National Diploma in Forestry and Arboriculture lecturers Mark Tansley and Steve Woollard are to measure some of the tallest trees in Britain, raise awareness of the natural heritage of the UK and promote interest in a range of tree-industry-related opportunities.

Tansley said:  "It's a fantastic project to be involved in. It will be a great experience to climb some of the tallest trees in Britain. Finding a new champion tree would be a huge bonus. I'm looking forward to the whole experience.

"The students are really interested in the project and can't wait to follow it up. We've got a few leads as to where some previously unmeasured tall trees may be growing. It should be a fantastic, practical task to seek them out and climb and measure them."

Woollard said: "This is a rare opportunity which I definitely couldn't say no to. It is a huge incentive to think that we might discover a new tallest tree."

Joining Tansley and Woollard on the trip are Lukasz Warzecha, a photographer and lead tree climber; Justin Palmer, NPTC assessor/SRT instructor and retailer for Safety Technology in South Wales; and Chris Hunter, lead climber for Urban Forestry in Bury St Edmonds.

The trees were chosen in conjunction with the Tree Register, which administers and keeps records of the UK's tallest trees. Six of the top 10 tallest trees are in Scotland.

The team's first stop will be Argyll, where they will measure a Douglas fir on 19 February. This will be followed by a second Douglas fir at The Hermitage near Dunkeld, Perthshire, on 20 February. Their final destination is the grand fir in Diana's Grove, Blair Castle on 21 February.

The team are using measuring techniques approved by the Tree Register. They will use both single and double-rope technique to carefully climb to a safe point near the top and use a pole to reach the tip. From the bottom of the pole they will drop a 100m tape to the floor.

All participants are fully qualified tree-climbing arboriculturalists and have between five and 17 years industrial experience, each with over 50 years in total.

The expedition is being sponsored by Stihl.