M A G A Z I N E SPRING 2009
ISSUE 75
£2.50
Barn raising in Silk Wood Cherry blossom Our Tree Team visit Japan Charlotte Uhlenbroek
RARE RHODODENDRONS at Westonbirt
CONTENTS HOLFORDIANA
editor’s welcome Spring really is zinging and buzzing at Westonbirt this year. There is so much to see and do. Cover Rhododendron ‘Mrs R.S.Holford’ by Hugh Angus Westonbirt The National Arboretum Magazine Issue 75, Spring 2009 March, April, May © 2009 Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum Reg. Charity 293190 Reg. Company 4965522
Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum Tetbury, GLOS. GL8 8QS Membership 01666 880148 www.fowa.org.uk
[email protected] Editor Louisa Lockwood Advertising Call 0845 644 5823 Email
[email protected] Views expressed in Westonbirt The National Arboretum Magazine are not necessarily those of the Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum or the Forestry Commission. Every effort is made to check factual accuracy, but no guarantees are expressed or implied. In particular, readers should satisfy themselves about the authenticity of products advertised.
2012 8531
Maple Loop planting is complete, and contains many interesting species worth a visit in their own right, but take a moment to enjoy the sheer beauty of this new area in the spring – bluebells shimmering through fresh grass, maple flowers and new leaves a startling range of colours beneath the swaying larches. The What’s On pages (8-13) are full of spring events, but if they can’t tempt you out, perhaps Hugh Angus’ cherry trail (page 27) or the NEW fold-out seasonal trail map of the back page will! You may also see some of the beautiful and rare rhododendrons that have been uncovered by Lear Associates – not least our cover girl, ‘Mrs R.S. Holford’. Visit the oak barn that has sprung up in Silk Wood (page 17), largely funded by the Friends (yes, that’s you) and find out where the rest of your membership money, generous donations and legacies have been put to good use (page 56). You will already have noticed the magazine’s fresh new look – I am pleased to introduce Kava Media as the agency now responsible for design and production. We have also moved to vegetable-based printing ink and a biodegradable mailing ‘envelope’. Westonbirt Wednesdays are back! Throughout April and May non-members can visit the arboretum for half the normal admission price, while members can bring along other friends to enjoy the spring. Upload your images and share your experiences of Westonbirt as we move into the twentieth century with a NEW presence on Facebook and a children’s poster gallery (page 63). Keep an eye on the Westonbirt website and sign-up for e-news (page 23) because new activities will be posted as the spring season gets underway.
Louisa Lockwood, Editor Email:
[email protected] Summer Editorial Copy Deadline: 20 March Autumn Editorial Copy Deadline: 26 June westonbirt
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THE TREE HOUSE SPRING
contents FEATURES WONDERS OF WESTONBIRT: 24 Flowering cherries by Hugh Angus 27 Spring cherry trail
HAPPY HOLIDAYS! Eco-friendly destinations in the UK
42
28 More wonderful plants
A JAPANESE ADVENTURE THE BUILDING OF SILK WOOD BARN
by Mark Ballard
17
by Simon Toomer
LAST LEAF: Sarah Wilkinson: climate change
RARE RHODODENDRONS by Beverly and Michael Lear
32
interview WORDS WITH:
R EA
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Charlotte Uhlenbroek
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ER
O FF E R
Happy Holidays! Page
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45 66
SPRING THE TREE HOUSE
IN THIS SPRING 2009 ISSUE… regulars 6 Your letters
31 Rainfall chart 2008
7 Visitor information
31 Crossword 2008 solution and winner
8 Spring calendar
69 Join a friend at Westonbirt
WHAT’S ON THIS SPRING
HOLFORDIANA: 54 Annual General Meeting 2009
11 Westonbirt event details
55 Trustee elections
13 Westonbirt’s morning concert
56 Project report by Peter Houlton
R EA
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10 Hillier Gardens visit
ER
O FF E R
Book reviews Page
58
58 Book reviews
SPRING RECIPE: Elderflower bavarois 15 Exhibitions
59
THE TREE HOUSE:
21 & 23 On-Site News
61 Family events 62 Spring activities 63 Westonbirt on-line 67 Spring Trail Map
YOUR GARDENS Q&A: Pruning walnuts
Connecting people with trees
29 When you have finished with this magazine please recycle it
Designed & produced on behalf of Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum by Kava Media Ltd PO Box 23, Dursley, Gloucestershire GL11 5WA Tel: 0845 644 5823 Email:
[email protected] Printed on Hello, fully biodegradable and recyclable. Mill ISO14001 and EMAS accredited. Printed in the UK by Newnorth Print ISO9001-2000
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TYPE OF ARTICLE RUNNING HEAD
CONTENTS HOLFORDIANA
YOUR LETTERS
We welcome your feedback, opinions and gardening questions, which may be edited for publication. Please email
[email protected] OR write to Editor, Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum, Tetbury, Gloucestershire GL8 8QS OR deliver any correspondence to the Great Oak Hall.
An alternative view of climate change
Silk Wood Barn
Issue 74 states on page 24 that the climate is warming and man is directly responsible. Nonsense! NASA satellites show warming stopped four years ago and only flawed computer models show an influence from mankind! DEFRA cite outdated politically distorted views from the IPCC whose chairman has said he ignores recent research – clearly he’s not a scientist! CO2 is neither a pollutant nor driver of climate; it is essential to all plant life and is now present as only a miniscule 0.038% of earth’s atmosphere. H2O is earth’s massively dominant greenhouse gas; solar energy reaching us also depends on cyclical output changes, cosmic radiation affecting cloud formation, changing planetary orbits etc. We are entering cycle 24, signalling decades of cooling! Supporting references are available. Puny man cannot change the climate and scientific debate is being politically stifled.
I have been running chairmaking courses at Westonbirt for seven years. What you achieve with limited resources and the enthusiasm of staff and volunteers is truly impressive. However, I had some reservations about a proposed new building and about making the building of it into an Oak Framing Course. In fact the week was a triumph. The members of The Carpenters Fellowship who ran the course were craftspeople of the very highest order. There was a thoroughness about the organisation and infrastructure behind the week as well as the teaching and framing itself which was a delight to see, as were the friendships, exchanges of skills and resources and the enthusiasm which made the project work. The building is already beautiful. Its elegant proportion and clever orientation perfectly enhance its landscape. Please accept my gratitude and appreciation for being part of the project and convey my thanks to all those involved (especially Simon Toomer) for all the work that went into it.
Have your say
Sincerely, R. J. Dennish email:
[email protected]
Enchanted Christmas 2008 Tell us what you think of the recent changes to our winter event. We strive to achieve a balance between exciting schemes and daytime aesthetics, health and safety and cost effectiveness. The 2008 illuminated trail was shorter and, where possible, wider; there was more focus on the trees (more individual trees floodlit and fewer sculptures) and Father Christmas mingled with the crowds. We know that many visitors loved it, but we’ve also heard from a few who preferred previous formats. Please tell us what YOU think and whether you’d like to see anything else at the Enchanted Christmas. © {wP~w{
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Yours, Paul Hayden, Somerset.
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VISITOR INFORMATION Friends Of Westonbirt Arboretum
The Plant Centre Open daily 10am – 5pm Enquiries 01666 880544 Email {
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Education Centre
Children get active at Westonbirt Thank you for all you have done for children at Westonbirt. We had a wonderful visit with our children. They loved climbing the tree trunks and playing Billy Goats Gruff on the troll bridge. The activities proved great encouragement to get them around the trail. I loved the way things are hidden in the trees. The play area beside the outdoor café is beautiful and in the perfect place to allow Mums and Dads to have that well-earned cup of tea. We are looking forward to many visits over the years. Thank you. Yours faithfully, Eugenie Houlden, Bristol.
