Blog - Education

Winter storms took their toll, but our volunteers stepped up! Discover how we rallied together to repair the damage and ensure the survival of young trees at our planting site in our latest update.

9,000 trees will be planted in Silk Wood over the next two years, thanks to an incredible grant from the Julia Rausing Trust.

Eco-acoustics, or acoustic ecology, is the study of sound in the environment – including human generated noise (anthrophony), sounds generated by nature (biophony), or even sounds of the earth such as wind, waves, and geological movements (geophony).

This autumn, along with the arboretum providing a riot of stunning autumn colour to enjoy, there was also a range of exciting activities on offer for visitors and families to experience, exploring how Westonbirt cares for trees.

Each month we’re going to bring you a profile of one of the UK native tree species being planted in the Silk Wood Community Planting Project. It wouldn’t be December without mentioning our most festive tree – the holly.

Ever wondered where the seeds for our stunning trees come from? Join us on a thrilling journey to the Mediterranean, as we delve into the latest seed collecting expedition undertaken by the experts at Westonbirt Arboretum.

If ever there was a demonstration of the value of intergenerational storytelling, it was our day shared with The Friendship Café watching the second in their trilogy of community films. Pioneering Glimpses tells the story of the Muslim Community in Gloucester, with its gentle biographical style exploring the history of faith in the city.

As the festivities really start to ramp up, Westonbirt moves into winter mode; an exciting new season with plenty to enjoy, as the leafless deciduous trees offer new avenues of interest and vistas too. Winter is a time for resting and renewal and although (some) trees may be bare, there’s a plethora of activity still happening in the arboretum.

If your Sunday evening viewing has you captivated by the awesome autumn beauty and historic heritage of The National Arboretum, you’re not alone. The awe-inspiring collection of Japanese Acers, Oak trees, and Whitebeams are world-famous, transforming the landscape in a dazzling array of yellow, orange, and crimson hues in autumn.

Each month we’re going to bring you a profile of one of the UK native tree species being planted in the Silk Wood Community Planting Project. For November, it’s the alder buckthorn.

With the crisp autumn air and shorter days upon us, let’s revisit the warmer, albeit wetter, months of the Silk Wood Community Planting Project.

For only £30, Young Person Membership with the Friends of Westonbirt Arboretumis designed to help young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 access nature, boost wellbeing, and support endangered tree species.

Each month we’re going to bring you a profile of one of the UK native tree species being planted in the Silk Wood Community Planting Project – this October it's crab apple.

Autumn is here, which means it’s the start of the season of fruiting and fading, where berries abound, leaves blaze, and the sun looks glorious! It's also the start of seed gathering season, where arboretum collections are expanded internationally through dedicated seed gathering trips.

We've been incredibly fortunate to have Mother Nature as a dedicated volunteer. She's not only helped us plant over 30 trees (that we know of) but has also provided invaluable care and nourishment for our green spaces. And the best part? She works completely for free!...