.H. Listing and Preservation of Buildings of Architectural and Historic Interest 1974 #38 and 39)

“The architecture of the individual buildings…. combine to make a town of unique and individual character…the sequence of landing place, fortifications, Town Gate, Castle Official Buildings and Parade, Church and Main Street…is satisfying in function and appearance.

The whole simple sequence is punctuated and varied by tree-filled open spaces, first the Public Gardens whose trees have spread their branches so as partly to hide the view up Main Street (thus creating an element of surprise) “The Trees”  by the Cannister where slaves were bought and sold – then the great shady clump of the Children’s playground followed by the Brewery Yard and Young’s Gardens, the remains of the Botanic Gardens and so on right up to the termination of the Town with the historic gardens of Maldivia. Many of the individual trees and small gardens give further relief and contrast on the way and it will continue to be a prime objective in all planning decisions to preserve them and anticipate the necessity for eventual replacements.”

5. In pursuance of its values the Trust will:

(i) Include in the National Heritage Register trees identified as having heritage value and /or National Significance.

(ii) Encourage the practice of replanting where a tree or trees are felled/ die  and have been recognised to have historic or social value.

(iii) In advising Government, the Trust will use best practice regarding pruning, lopping and felling techniques and continue to advise on requests for felling or management of historic trees and /or Tree Preservation Orders and will work with Government to develop a Management Plan for Trees in Jamestown.  The Trust will continue to work with St Helena Government, the Environmental Advisory Consultative Forum (EACF), the Agriculture and Natural Resources Department and other bodies to realise this and establish appropriate policies and actions to provide protection for special trees.

(iv) Encourage initiatives to develop a culture of tree planting including that of volunteer planting and will continue to raise the profile of trees within the community through education and other appropriate means including the introduction of a National Tree Day [August 4th in commemoration of the inauguration of the Millennium Forest Project].