Trustee Opportunities
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Membership
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The Education Team offer a wide range of fun, hands-on programmes. Enquiries 01666 881211
Volunteering
The Forest Shop Open daily 10am – 5pm Enquiries 01666 881208
Weddings and Civil Partnerships Tel 01666 881215 Email y{{
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Maples Restaurant
Other hirings
Open daily 10am – 5pm Available for evening hire. Enquiries 01666 880558
Courtyard Café Open daily 10am – 5pm March–December
Wheelchair Reservations Please book early. Collect from Visitor Services. Open daily 9am – 5pm Bookings 01666 881218
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Open 9am Mon-Fri, 8am Sat-Sun. Closed 8pm from 1 April – 31 Oct and 5pm from 1 Nov – 31 March (or dusk if earlier). General Enquiries Tel 01666 880221 (Mon–Fri)
Tel 01666 881221 Email
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EVENTS SPRING 2009
CONTENTS HOLFORDIANA
spring calendar
westonbirt arboretum event planner Date
Time
Event
Sun 8 Mar
10am – 1pm
Specialist Wood Sales
Sun 22 Mar
10am
Film ‘A Convenient Truth’
Cost
MARCH FREE for Friends
Weds 25 Mar
Beginners Digital Landscape Photography
£50
Sat 28 to Sun 29 Mar
Stained Glass Exhibition & Auction
FREE after admission
Westonbirt Wednesdays
Half-price admission
APRIL Every Wednesday Weds 1 Apr
10.15am
Coffee Morning Q&A with Stephen Segar
FREE for Friends
Fri 3 Apr
10.30am – 3.30pm
Willow-making Day
tbc
Mon 6 to Fri 10 Apr
10.30am – 4pm
Easter Eggtastic (family event)
£2 after admission
Pots in the Forest Exhibition & Sale
FREE after admission
Weds 8 to Tues 14 Apr Sun 12 Apr
10am – 1pm
Specialist Wood Sales
Tues 14 to Fri 17 Apr
10.30am – 4pm
Wild Woodland Walks (family event)
FREE after admission
Sat 18 Apr
8pm
Bath Light Operatic Group
£8
Sun 19 Apr
11am – 1pm
Westonbirt’s Wildflowers Walk
FREE after admission
Fri 24 Apr
7.30pm
Lecture ‘A Convenient Truth’
FREE lecture; Supper £15
Sat 25 Apr to Sun 3 May
10am – 5pm
Garden Products from Silk Wood’s Coppice
Sat 25 April
10.30am
Friends’ AGM
Sat 25 April
12 noon
Illustrated talk
FREE for Friends
Sun 26 April
10.30am
Japanese Plants Guided Walk
FREE for Friends
Sun 26 April
11.30am
Feed the Children Wellie Walk
Weds 29 April
Advanced Digital Photography Workshop
£95
MAY Every Wednesday
Westonbirt Wednesdays
Half-price admission
Sun 3 May
4.30am – 6.30am
Dawn Chorus Walk
£4
Sat 9 May
9am – 7pm
Day trip to Hillier Gardens
£21
Sat 9 May
11am
National Osteoporosis Society Big Bone Walk
Sun 10 May
10am – 1pm
Specialist Wood Sales
Thurs 21 to Tues 26 May
‘Vessel’ Handcrafted Goods Exhibition
FREE after admission
Fri 22 May
10.30am – 3.30pm
Willow-making Day
tbc
Sun 24 May
10.30am
Bluebell Walk
FREE for Friends
Tues 26 to Thurs 28 May
10.30am – 4.30pm
Survival of the Fittest (family event)
FREE after admission
Beginners Digital Landscape Photography
£50
Fri 19 June
Mcfly (concert)
£26.50
Sat 20 June
Paul Weller (concert)
£33
Sun 21 June
Simply Red (concert)
£32.50
Tues 14 July
Day trip to Hergest Croft Gardens & Westonbury Mill Water Gardens
tbc
Saturday 18 July
Vanessa Mae (picnic concert)
£30
Weds 27 May ADVANCE NOTICE
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EVENTS SPRING 2009
WHAT’S ON THIS SPRING events at westonbirt arboretum
Hillier Gardens Visit Sir Harold Hillier Gardens – coach trip
The Bog Garden at Hillier Gardens
ITINERARY
BOOKING DETAILS
Departing Westonbirt Arboretum at 9am (the ONLY pick-up point), we will arrive at Ampfield about 11am. At 11.30am, guided tours lasting about 90 minutes have been arranged for us to see plants of particular interest. The coach will leave the gardens at 5pm, arriving back at Westonbirt about 7pm.
Cost of £21 per person includes the coach fare, entry to the Gardens and the guided tour. You are at liberty to bring your own picnic or use the Hillier Gardens restaurant. There are only 49 places available. Please apply early to avoid disappointment. To join the Friends’ coach
Sir Harold Hillier Gardens
FRIENDS’ EVENT Saturday 9 May These famous Hampshire gardens were established in 1953 by the distinguished plantsman Sir Harold Hillier. The 42,000 plants from temperate regions around the world grow in a variety of landscapes set in more than 180 acres, including woodland, a 200 metre long summer border and the largest Winter Garden in Europe. www.hilliergardens.org.uk
trip, please send your telephone number, a stamped self-addressed envelope and a cheque, payable to FOWA, for £21 per person to: Rosemary Westgate, 8 Kemble Grove, Cheltenham, GL51 6TX. Please telephone Rosemary on 01242 697 588 if you have any other queries.
FRIENDS’ EVENTS As a member of Westonbirt, you are automatically a ‘Friend’. All events are FREE for Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum (FOWA), unless otherwise indicated. www.fowa.org.uk tel: 01666 880148 10
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understanding. Time spent in the arboretum will put new techniques into practice. © cw
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Coffee Morning Q&A with Stephen Segar
A short film by the Forestry Commission about climate change, presented by John Weir, Director of Arboreta, who will also discuss the future of the arboretum. tel: 01666 880148 www.fowa.org.uk
FRIENDS’ EVENT m{z{zwGW 10.15am coffee, 10.45am session ]{wew^w An opportunity to put your queries to Stephen Segar, Chairman of the Friends, and to hear about future plans. tel: 01666 880148 www.fowa.org.uk
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Wild Woodland Walks j{zwGJ¤\zwGMW GFDIFw¤JB~w wGGwBGDIFwzI [zyw
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Willow-making Day
Beginners Digital Landscape Photography
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small hurdles for your garden. Tools and materials supplied. © X
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Bath Light Operatic Group
Wednesday 25 March KF{z{{}w{ ]{wew^w For those with a digital camera but stuck on auto! We will improve skills and
WbbZWj[iH¤J?BOW¤GIW>GFw¤J?B GJW>GFw¤H? Over 250 pieces of woodfired stoneware, porcelain and rainbow raku by the Eeles family of potters. Each piece is individually decorated with a variety of techniques. Inspiration for shape and pattern is principally drawn from nature, and colours and glazes are under continual development. W{~x{zy{wyw{|
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©ijW_d[Z]bWii[n^_X_j_edGFw¤J? HLcw>GFw¤H? A collection of beautifully handcrafted contemporary furniture, glass, metalwork, woodturning and more, made by some of today’s finest exponents of their craft. All of the exhibitors place a great emphasis on selecting, where possible, native, sustainablysourced and reclaimed materials to produce unique, innovative work of the finest quality. You are very welcome to meet the makers, purchase, commission or just admire the work on show. e}w{zxi{Zw
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westonbirt
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THE BUILDING OF SILK WOOD BARN
All photos: Rob Cousins
SILK WOOD BARN FEATURE
by Simon Toomer, Curator, Westonbirt, The National Arboretum
A
nyone walking the native tree trail in recent weeks will have already seen the latest feature in the landscape of Silk Wood. Situated in an open glade, the new Silk Wood Barn may seem to have sprung up overnight, but the planning and preparation for its creation has taken over a year.
utilise the wood produced by our normal operations. Traditional skills and hand tools would shape the oak, sweet chestnut and larch all grown at Westonbirt.
The new barn is raised in a single day. Simon Toomer dons his hard hat for action.
UTILISING OUR WOOD We have, for some time, wanted a new craft shelter for courses and interpretation about native woodland and its management. The philosophy behind the barn was to demonstrate the use of timber arising from coppice and other woodland restoration. So, the frame and roof would westonbirt
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FEATURE SILK WOOD BARN these responses and our wish to extend the range of skills, came the week-long timber-framing course. The Carpenters’ Fellowship was an extremely valuable partner thanks to their skills, contacts and experience in
“Traditional skills and hand tools would shape the oak, sweet chestnut and larch all grown at Westonbirt” similar projects. A barn design had already been produced by Gerwyn Lewis, a leading light in the renaissance of green woodworking skills. Before long, oak timber was being put aside for the various building elements. It was particularly important to select the eight jowl posts, the main ‘pillars’ requiring logs with a natural flare.
Carefully sliding in a curved brace. Notice the different marks and design features carved in the wood.
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A JOINT EFFORT The building of the barn became a training event in itself, an idea originating from the ‘Week in the Woods’ courses run with the Green Wood Centre. Some students have taken up apprenticeships in woodland skills such as hurdle and gate making, charcoal burning and coppicing, while others have told us what a fantastic experience the course and camping at Westonbirt had been. From
WEATHERED WOOD Early September was one of the wettest weeks of the year, but five tutors and 30 students braved the dismal conditions with a determination and enthusiasm that never wavered. As ground conditions deteriorated, the scene resembled a military operation with the arboretum’s Tree Team pressed into action to ferry supplies along muddy tracks to the workers. In quieter moments, the Tree Team also helped make the oak pegs that would eventually lock the whole frame together.
Many on the course were complete novices and their achievement owes much to the skill and patience of Henry Russell and the other instructors. The students included Friends as well as three youngsters from The Prince’s Trust. By the end of the week, all the frame elements were completed and only the soggy ground prevented the barn raising. THE BARN RAISING On a fine day in mid-October, a good crowd watched while the frame was gradually raised and pegged. The whole thing took just eight hours, ending with the traditional ‘topping-out’ – an oak branch was nailed to the end roof truss just as the light failed. At the time of writing, the roof has still to be completed with the 3500 oak and chestnut shingles made by Brian Williamson and Ruth Goodfellow, Silk Wood’s resident craft coppicers. Silk Wood Barn is a wonderful expression of human craftsmanship and ingenuity. It links the ancient tradition of timber-framing with the modern management and conservation of our native woodland. Visitors
will shelter in it, others will picnic and play around it and, of course, craft skills will be passed on. Whatever uses the barn is put to in the centuries to come,
“It is a wonderful expression of human craftsmanship and ingenuity” the woodlands around it will be yielding oak trees to provide the inspiration and raw material for future designers and craftsmen. ■ www.carpentersfellowship.co.uk
Clockwise from top left: raising a rafter; Michaela Strachen from BBC Countryfile heaves to; Henry Russell prays it all fits; Gerwyn Lewis watches his barn design come to life.
