International Dendrology Society trip - day one

Raef Johnson was awarded a bursary to join a two week trip to Georgia with the International Dendrology Society. Dendrology is the study of the natural history of trees and woody plants.

The society aims to bring together dendrologists from around the world to promote the study and enjoyment of trees and to conserve rare and endangered plant species.

We are currently in an Elvis-appreciation American style diner. It's not exactly sampling local culture but I am making the most of their wifi connection!

We awoke to a most interesting breakfast of bread, banana, orange, tomato, goats cheese, raw plums and then a choice of Swiss roll or what looked like chicken curry and bulgar wheat. It's now 11:20 am and about 35 degrees celcius, with a night temperature of around 28/29.

In the little time I have spent in the Georgian capital Tbilisi so far, three things have dominated the views; trees, churches and Ladas. Almost every street is tree lined, providing much needed shade for locals and tourists alike.

The dominant street tree is the plane, much like many a European city. But both xhispanica and orientalis are to be seen in Tbilisi.

In addition, there are a good number of cedar (Cedrus libani), olive, juniper and Italian cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) and even Paulownia, Broussonetia papyrifera, Liquidambar orientalis and Morus nigra.

We are heading to the Lagodekhi reserve on Friday, up high in the greater Caucasus mountains near the Azerbaijan border. I caught a glimpse of the snow topped peaks from the plane and I can't wait.