By sponsoring a juniper, through Cumbria Wildlife Trust, you will be drawing attention to the plight of Britain’s trees.

While the trust works to help junipers regenerate it is also involved in replacing invasive species with native British trees in woodlands around Cumbria.

As National Tree Week begins on Monday, it is a great opportunity to show some support for a native tree that has struggled over the past century.

Cumbria is a stronghold for the juniper which is important, not only because it is one of only three native species of conifer in the UK, but it is also the specific home for over 40 species of bugs and fungus. If our juniper becomes extinct the species that depend on it may do so too.

The Wildlife Trust’s Uplands for Juniper project is having great success in planting, surveying and protecting juniper trees in Cumbria, but it is important that it continues.

Uplands for Juniper project officer Mike Douglas said: “Christmas trees have already been appearing outside supermarkets and garden centres for weeks now. Having a tree in the house helps to remind us just how beautiful the natural world is.

“I think sponsoring a juniper is a fantastic way of giving something back to nature for providing us with an amazing symbol for our Christmas festivities. Then every time you look at your Christmas tree you can think of your own sponsored tree adding to the natural beauty of the Lakeland fells.”

Sponsoring a juniper costs from £10 for which you will receive a certificate and a card to use if you wish to pass it on as a gift to someone else.

During National Tree Week (Nov 27- Dec 4) the Tree Council and the Cumbria Wildlife Trust is encouraging people to plant a tree to help the environment.

For more information go to thebigtreeplant.direct.gov.uk

To sponsor a juniper visit cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk or call 01539 816300.