Thank you to the Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum, it was your money that funded the building of the barn. See page 56 for the Project Report.
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CONTENTS SPRING HOLFORDIANA ON-SITE NEWS
ON-SITE NEWS SNIPPETS FROM WESTONBIRT Crafty contributors Sunday 4 October 2009, Great Oak Hall
Are you a ‘crafty’ person – a wood turner, photographer, cook or otherwise talented? Anyone who can contribute items or time will be much appreciated. All profits to the Friends’ charity in support of arboretum projects. Please call Maureen Gobbett on 0117 956 4769 or email
[email protected]
100 visitors’ views
●
●
Winter works
Bamboozled? Why has the bamboo clump in Sand Earth been chopped to the ground? Bamboo tends to seed then die – it is a grass after all. This particular clump died back last year, like many of them in the arboretum, and we cut it back to see if it would regenerate. The fence is to keep the deer off.
You may have walked along some extra muddy paths in Silk Wood this past winter – caused by our continuing landscape regeneration. In Sand Earth, spreading rhododendron clumps have been cut back, several of the big Lawson cypress and Leyland cypress trees have been removed and the boundary wall has been cleared to help with maintenance and access.
●
●
●
85% of visitors to the arboretum believe that climate change will have some impact on Westonbirt. There was uncertainty as to what the Forestry Commission is doing to mitigate against or adapt to climate change (see John Weir’s article in the Winter 2008 magazine). 25% believe that cutting down trees is always bad, even if they are replaced. There was uncertainty about the benefits of using wood fuel over fossil fuels. 79% think that there are actions that can be taken to mitigate climate change and that the future is bright.
Coppice progress and products The woodland work along Silk Wood’s ‘valley’ is part of the coppice restoration by resident coppice workers, Brian Williamson and Ruth Goodfellow. They are aided by the volunteers’ Working Party who will also be planting over 300 young hazels into the area. A range of woodland products are also becoming available. Hurdles, cleft-oak gates, faggots, firewood and even small,
Brian and Ruth at work restoring Silk Wood’s traditional coppice.
timber-framed buildings can all be obtained through Brian at www.westcountrycoppice.co.uk or tel: 01453 873145. westonbirt
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SPRING ON-SITE NEWS
Watch out – the RSPB’s about!
If you are a Friend with an e-mail address and would like to be amongst the first to know about any news, special events or offers; please send your membership number and request to
[email protected] or telephone us on 01666 880148.
The planting of a staggering 80 trees has recently been completed in Maple Loop. About half are Japanese maples and the rest have been chosen for their beauty, their rarity or botanical interest. Look out for plum-fruited yews, Prumnopitys andina, on the IUCN Red List as ‘vulnerable’; a clump of bamboo, Phyllostachys bissetii, and a clump of the deciduous conifer, Taxodium distichum, which will provide alternative autumn colour. One rarity is a new maple species, Acer wuyuanense.
Rhododendrons at risk
GAP Photos / Visions
80 NEW TREES IN A LOOP
Family events online
Be first with e-news
All the family events for 2009 are available on our website. See what’s on at www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt-families
The RSPB and Westonbirt have a newly formalized partnership to “raise awareness and interpretation of the woodland wildlife at the arboretum to encourage a love for nature among visitors”. Members will benefit from free interpretation at certain events and from RSPB presence in the Bird Room between September and February.
The fungus-like pathogen, Phytophthora ramorum, which causes Sudden Oak Death Syndrome, was found in November 2008 on three Rhododendron ponticum bushes in the New Forest. The infected IT’S A WRAP plants have been destroyed and the area treated with herbicide. Your magazine is now In fact, the risk to native oak is delivered wearing a small, but other native species biodegradable polywrap such as ash and beech are – it breaks down within susceptible to the pathogen. 12-18 months and claims to See http://www.forestry.gov.uk/ feed ‘positive nutrients into forestry/INFD-6g2fbx your compost’.
Contributors: Maureen Gobbett, Ruth Goodfellow, Ben Oliver, Bev Starkings, Simon Toomer, Sarah Wilkinson. westonbirt
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WONDERS OF WESTONBIRT SPRING
Flowering CHERRIES
This spring, Hugh Angus, Head of Tree Collections, takes a look at the arboretum’s cherry collection and highlights some of his favourite specimens. Follow the trail map on page 27 to find them.
S
pring! There is something to see at every turn of the path, be it trees, shrubs or wild flowers. Some of you may have wondered what we are doing with Westonbirt’s cherry collection. Many of the plants have various ailments, made worse by growing so many together, so we are busy
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dispersing the collection over a wider area of the arboretum and filling in the gaps. Cherries belong in the rose family, Rosaceae and are in the genus Prunus along with almonds, peaches, plums and apricots. Flowering cherries are related to them all. Many of us only think of cherries when they
OLD JAPANESE CULTIVAR My first choice is Prunus ‘Shirotae’ (sometimes known as Prunus ‘Mount Fuji’) and, like a lot of the old Japanese cherry
Prunus ‘Tai-haku’, which also has great spring flowers, but is more upright in form, and its newly emerging leaves have a lovely bronze tinge to them. We have several good specimens of ‘Tai-haku’, and the best are to be found in squares D20 and H18, near the Forest Shop.
“the combination of newly emerged bright green leaves and a pure white flower makes ‘Shirotae’ an outstanding plant” cultivars, its parentage has become uncertain over the years. Shirotae is the Japanese name for a white cloth made from the fibres of the paper mulberry, Broussonetia papyrifera. Choosing a favourite cherry based on flower colour alone would be difficult. However, the combination of newly emerged bright green leaves and a pure white flower makes ‘Shirotae’ an outstanding plant. Our best ‘Shirotae’ specimens are to be found in square O14, not far from the edge of Willesley Drive. A walk out to see them during April is always worthwhile. It is not a tall tree, but it spreads well: the arboretum specimens are 3.5 metres (12 ft) across but only a few feet high. The leaves are around 15 cm (six inches) long and up to five cm (two inches) across with a serrated edge ending in very fine tips. This is a feature of many of the older Japanese cultivars. BACK FROM THE BRINK ‘Shirotae’ can be confused with The Great White Cherry,
‘Tai-haku’ was thought to have been lost to cultivation until one was discovered growing in a Sussex garden. Mrs Freeman had acquired the plant around the turn of the century but it was going into decline when spotted in 1923. ‘Tai-haku’ was rescued from extinction
Prunus ‘Shirotae’ (left) and Prunus ‘Tai-haku’ (below)
by Collingwood Ingram who recognised its importance and had it propagated. All plants today originate from this one, and they are now found growing around the world.
Photos: GAP Photos/S & O
Photo: GAP Photos/Jonathan Buckley – Location: Brogdale National Fruit Collection
flower in the spring, but some plants offer year-round attractive bark and good autumn colour.
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Photo: Jack Sheper/Floridata.com
WONDERS OF WESTONBIRT SPRING
The blossom and bark of Prunus serrula Photo: Hugh Angus
“at its best the bark is absolutely fabulous”
Should you wish to read further, Japanese Flowering Cherries by Wybe Kuitert and Arie Peterse (Timber Press, 1999) is excellent.
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BEST FOR BARK My third choice is based on bark quality alone; the flowers are very poor in comparison to other cherries. Tibetan cherry, Prunus serrula, was discovered by Abbé Delavay and introduced from western China in 1908 by none other than E.H. Wilson. It can reach 15 metres (50 ft), with slightly less spread. The arboretum’s biggest specimen is in square M17, while the young
plant, down Green Lane in square P13, gives you some idea of just how attractive the bark can be. The bark is hard to describe, but many say it is a bright shiny brown with a peeling texture. At its best, it is absolutely fabulous. In old age the bark loses some of its colour but takes on a different, equally attractive quality. Pay it a visit and let me know what you think! ■
How to find the flowering cherries 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 D E F G H I J K L M N O P Prunus serrula [M17, P13] Prunus ‘Shirotae’ [O14] Prunus ‘Tai-haku’ [D20, H18] The squares (eg F20) are the grid system used to divide up the arboretum map. One side of a square represents 100 metres on the ground.
Please use www.thewestonbirtmap.org.uk to locate these trees. Volunteers in the Great Oak Hall can demonstrate how it works. The plants have a unique identification number that refers to the arboretum section and not the square grid shown in the map above.
