Sidmouth Arboretum > Annual Tree Day >>> reports

Another full, successful Tree Day was held this year:
Futures Forum: Sidmouth Arboretum > Annual Tree Day Friday 29th May

With guest speaker Jonathan Porritt talking about his vision for the future:
Futures Forum: Climate change: Jonathan Porritt, the Forum for the Future and 'The World We Made'

Here is the overview from the Herald:

Breaking news & sport in Sidmouth | Sidmouth Herald

And here is the full report from the Arboretum itself:

TREE DAY

Sidmouth civic Arboretum held their 3rd Annual Tree day on Friday 29 May. 
The theme of the day related to the changes we may anticipate in our lives by the year 2050. 
The keynote speaker was Sir Jonathon Porritt CBE based on his book The World we Made. 
The Vision Group for Sidmouth joined with Sidmouth Arboretum to present an excellent line up of speakers and supporting displays. 

Hugh Angus, our consultant dendrologist, was Master of Ceremonies for the day. Hugh well understands that trees form only a part of our environment, but that everything is connected. 

This was the title of the first talk by local ecologist, Louise Woolley, who has just completed her booklet The Natural History of the Sid Valley, (which is being published by the Sid Vale Association). Louise had some wonderful photos of the secret wildlife of the valley and she outlined the ecological services trees provide (provisional, regulating, cultural and natural capital), suggesting ways that we can maintain and improve the habitats which attract and nurture these plants and animals. 

The next speaker was Paul Bartlett, who is garden manager at the Stone Lane Gardens near Chagford which hold a National Collection of birch and alder. Paul travels to Georgia in search of a rare type of birch and he gave an amusing account of the sometimes dubious excitements of camping in the mountains of this poor country, where local goat herds are devastating what remains of the wild forest cover. He was quite clear however on the scientific nature of his work, which seeks to retain the genetic material of wild collected birch trees. 

In his presentation, Kevin Frediani uses the phrase “Urban Forest”, which means the trees in and around a built up area, they are a key component of our green infrastructure. Our climate is changing, the population is growing, our food supply is in question and water quality uncertain – so how can trees help? As a college lecturer, Kevin sees that new jobs are emerging and students need to study at an interdisciplinary level-Studying trees and how they impact on soils and water availability, and studying health issues, such as a walk in the park is better than a drug prescription. Kevin has kindly given us a copy of the slides for his talk: Frediani Tree Day Talk. Please note that the layout is distorted by the process of converting to .pdf 

Mark Broadmeadow policy adviser for the Forestry Commission on adapting to climate change This is long term stuff: A five year plan won’t do, for trees we need to think 25/50 years ahead. So we can make the changes necessary for 2050, given the climate changes already taking place. Apart from the pests and diseases newly arriving in UK, such as Asian long horn beetle and ash disease, the greatest threats to young newly planted trees are our own squirrel and deer. So there is a huge job to do in protection and maintenance of new tree planting in order to limit the damage and increase the tree canopy. With the likely 40% budget cuts for councils and further cuts to Forestry Commission, action at local level is crucial. We need to know the asset values of trees: timber, wood fuel, health, tourism, fodder, and wildlife food. Together, local and regional landowners, communities, and agencies can plan for sustainable growth while conserving the beauty and benefits of the living forest heritage. Mark has kindly given us a copy of the slides for his talk: Broadmeadow Tree Day Talk. Please note that the layout is distorted by the process of converting to .pdf 

JONATHON PORRITT founder of Forum for the Future gave the keynote speech. Jonathan is an amazing speaker, no gimmicks, no pictures, just words delivered with knowledge and passion. His book THE WORLD WE MADE shows 2050 UK as a place where we’d all love to live. Exciting, aspirational, high-tech, fair and hopeful.! He asks: Why are we waiting? Get smart, plant more trees. And be fair, consider events on a global scale - How would you justify that we campaign against destruction of the rain forest abroad, and yet fail to maintain and increase our own tree cover. We need to give more value to our natural assets. Sidmouth civic Arboretum is a unique concept and as Vicki Taylor of Connaught Road noted “We are pioneers!” The Arboretum is well placed to work with the community and town and district council to plan long term for our parks and gardens, and not just public gardens - but to involve individuals in selection and planting and maintenance of trees. 

PERRIE HALE forest nursery had a great display of trees for sale, and a great new website www.perriehale.co.uk – so get in touch with Ollie and order your autumn planting in support of Sidmouth Arboretum! 

PROFESSOR EWAN ANDERSON was busy demonstrating his skills at pencil drawings of trees. Available as mounted prints, or postcards, these strike a balance between botanic and artistic excellence. www.tree-drawings.co.uk 

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