Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum

Blog - Tree management

Storms & Sorbus

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.

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The Sound of the Underground

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).

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A Maple Odyssey in Greece

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.

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Countryfile at Westonbirt 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.

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A Summer of Success – in numbers

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.

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Tree of the month: Crab apple

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.

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Identity Parade

Sun, plants, and learning! Last month, we joined a Field Studies Council course to learn how to identify woodland plants. It was a fantastic two days of exploring the beautiful Silk Wood and gaining new knowledge about our local ecosystem.

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Caring Connections

Changes Bristol recently spent a day at Westonbirt Arboretum, nurturing saplings and learning about the vital role forests play in our ecosystem. Discover how this rewarding experience benefitted both their mental well-being and the planet.

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Saplings and Spikes

This Volunteers Week, see how our amazing team helped the saplings thrive at Silk Wood. They tackled the thistles and brambles, making way for easier access and protecting the new trees. Read more about the hard work, the wildlife encounters, and the "poo-dunnit" mystery!...

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Getting our Hands Dirty: A Tree-mendous Day at Westonbirt!

Armed with spades, smiles, and enthusiasm, we joined forces with the amazing Westonbirt staff, united by a shared passion for the environment to plant trees as part of the Silk Wood Community Planting Project.

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Planting Hope, Building Futures: 200 Trees Begin Their Journey

The Silk Wood Community Planting Project is off to a good start in 2024 with local community groups planting the first 200 trees to regenerate a section of Silk Wood at the arboretum.

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Saying Goodbye to a Beloved Beech at Westonbirt Arboretum

Westonbirt Arboretum's enchanting landscape faces a bittersweet change this year as a cherished beech will depart the arboretum this March, but hope blossoms anew.

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Coppicing: A New Shelter

Earlier this year, the Coppice Regeneration Project saw the completion of a purpose-built shelter for the Coppice compound at Westonbirt Arboretum, thanks to funding from The Friends through the continued support of members and donors. Find out more...

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