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WONDERS OF WESTONBIRT SPRING
Other Plants Worth Looking Out For
Use the table below as you walk around Westonbirt Arboretum this spring. Plant
Square
Feature
Time
Aesculus, Horse chestnut Acers Camellias Cherries Corylopsis species Dove tree Drimys winteri Enkianthus species Exochorda species Gaultheria shallon Halesia, Snowdrop tree Illicium simonsii Katsura Lindera Magnolia Maples Pieris Rhododendrons Stachyurus species Staphylea, Bladder nut
H19, I12, N17 Everywhere Savill Glade Everywhere F17, E18, E21, E27, N21 E21 F17 G19, D20, N18, E19, F19 G24, H14, N17 D20 O13, E17, D19 E19 Everywhere E17, E18, L21 F11/18, N16, E22 Everywhere F18 E17/18, F17/18, N21 G24, E18, H11 E17, F22/23, O13
Flower Flower Flowers Flower Flower Flower Flower Flower Flower Flower Flower Flower Flower Flower Flower Flower Flower:leaf Flower:leaf Flower Flower
May March–May Jan–April April/May March/April May May April/May May May/June May April March/April March/April March–June April/May Feb:March March:June March/April April/May
Clockwise from the left: Magnolia, Maple, Horse Chestnut
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YOUR GARDENS Q&A
Pruning walnuts ‘A walnut tree, grown from a nut of a much older tree, is now some 25 years old and starting to spread where its shade is not appreciated. Even in winter a light pruning results in a strong flow of sap which takes a few weeks to heal. Is there anything that would seal the open wounds? If not, does it matter if the tree bleeds copiously until it finally dries up?’ Yours sincerely, Barry Marsh, Cardiff. Dear Barry,
Westonbirt Plant Centre Staff at the Plant Centre are always happy to give advice on the cultural needs of the plants we sell. Open every day, 10am – 5pm. Tel: 01666 880554 Email: westonbirt plantcentre@ forestry.gov.uk
I get many enquiries about pruning trees that have become too large for the space in which they have been planted. It’s easy to say that careful species selection in the first place will avoid the problem – but we’ve all done it! Pruning to reduce size or spread can be successful, but it will need to be repeated, and it’s best to do little and often to avoid big pruning wounds. Walnut trees have a habit of ‘bleeding’, particularly when
“Follow good pruning practice to support the tree’s natural ability to occlude” pruned between early spring and mid summer. This is not usually as damaging as it may appear but it’s probably best to prune them from mid to late summer
when sap flow is less. In the past, wound treatments or sealants were used in an effort to reduce sap loss or to prevent fungal infection. This is now generally considered to be ineffective and is not recommended. It’s far more important to follow good pruning practice to support the tree’s natural ability to occlude the wound quickly. So-called ‘target’ pruning, and taking care not to leave stubs or bark rips, are all important. For more advice, I would recommend you obtain a good book on the subject. Two that spring to mind are: ●
●
The Pruning of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers by George E. Brown and Tony Kirkham (Timber Press, 2004) RHS Pruning and Training by Christopher Brickell and David Joyce (Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd, 2003)
Simon Toomer, Curator. ■ westonbirt
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SPRING ON-SITE NEWS
Rainfall Chart 2008 2008 2007
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CROSSWORD WINNER M L B O T A D V R E E D E C A R R R R O B I M N L A R K T C L I Z A C P 1
Congratulations to the winner of our ‘Flora & Fauna, but no Latin’ prize crossword from the Winter 2009 magazine. Pearl Foster has a choice of £50 to spend on site or Joint Adult Membership of the Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum. Thank you to Roger Gorst for devising the crossword – apparently it was tougher than last year’s. Check the solution to find out how you did!
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FEATURE RARE RHODODENDRONS
Rare
RHODODEND
Beverley and Michael Lear uncover the historic hybrid rhododendrons at Westonbirt Arboretum 32
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Photos: Lear Associates
T
he treasures on show at Westonbirt during May and June may be less well-known than other aspects of the arboretum. Westonbirt has a nationally important collection of rhododendrons and in the past few years we have been finding out more about them.
“The vital discovery was that the acidic greensand soils in the arboretum were suitable for these lime-hating plants”
RONS
Troughs of rhododendrons awaiting identification by Lear Associates.
THE HOLFORD PLANTINGS The ornamental rhododendron collections at Westonbirt began in the 1860s when R.S.Holford noted in his garden book that one of the tracks in his new arboretum was called ‘Rhododendron Drive’ (now Main Drive). Importantly, unlike other parts of the historic estate which overlie limestone, the discovery that the acidic greensand soils in the arboretum were suitable for the cultivation of these lime-hating plants was a vital step in realising the plantings that we see today. Perhaps then, it was as much a case of finding suitable soils as being a follower of horticultural fashion that fuelled Robert Holford’s interest in rhododendrons. Nonetheless, by 1907 an article in Country Life was able to report that ‘the Rhododendrons, happily growing in suitable soil, are of great magnificence, and every kind is represented’. Robert Holford’s enthusiasm was taken up by his son westonbirt
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FEATURE RARE RHODODENDRONS the flowering season, they hope to work with Simon Toomer (Curator) and Sally Day (Plant Records Officer and Archivist) over the next few years so that the collections can be better labelled for visitors.
Rhododendron ‘Multimaculatum’ – raised by A. Waterer pre-1860. This hybrid is derived mainly from R. ponticum, with the probable addition of ‘blood’ from R. maximum and R. caucasicum. Rarely seen, its small starshaped flowers and strong maroon blotch, compact habit and narrow leaves make it one of the easier old hybrids to identify.
The rhododendrons at Westonbirt begin flowering in April and peak throughout May.
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and indeed, it is one of the remarkable aspects of Westonbirt that we know quite a lot about the horticultural interests of Sir George Holford and his successor, the 4th Earl of Morley, thanks to the attention that they paid to recording the plants. Yet whilst many of the rhododendrons that they planted have flourished and remain in the garden today, over the years the plant labels have disappeared,
HISTORIC REDISCOVERIES Some interesting rediscoveries have already been made, including the distinctive salmon red ‘Mrs R.S.Holford’ (see cover) raised by John Waterer & Sons Nursery in 1866 and the soft lilac ‘Lady Grey Egerton’ from Waterers in 1888 (named after the wife of Robert Holford’s friend, Sir Phillip Egerton, of Oulton, Cheshire). But whilst the genetic range of the very earliest rhododendron hybrids was limited, the introduction of R.griffithianum (1850) and its increasingly successful use as a parent for new hybrids marked a horticultural turning point from the 1880s onwards. These early
“Over the years the plant labels have disappeared ... and it has become increasingly difficult to identify the remaining plants” and as the older rhododendron varieties were superseded in the nursery trade, it has become increasingly difficult to identify the remaining plants. To tackle this, the Forestry Commission contacted Lear Associates for their experience in working on old rhododendron gardens all over the country, including the Rothschild’s famous Exbury Gardens. Since the majority of rhododendrons can only be confidently identified during
hybrids of R. griffithianum are a great strength in the Westonbirt collection, much admired for their tree-like form and magnificent scented white and pale pink blooms. Yet for decades the ambition of horticulturalists was to breed a rhododendron with pure red flowers (without a hint of purplish crimson) which would be hardy in the British climate. C.B. van Nes & Sons Nursery best perfected the
Rhododendron ‘Trilby’ – sibling to the famous ‘Britannia’, ‘Trilby’ is scarcely seen and it is thrilling to find it growing so well at Westonbirt.
We also found the closely related ‘Mrs C. B. van Nes’ and ‘Bulstrode Park’ but it was the intense red flowers of ‘Trilby’ that really caught our eye.
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FEATURE RARE RHODODENDRONS
‘Daphne Millais’ – a pretty pink Rhododendron griffithianum hybrid from the C.B. van Nes & Sons Nursery.
Graham Dennis, volunteer at the arboretum, looks at two books helpful in identifying rhododendrons on page 58.
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elusive red colour, combining it with R. griffithianum to create flowers of considerable size and substance (but losing scent). It is now clear that Westonbirt has an excellent collection of van Nes hybrids such as the famous ‘Britannia’, but also a range of related siblings including ‘Trilby’, ‘Bulstrode Park’ and ‘Mrs C.B. van Nes’ which are more rarely seen. These coupled with pink griffithianum hybrids with names such as ‘Daphne Millais’ and ‘Barbara Wallace’ are enough to make the rhododendron enthusiast’s mouth water. Their shape and colour have the characteristics of a period aesthetic quite unlike the modern
rhododendrons bred to suit today’s smaller gardens. Not only are these plants a hallmark of garden taste during the late Victorian and Edwardian era, but they also reflect the social connections of the Holfords and the most significant period of horticultural development at Westonbirt. CELEBRATING THE COLLECTION With the continuing support of the Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum, we hope to be able to re-establish Westonbirt as a nationally important reference collection of rhododendrons which people will visit, not just
Top finds so far at Westonbirt At the time of writing, just 148 out of 825 listed rhododendron plants have been researched. Key highlights so far include:
to admire their beauty, but to learn about the horticultural enthusiasms and traditions that have made our gardens what they are today. Indeed, working with the historical records and plant lists, we hope to reidentify many of the arboretum’s rhododendrons and to make detailed taxonomic descriptions. Meanwhile on a practical, if optimistic front, we will be on the look out for ‘Snuff Eye’! Seven plants were received from Waterers in 1916 so there is a very good chance that at least one survives somewhere, all we need to do is work out where it is and what it looks like – a task which might be easier said than done! ■
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Best collection of van Nes hybrids, including the important ‘Britannia’ grex that were introduced in the 1920s and include ‘Trilby’, ‘Mrs C.B. van Nes’ and ‘Bulstrode Park’
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Excellent white R. arboreum hybrids including ‘Duchess of Portland’ and ‘Clivianum’
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R. calophytum and R. praevernum (possibly of wild origin)
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R. glischrum (probably from seed collected by R. Farrer in upper Burma in 1919)
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The very rare R. arboreum hybrid with R. fortunei called ‘Ernest Gill’ (pictured below).
