Between 2019 and 2021, Jake Gutteridge and Tarant Hobbs, who would later establish the League for the International Appreciation of Trees (LIAT), carried out an extensive Tree Identification Project in Cedars Park, Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, establishing an arboretum area around the main sections of the park with the most attractive trees.

Our project included identifying and tagging trees; creating leaf and bark identification guides; distributing materials to local schools; helping families to discover remembrance trees; and creating a tree trail to enable anyone to explore the most interesting and unique trees around the park.

Furthermore, we shared this information with the Woodland Trust, who were very impressed to learn that this unassuming park contains some rare exotic trees, and they received this project very positively. We also attempted to get protection for some ancient London Plane trees believed to be planted by John Tradescant the Elder, who worked on the estate gardens of Theobalds Palace for Robert Cecil before Cecil traded Theobalds to King James I and moved to Hatfield House. Today, the remains of Theobalds Palace stand in what is now known as Cedars Park, and many of the garden features can still be seen and enjoy.

Later, in October 2022, we were pleased to be invited to attend an Awards Ceremony by the Council to Protect Rural England (CPRE) Hertfordshire, where we were awarded the Dorothy Abel-Smith Bronze Standard as a token of appreciation for carrying out this project for the communities of Cheshunt and Waltham Cross.