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Photos: Charlotte Uhlenbroek
CHARLOTTE UHLENBROEK WORDS WITH
CHARLOTTE UHLENBROEK Zoologist, presenter and writer, Dr Charlotte Uhlenbroek has been obsessed with wildlife since childhood. Her first appearance on screen was in a BBC programme about Gombe, Tanzania, where she spent four years studying wild chimpanzees. She has since presented many series from around the world – and has had some of her best and worst times up trees. What do you find most remarkable about chimpanzees?
The way they constantly surprise you. Their behaviour is so flexible and varied that you can never be sure what you’ll see. At Gombe, there was a little female called Gaia, who one day started carrying a rock around with her like a doll – it was a completely new behaviour that I’d never seen before. It must be hard not to get attached to the animals you work with.
You get very attached. At times you feel like intervening, but you have to keep your distance. I once
followed a group of chimps I knew well into neighbouring territory. They came across a lone male and beat him up very badly. I hated to see animals I cared about behaving in this way. But you can’t judge them by human standards. You have to stay objective.
Charlotte Uhlenbroek, sitting safely on a car bonnet while curious forest elephants try to get on camera.
Interview by Jane Wisbey
Is it a coincidence that many top primatologists are women?
There are some very good male ones, too, though perhaps there are relatively more women in primatology than in other areas of science. Women do make good field biologists; they tend to have the patience and be good at living alone for long periods. westonbirt
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Photo: Charlotte Uhlenbroek
WORDS WITH CHARLOTTE UHLENBROEK
Right: In the lush canopy of Thailand, perched on a sleeping platform with cameraman Simon Wagen.
The best and worst times I’ve had have been up trees! I’m nervous of heights, but it’s amazing being up in the canopy.
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Has it been difficult maintaining scientific credibility while pursuing a TV career?
You seem most inspired by animal behaviour. What about the wider environment?
You should be able to explain science in lively, simple terms without losing accuracy. As editor-in-chief of the recent book Animal Life, I explored the latest discoveries in animal behaviour and worked closely with scientists. There are so many fantastic findings that I want to be accessible to the general public, so I need to keep one foot in each camp.
I studied zoology and psychology and am fascinated by animal behaviour, but you can’t see an animal in isolation, especially if you care about its longterm survival. One of my first memories, growing up in Nepal, was finding out about the hunting of musk deer for musk oil. I was utterly shocked that an animal could be hunted to extinction in this way.
Photo: James Aldred www.canopyaccess.co.uk
Above: An Everest Trek at 12 years old.
in the world) in Borneo, I had to fight my fear all the way up. For my new TV series, I have to climb into the nests of an orangutan and a chimpanzee.
Photo: James Aldred www.canopyaccess.co.uk
Have you ever feared for your life?
What’s the greatest challenge of living in tropical forests?
In a primary rainforest, the biggest challenge is getting things dry – finding a patch of sunlight that will stay for more than 30 seconds. It’s also very easy to get lost. The environment is so intense, and it can be very disorientating. Do you miss your creature comforts?
I take a few things with me that make life a little more comfortable – a flask for a cup of tea, some sort of music and some snacks. I once spent more than two weeks deep in the Congo rainforest with nothing of my own (my luggage went missing). It wasn’t great, but I survived.
Once, when I encountered a forest elephant. She charged, stopped and then came on. I was on foot doing a piece to camera. I ran, turned and screamed at her, then managed to reach the trees where the rest of the crew were. It was in an area where elephants are poached, so they don’t like humans much.
Left: Perched uncomfortably up a very tall (250ft / 80m) mengaris tree in the Borneo jungle.
Our countryside must seem tame. Do you have any favourite haunts?
The woods at the back of my house, just south of Bristol, are wonderful. There are badgers, foxes, owls, buzzards. I love to watch the seasons go by. What’s nice about somewhere really familiar is that you can notice all the small changes as they happen. What next?
I’m working on a four-part TV series on primates. It’s an intimate view of four different groups, all of which are new to me. After that, who knows? I don’t look too far ahead. What’s your dream animal encounter?
How do you feel about climbing trees?
A snow leopard would have to be top of my list. ■
The best and worst times I’ve had have been up trees! I’m very nervous of heights, but it’s amazing being in the canopy. When I climbed an 80-metre mengaris (one of the tallest trees
Animal Life by Charlotte Uhlenbroek (Dorling Kindersley, 2008) New four-part TV series on primates (Five, March 2009)
Jane Wisbey, former deputy editor of BBC Wildlife Magazine, has spent more than 20 years studying, photographing and writing about the natural world and the people shaping it.
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FEATURE ECO-FRIENDLY HOLIDAYS
Happy Holidays! From tipis and yurts to cottages and cabins, there are many fun and eco-friendly places to stay in the UK. We hope you find some inspiration here!
Cabin in the woods Relax on a back-to-nature break, with all the comforts of home Forest Holidays offer weekends and weeks away in unique luxury cabins on Forestry Commission maintained land. In 2009, there will be six sites across the UK in North Yorkshire, Scotland and Cornwall. Immerse yourself in forest-based activities such as cycling trails and ranger-led walks; watch deer, badgers and moths; and enjoy wildflower walks and fungus forays. OFFER: 10% off cabin bookings at off-peak times, quote FHWB09 on the phone number below only. Offer valid until 30th June 2009. Prices start from £136 for a Silver Birch cabin and £154 for a Golden Oak cabin. www.forestholidays.co.uk Reservations and bookings: 0845 130 8223
in Cabins all Cornw
Wild at Heart in Scotland Stretch your legs and refresh your mind with an eco-holiday tailor-made for you
odges
Tulloch L
Explore the vast beaches, tumbling rivers and majestic mountains of north-east Scotland. Discover wild places, wild animals and wild foods; traditional arts & crafts; stories round the campfire and much more. Try a Dolphin Discovery Day, family break, yoga in nature, conservation holiday or another of our memorable experiences to reconnect you with nature. OFFER: 10% off all bookings for 2009, when you quote The Westonbirt Magazine. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers. www.wildatheart-ecoholidays.com tel: 01309 674768 or 07590 832919
Top accolades for Trelowarren Enjoy a five-star stay at the ‘Best Place to Stay in Britain’
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The 1,000-acre estate, close to the Helford River, is one of Europe’s top five botanical sites. Accommodation includes five restored cottages, four houses converted from a barn and eight new eco-houses. A vast woodchip boiler, fuelled by coppicing from the estate, heats the houses and an outdoor swimming pool. The objective for Trelowarren is to become carbon-neutral and self-sufficient. Dogs welcome! OFFER: 10% off tariff for full weeks booked between 21 Feb–1 May, 5 Sept–17 Oct and 31 Oct–19 Dec, when you quote The Westonbirt Magazine. Trelowarren, Mawgan, Helston, Cornwall TR12 6AF www.trelowarren.com tel: 01326 222105
ECO-FRIENDLY HOLIDAYS FEATURE
Go eco-chic in the Yorkshire Dales Idyllic breaks in contemporary lodges made of timber and local stone With 54 acres of stunning woodland and meadows, there’s plenty to do and lots of wildlife to discover. Family activities nearby include biking, horseriding, caving and ballooning, whilst couples will love the secluded, luxurious properties. OFFER: two nights from £360 for up to six guests* with a third night free when you quote The Westonbirt Magazine. Offer valid until 30th June 2009**. Eco -lo *based on low season dates **excludes high season dates (see website) dge in the Da To book call 0161 242 2970 or visit www.naturalretreats.com les
Mongolian yurts on Bodmin Moor Run free range on this organic family farm, with all of nature at hand South Penquite Farm is a 200-acre working organic farm with a huge range of activities on offer. Perfect for letting children explore the natural features of Bodmin Moor and for discovering more about wildlife and the environment. Field studies and school trips also offered. Soil Association demonstration holding. OFFER: 5% off bookings, when you quote The Westonbirt Magazine. www.southpenquite.co.uk or call Dominic and Cathy Fairman on 01208 850491
The Barton family enjoy South Penquit e’s roomy yurt
Test out a tipi in Powys On the southern border of Snowdonia, the 3-tipi campsite is set on the quiet wooded hillside above the party venue and workshops Shelters Unlimited are a ten-minute walk from the Centre for Alternative Technology; near to some of the best cycle tracks in Wales; a 20-minute drive from sandy beaches and 15 minutes from the famous Cader Idris mountain walks. The tipis have been made on-site from local spruce and can be comfortably furnished. Shelters Unlimited also make tipis and Bedouin tents to order. www.tipis.co.uk email:
[email protected] tel: 01654 761720
Tipi in
Pow y s
Deepdale Farm, Norfolk Escape from the smog and rat race of the cities to the beaches and countryside of the beautiful north Norfolk coast Deepdale Farm is an award-winning, eco-friendly holiday site in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. They offer self-catering accommodation, private ensuite rooms, tipis, camping, group hostel, dorm beds – all of which are open Boats at all year. Burnham All the facilities you need are on the doorstep, including a café, information centre, supermarket, shops, walking and hiking, cycling, watersports and kiting. For bookings, visitor information and general enquiries: www.deepdalefarm.co.uk email:
[email protected] tel: 01485 210256 westonbirt
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JAPAN FEATURE
A JAPANESE ADVENTURE
All photos: Simon Toomer
The Tree Team from Westonbirt Arboretum go wild seed collecting
by Mark Ballard, Operations Supervisor, Westonbirt Arboretum JAPAN AT WESTONBIRT Westonbirt has a long association with maples, and particularly Japanese maples which form the backbone of our autumn colour. We hold the National Collection of Japanese Maples with more than 300 different cultivars and we have aspirations to be one of the most comprehensive maple collections in the world. Japan is one of the richest
centres of diversity for maples, with 23 wild taxa (species, sub-species, etc). Although most of these are held in our collection, they are often represented by single accessions or are very old and lack detailed plant records to relate them to their origins. Japan also has a very rich woody flora, including many plants identified in our Accession Policy as important
The Golden Pavillion at Rokuon-Ji Temple in Kyoto. Mark Ballard, Dr Toshiya Yoshida, Dr Yukio Akibayashi and Penny Jones at Daisetsuzan NP. westonbirt
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FEATURE JAPAN
Penny Jones and Dr Hiro Mizunaga inspecting an Acer carpinifolium. Can you tell the difference between Acer pictum (left) and Acer pictum var. mayrii (right)?
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for the scientific, educational and botanical future of the collection. A LONG RIDE NORTH I was accompanied on the trip by Simon Toomer (Curator) and Penny Jones (Propagator). We flew to Tokyo on 23 October 2008, and almost immediately boarded an overnight train to the northern island of Hokkaido. After a 20-hour journey, we were met by our first hosts from Hokkaido University Forests – Dr Toshiya Yoshida of the Field Science Centre for Northern Biosphere and Dr Yukio Akibayashi of the Boreal Forest Conservation Research. After travelling so far, it was a relief to get down to the business in hand and visit the Uryu Experimental Forest and Tree Breeding Station. This mountainous area with mixed forest (175-900 metres altitude)
is classed as a cool temperate zone. The main forestry objective here shifted in 1995 from timber production to research projects, natural forest restoration and landscape management. We spent a great first day getting to grips with the diverse range of trees and shrubs – as well as seed collecting. For anyone who hasn’t experienced it, seed collecting is the scientific version of a treasure hunt. Every now and then someone will shout excitedly that they’ve found something, and everyone else rushes along to see what they’ve got. Depending on the outcome, bags and notebooks may be dragged out and the seed gathered and logged in the collection book. Our hosts were somewhat puzzled by this to begin with, but soon joined in enthusiastically! On that first day we bagged 21 new accessions, including Acer
pictum var. mayrii, Tilia japonica and Magnolia obovata. It soon became apparent that Yukio was a good botanist, and although – like most of our hosts – he was more comfortable with local Japanese, rather than botanical Latin names, his help with plant identification was invaluable. TO THE LIMIT We were up early the next morning for the long trip to Teshio Experimental Forest, the northernmost research site. The region has been influenced by glacial action and comprises low hills ranging from 20580 metres. Strong winds dominate from winter to spring. Our first stop was a riparian forest where we collected seed including Betula maximowicziana and Cercidiphyllum japonicum from a very impressive trackside tree. Luckily Toshiya and Yukio lent us long-handled pruners to reach some of the loftier species. Then you have to find the seed that floats down into the grass! On the third day we travelled to Daisetsuzan National Park, the largest in Japan and known by the indigenous Ainu people as ‘the playground of the gods’. A chain of snow-capped mountains, including active volcanoes, dominates the area. At this altitude we saw the first early signs of autumn colour, known in Japan as Momeji. The spectacular landscape and interesting native plants made for a great day.
KYOTO GARDENS AND TOKYO FORESTS Our whistle-stop tour took us to Kyoto, where we met Jin Kobyashi, a recent arboriculture student at Kew and Westonbirt. We visited wonderful tea gardens, rock gardens, water gardens and Zen gardens, and gained a real insight into their particular components and design styles Thankfully changing transport, we cycled to the Kyoto Botanical Garden, where we brushed-up on our newly acquired local plant knowledge. A bullet train or two later and we reached Ogawa Forest
A zen garden’s neatly raked gravel and carefully positioned stone islands. Dr Masaki with a 500-year-old sugi (Cryptomeria japonica) at a forest temple.
“long-handled pruners came in handy for reaching the loftier species. Then you have to find the seed that floats down into the grass!” westonbirt
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FEATURE JAPAN
Various kinds of plastic and breathable bags are used to keep the humidity about right, and every night everything has to be unpacked to check it’s OK. Fridges intended for cooling saki came in handy for seed storage!
A Kyoto temple garden water feature, enhanced by Simon, Penny and Jin Kobyashi. The famous Shinkansen bullet train.
Thank you Friends! A big thank you goes to the Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum for kindly providing the funding for this expedition. We are also grateful to all of our very generous hosts in Japan.
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Reserve, north of Tokyo, where Dr Masaki of the Forestry & Forest Products Research Institute provided expert guidance for the next three days. Here grows a Pacific-type beech forest, surrounded by secondary deciduous broadleaf forest, sugi (Cryptomeria japonica) plantations and grasslands. Highlights included a night in a traditional house and collecting Acer distylum and Cornus kousa seed, two valuable species. WEST AND BACK AGAIN West across the mountains towards the coast is Mount Naeba Experimental Beech Forest where a natural regeneration project is underway. We collected many seeds here including Acer palmatum subsp. amoenum and Magnolia salicifolia. Like many others during the trip, the evening was spent cleaning, logging and packaging seed. Seed with berries must be cleaned to stop it rotting while dry seed has to be kept from drying out too much!
SOUTH TO MOUNT FUJI Yet more trains took us to a rendezvous with our final hosts – Dr Hiro Mizunaga of the Division of Forest Science at Shizuoka University and his student Mizuki Fujishima. Dr Mizunaga kindly led a field trip to show us the management and ecological rehabilitation of forests at the foot of Mount Fuji. Here the diversity was truly amazing; we counted over 40 different trees and shrubs in no time, including Acer diabolicum and Stewartia monodelpha. We travelled up Mount Fuji and witnessed spectacular views through gaps in the cloud, still 1,000 metres from the summit. On the last leg, we set off with Mizuki for the forests at Nakakawane. They are spectacular – huge dry riverbeds, steep gorges, and dense forest clinging to the mountain sides. Taichi Fujikawa, a local forest officer, led us to the best sites and we found many accessions, including Acer carpinifolium and Acer argutum. In the extreme terrain, we did our best to keep up with Taichi, but suspect that he is half mountain goat! ■
CONTENTS HOLFORDIANA
holfordiana Visit our website: www.fowa.org.uk Telephone: 01666 880148 or call in at the Great Oak Hall
Get involved!
friends of westonbirt arboretum
Contents 54 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Photo: Forestry Commission
Come along and have your say Meet the Trustees and fellow Friends
55 VOTE FOR YOUR TRUSTEES Trustee positions are becoming available soon
56 PROJECT REPORT Where your money has been put to work As a member of Westonbirt Arboretum you are automatically a ‘Friend’. The Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum charity was formed in 1985 to support Westonbirt Arboretum in promoting awareness of the crucial role of trees. Named after Robert Holford (1808-1892) original creator of the arboretum, Holfordiana is where you can read about Trustee activities, membership developments and the work of the volunteers and specialist groups at the arboretum.
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HOLFORDIANA AGM 2009
Annual General Meeting 2009 Notice is hereby given that the 23rd Annual General Meeting of the Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum will be held on Saturday 25 April 2009 at 10.30 am in the Great Oak Hall.
AGENDA 1. Apologies 2. Minutes of 22nd Annual General Meeting to be received and adopted 3. Matters arising from the above minutes 4. Chairman’s Report 2008 5. Report and Accounts 2008 Adoption of Accounts Re-election of Auditors of Friends’ Accounts 6. Election to the Board of Trustees (see opposite) 7. Adoption of Membership Subscriptions for year beginning 1 February 2010. Proposed: Adult £29, Joint Adult £55, Concession £24, Joint Concession £46. (Current: £28, £53, £23, £44.) 8. AOB Coffee will be served.
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Trains, Planes and Japanese Maples 12 noon, Great Oak Hall Mark Ballard, Penny Jones and Simon Toomer will give a talk with slides about their recent wild seed collecting expedition to Japan. (See page 45 for a write-up of their trip.)
PETER BUCKLEY The Charity Trustees were shocked and saddened to hear of the untimely death of Peter Buckley. Peter was a Patron of the Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum as well as President of the RHS and involved with many other committees. Our thoughts and condolences are with his family.
Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum
■
President
Christopher Brickell CBE ■
Patrons
HRH The Duchess of Cornwall Jonathan Dimbleby Henry Elwes Ld.Lt
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Robin Herbert CBE Peregrine Pollen Hon Beth Rothschild Sir Crispin Tickell GCMG, KCVO
■
Vice Presidents
Roger Busby CBE Tom Hall Les Pearce
TRUSTEE ELECTION HOLFORDIANA
Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum TRUSTEE ELECTION T
Would you like to become wj{{U[w c`DZw
w
[email protected]
hree trustees retire annually by rotation. Sue Bradley-Jones and Ron Manuel are seeking re-election. David Evans our Treasurer and Peter Houlton are retiring – we are actively seeking new trustees including one with financial experience. One new nominee, Philip Brown, has come forward. Brief information on the three nominees is given below.
Sue Bradley-Jones
Philip Brown
Background in garden design. Regular visitor to Westonbirt Arboretum for many years. Became a volunteer guide 12 years ago, with a special interest in the history of the arboretum. Now also a guide for the Holford Heritage Tour at Westonbirt School. Became a Board member in 2003 as coordinator of FOWA events. If re-elected, I will continue to be involved in organising these events, and to contribute generally to FOWA’s vital role in conserving and developing this unique site.
With a background in business consultancy and management, I am a relative newcomer to Westonbirt. Living in Bristol I am now a regular visitor and a member. My charity experience includes three years as Operations Director of a music therapy charity where, working with the Trustees, we increased its turnover 34% and moved it into surplus. I have a broad range of Ron Manuel management skills, including Served for approximately 25 years in aircraft financial management, and would industry, both construction and maintenance, be delighted to assist the Friends before becoming Ground Safety Officer with a if they feel my experience would major international airline. prove useful to them. My personal Joined insurance industry as liability belief is that it is vitally important surveyor, with particular expertise in the to keep our open spaces secure aircraft industry, and subsequently trained in liability matters within and to carry on the heritage for the timber and woodworking industries. Retired in 2002. Current our children. interests include voluntary work with Westonbirt Arboretum, the Willow Trust and Macmillan Cancer Support. Awarded Macmillan Chairman’s Medal in 2001 for service to charity.
■ j{{
Jenny Alcock Sue Bradley-Jones Roger Busby CBE (Deputy Chairman) David Evans (Treasurer)
Peter Gobbett Margaret Headen Peter Houlton (Vice Chairman) John Kendall Ron Manuel
Malcolm Potter Hugh Purkess Stephen Segar (Chairman) Karen Thornton Mike Westgate
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HOLFORDIANA FRIENDS PROJECT REPORT
FRIENDS PROJECT REPORT 2008 by Peter Houlton, Chairman of the Projects Committee
O
nce again it gives me great pleasure to report on the Friends’ support of the 2008 projects for Westonbirt Arboretum. We have committed and spent a total of nearly £196,000 this year. Our support to all the major areas has increased – that is: £68,000 to tree-related projects; £90,500 to education (children and adult) and interpretation; and £18,500 to visitor experience enhancement. The details of individual projects can be found in the table. VISITING JAPAN We have supported two separate, and very important, visits this year to Japan – one by Hugh Angus, Head of Collections at Westonbirt, to attend the Maple Symposium; and the other by Simon Toomer, Penny Jones and Mark Ballard to collect seed for the Westonbirt collection (see page 45 in this magazine).
Top right: Silk Wood Barn, without its roof shingles Below: The Tree Team in Japan, ‘capturing’ wild seed.
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BUILDING RESOURCES AT HOME One exciting and very visible project, undertaken during 2008, was the build of Silk Wood Craft Barn. Funding from the Friends totalled £13,700 – but the hard work of the Forestry
Commission staff, volunteers, tutors and students on the week-long course has created a structure of immeasurable value to the arboretum. The barn is a focal point within Silk Wood for many different craft-related courses and educational activities. The building of the barn exemplifies what can be achieved by everyone working for the enhancement of Westonbirt and to benefit visitors of all ages. The barn construction and raising has been shown on BBC’s Countryfile programme, which again enhanced the profile of this wonderful arboretum. TWO MILLION POUNDS! Since the Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum was formed in 1985, we have given over £2 million to projects, and held an appeal that raised £330,000 for the build of the Great Oak Hall. This support has served to improve and enhance Westonbirt for everyone. ■
FRIENDS PROJECT REPORT HOLFORDIANA
“Since 1985, the Friends have given over £2 million to arboretum projects” Table of expenditure for 2008 Title
Heading
£
Student/work experience bursary Tree maintenance work by contractors Woodland contract tree work Friends Volunteer Supervisor Total Trees
Tree Team Tree Team Tree Team Tree Team
18,000 21,000 20,000 9,000 68,000
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Education support programme Library books Education/Interpretation Officer Family events programme Quarterly newsletter and seasonal guide Signage development and maintenance Interpretation development Total Education & Interpretation
Education and Interpretation
7,000 500 25,000 3,000 15,000 20,000 20,000 90,500
12 13 14
Visitor Services items Maintenance of Exploratree Santa experience Total Visit Enhancement
Visitor Services Visitor Services Events
9,000 3,500 6,000 18,500
15 16
Forestry Commission travel bursary Silk Wood Craft Barn
Miscellaneous Education
5,000 13,700
1 2 3 4
Total funds committed in 2008
195,700 westonbirt
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BOOK REVIEWS RHODODENDRONS
Book Reviews
By Graham Dennis, Volunteer, Westonbirt Arboretum Rhododendrons & Azaleas – A Colour Guide By Kenneth Cox; published by The Crowood Press at £29.95, 240 pages
Although the rhododendron genus ranges from trees to small mat-forming shrubs, it has an image problem as a gloomy plant with boring foliage topped by pink-purple flowers, and really only suitable for ‘woodland’ or large gardens. This book helps to dispel such misconceptions. Mr Cox, as plant collector and third-generation nurseryman at Glendoick Gardens, reveals the extraordinary diversity of this immense genus, covering all the temperate species (considered by some as the ‘real thing’) in cultivation, Reader Offer thousands of cultivars and hybrids, and the many subFor a 20% discount, shop online at tropical species now becoming better known in cultivation. www.crowoodpress.co.uk or The descriptive text for each plant is informative, not overtelephone 01672 520320 concise, and is accompanied by photographs of the flowers and quote ‘Westonbirt hinting at their crystalline texture and resulting colour clarity. Magazine’. Cultural issues are dealt with comprehensively, with numerous observations of practical value (even ‘Pests and Diseases’, a tedious read in many books, might engage the reader!) I would like to have seen photographs indicating the plants’ growth habits and general outline, and few would agree that azalea ‘Hinomayo’ has flowers of ‘strong purplish-pink’ – but these are small points. Described as an encyclopaedia, the book appears to be the first thorough survey of the genus within a single volume and it contains much more of real interest. Recommended, not only to keen gardeners who are unfamiliar with these tantalizing plants and want to know more, but also to experienced rhododendron growers who will find good reading here. Hardy Rhododendron Species: A Guide to Identification By J McCullen; published by Timber Press at £35, 496 pages As one of the principal researchers into the rhododendron genus at the Royal Botanical Garden Edinburgh, Mr Cullen has an unrivalled knowledge of these plants, and this is a near-definitive guide to identification of the hardy species in general cultivation. Apart from a discussion of classification of the genus, it does not venture beyond issues of identification so Reader Offer it is, essentially, a technical work. Inclusion Order Hardy Rhododendron of several identification approaches Species for the special price of £28 is valuable, one is sure to work if another fails. The plus free p&p in UK mainland. text is supplemented (though too sparsely) by close-up Quote ref HR409. photographs of the flowers. For most readers, a book only Call Grantham Book Services on 01476 for occasional consultation. 541080 or email
[email protected] Offer expires 29 May 2009.
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ELDERFLOWER BAVAROIS RECIPE
Elderflower Bavarois by Rory Lijertwood, Head Chef at Maples Restaurant, Westonbirt Arboretum Serves 8
INGREDIENTS 3 heads of elderflower 450ml (3/4 pint) full fat milk 4 eggs, separated 125g (4oz) caster sugar 11g (0.4oz) leaf gelatine 150ml (1/4 pint ) double cream
■ Rinse
a 1.5 litre mould with cold water and shake out the excess. Pour the mixture into the mould, smooth down the top and cover with a slightly oiled sheet of greaseproof paper. Leave to set fully in the fridge (about 4-5 hours).
METHOD ■ Bring
the elderflowers and milk slowly to the boil, turn off the heat, cover and leave to infuse for 10 minutes.
■ Meanwhile,
whisk the egg yolks with 3oz (85g) caster sugar until thick, pale and creamy. Soak the gelatine leaves in cold water for at least 5 minutes.
■ To
loosen the mould, dip it into hot water for about 5-10 seconds if metal, and 15-30 seconds if china. Run a knife around the edges and invert on to a serving plate. Give it a firm shake and listen to the satisfying plop as the bavarois drops out onto the plate. If no plop is heard, you may need to repeat the whole process.
Send your own tree-related recipes to
[email protected] and they may appear on this page!
Spring Recipe
■ Boil the milk again, strain through a
fine sieve and pour slowly over the egg yolks, whisking constantly. Place the bowl over a pan of simmering water, and make sure the bowl does not touch the water. Stir until the custard thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, then lift off the heat. One by one, shake the gelatine leaves clear of water and stir into the hot custard. Leave to cool until tepid and beginning to thicken. ■ Whisk the egg whites until soft peaks
are formed. Add the remaining sugar, then whisk until stiff and glossy. Fold into the custard. Leave in the fridge until beginning to set. Whip the cream and fold in. westonbirt
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SPRING THE TREE HOUSE
Spring has Sprung! New life is emerging all around you – buds are forming on the trees, shoots are pushing up through the grass, animals are more active and birds are nest-building! Join in the Westonbirt events below and discover more about spring.
April
Call 01666 880148 or visit our website at www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt-families for further information about events.
ggtas Easter E
enge
tic Chall
l y 10 Apri ggs 6 – Frida that lay e s Monday re tu a e cr e th d a n E ster fi Can you solve our Can you t? ir b n in o k a g at West join in m one can ry ve E ? n le o Centre ridd e Educati Easter afts in th cr r e st n a e ter the E day AND e th t u o h throug w. Prize Dra + 4 s e g A – 4pm on 10.30am r admissi child afte r e p 0 £2.0
Wild Woodland Walks
Tuesday 14 – Friday 17 Apri l With spring in full swing, vent ure out with us and discover the sens ory secrets of Westonbirt. Use your own senses to explore our trail and join in som e crafts. Ages 4+ 10.30am – 4pm, with activity walks at 11am, 1.30pm and 3pm Free after admission
May Survival of the Fittest Tuesday 26 – Thursday 28 May Join our celebration of the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin and 150th anniversary of his book, The Species. Discover the weapons, Origin of Species poisons, chemicals, fireproofing and other incredible tactics that some of Westonbirt’s trees have evolved in order to survive. 10.30 – 4.30pm Great Oak Hall Free after admission
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THE TREE HOUSE SPRING
Follow the Spring Trail G`mcr %KPKSSSBKNAOPNUCKRQG SAOPKJ>ENPB=IEHEAO
Click on ‘Family play and other facilities’ then click on ‘seasonal play booklets’ for a spring booklet full of activity ideas. ■ Click on ‘Family Trails’ for the Who lives at Westonbirt? quiz trail. Other trails and activities will be appearing on the website as spring progresses. ■
WHOSE EGG IS WHOSE?
Can you help these birds find their eggs? Draw a line to join them up and ask a grown-up if you got it right – or ask them to read the answers at the bottom of this page!
Visit the ‘touch tables’ in our Education Centre and gaze through the Bird Room’s viewing window to see birds close up. Open every weekend and during school holidays, and after 3pm Monday-Friday during term time.
!
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The BeeÔs Knees
A buzzing website for all sorts of craft, games and amazing facts. Here’s one: every tomato you eat was pollinated by a busy bee. No bees = no tomatoes = no baked beans. Gasp!
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Answers: Whose egg is whose? A+4 (Robin); B+3 (Goose); C+5 (Mallard); D+1 (Wren); E+2 (Blackbird)
With the fresh growth of spring leaves it can be tricky to spot the animals that make Westonbirt their home – but if you can’t see them, why not don your detective cap and look for the clues they leave behind?
SPRING THE TREE HOUSE
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WESTONBIRT JOINS FACEBOOK
Started on 26 January 2009 by Westonbirt Arboretum, there were 11 people by the end of day one! Join up to see who else is a fan of Westonbirt and share your photographs, videos, thoughts and ideas…
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Well done to everyone who entered the Westonbirt Poster Competition. The judges were so impressed that they chose TWO winners and commended a further THREE! !KJCN=PQH=PEKJO to Yasmin Meddour, aged 7 and to Poppy Williams, aged 4. They each received a camera from Westonbirt School, sponsors of the competition. The commended posters, also shown here, were by Georgina Ashley, Jessica Blacklock and Nathan Conroy-Stoker. All the posters can be viewed at an online gallery, www.westonbirtgalleries.com The online gallery is interactive – you can print off your own poster and upload new artwork or photographs. Give it a try!
commended
Nathan Conroy-Stoker
Jessica Blacklock
commended
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runner-up commended
Georgina Ashley
Poppy Williams
winner
Yasmin Meddour
Print your poster
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SPRING 2009 CONTENTS EVENTS HOLFO
in the next issue SUMMER 2009
Other Hugh Angus reports on the 3rd Maple Symposium © Peter Higginbotham, uncovers a bit of ‘Texas’ © Find out what you can see on a Westonbirt Heritage Tour
August is packed with imaginative activities for children – discover Fabulous Fibres, meet the true tree Ents and have a go at making your own wood products. Alternatively, bring along a picnic and spend a summer’s day exploring the arboretum at leisure. Take time for the Summer Trails and enjoy the freedom of Silk Wood and the formal beauty of the Old Arboretum. Follow the highlights from the WOW! Board outside the Great Oak Hall and make your own trail. Look out for details of the annual Festival of the Tree – yes, still FREE to Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum. You’ll find the summer trail map within the magazine and a unique Friends’ trail as Hugh Angus, Head
of Collections, leads us in Campanula search of patula Robinia species. As the Forestry Commission’s research into climate change continues, find out which of Westonbirt’s valuable species may be at risk in the future – Dr Richard Jinks, Forest Research, explains some of his findings. Forest Gardens – what exactly are they? Where are they? Gail McKenzie sheds light on this intriguing, evolving practice that aims to be biologically sustainable and productive. Rosemary Westgate, Volunteer Guide, reports on one very special wildflower, Campanula patula (pictured above).
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Photo: Mike Westgate
Photos: Forestry Commission
The big events at Westonbirt Arboretum this summer will be the concerts – ticket sales already reflect this year’s Mcf ly popular performers: Paul Weller, Simply Red, Mcfly and Vanessa Mae. Look out for a Friends’ ticket competition in the magazine!
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LAST LEAF Sarah Wilkinson is the first Climate Change Interpretation Officer for Forestry Commission England. Based at Westonbirt, her location reflects well on the arboretum’s increasingly leading role in climate change. Sarah is delighted to be here: ‘Westonbirt is an amazing place to work, and I’m looking forward to seeing it throughout the seasons.’
INTERPRETING CLIMATE CHANGE C
limate change is in the news all the time, but we rarely hear about the important role that forests and trees can have in reducing the impact of climate change, and in helping us adapt to it. My job is to communicate these messages here at Westonbirt – and nationally across the other Forestry Commission sites. IN A NUTSHELL Trees remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it as carbon, making our forests huge carbon reservoirs. Wellmanaged forests and woodlands can provide us with wood that we can use as a product (for example, in construction or
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as fuel) while at the same time absorbing more carbon from the atmosphere through new growth. For example, Silk Wood Barn is a carbon store, locking away carbon until it decomposes. PRACTICAL STEPS AT WESTONBIRT A large part of my role is to develop visitor information about climate change. I began by finding out what our visitor’s perceptions were about climate change – read more on page 21. Over the next few months look out for new climate change information in the seasonal trails, outside the restaurant and in Silk Wood Barn… ■
seasonal
trail map spring
JOIN A FRIEND AT WESTONBIRT GREAT VALUE MEMBERSHIP available NOW lasting up to 31st January 2010. Join on the day you visit and we will deduct £5 (just show us your entry ticket). GIFT MEMBERSHIP also available NOW lasting up to 31st January 2010. Treat your friends and family, and support Westonbirt Arboretum! As a member, you are automatically a Friend of Westonbirt Arboretum (FOWA). The Friends charity supports many projects within the arboretum. A gift of membership allows you to share your passion and make an extra contribution to the tree collections and their environment. © Adult Single £28 © Adult Joint £53 © Children aged 18 or under are FREE (accompanied by an adult member) © Life membership and concessions available
HOW TO JOIN ■ ■ ■
■
Fill in a membership form at the Great Oak Hall (10am – 4pm) Call us on 01666 880148 Download an application form at www.fowa.org.uk Membership also includes FREE admission to many other gardens*, currently including: Batsford Arboretum, Glos © Bedgebury National Pinetum, Kent © Birmingham Botanical Gardens & Glasshouses © Kew at Castle Howard © National Botanic Gardens of Wales © Polly Hill Arboretum, Massachusetts, USA © RHS Harlow Carr, Yorkshire © RHS Hyde Hall, Essex © RHS Rosemoor, Devon © RHS Wisley, Surrey © Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh © Royal Botanical Gardens Kew, Surrey © Royal Botanical Gardens Wakehurst Place, West Sussex. *At the discretion of the owner and subject to review or cancellation.
BENEFITS FREE admission every day until 31st Jan 2010 ■ FREE admission to the Festival of the Tree ■ FREE admission to Kew* ■ FREE admission to RHS gardens* ■ FREE walks and talks ■ FREE quarterly magazine ■ Valuable support for this national tree collection ■ Natural play areas ■ Volunteering ■ Dogs welcome in Silk Wood ■
