Keeping an eye on our environment
Whilst Westonbirt is famous the world over for its autumn colours, late spring and early summer are arguably even more vibrant with carpets of bluebells and other wildflowers in Silk Wood, and the wide variety of rhododendrons in the historic collection in the Old Arboretum.
And for the more energetic amongst you, the Westonbirt 10K allows you the opportunity to take in all these sights whilst running past champion trees and rare specimens. Go to our website to find out more!
Thank you to all of you who wrote in commenting on the poly-wrap that your Westonbirt Magazine is delivered in, prompted in no small part by Andrew Smith’s article in the spring issue. We are all becoming more aware of the products we use and our impact on the environment. The poly-wrap used to mail our magazine is and always has been, in fact, recyclable plastic. Whilst many kerbside recycling schemes don’t collect this sort of plastic, I have found that most supermarkets have facilities to recycle poly-wrap of this type (along with old carrier bags, the plastic bags that loaves of bread are sold in and even the plastic wrapping from toilet tissue and multipacks of tins and cans). We have taken on board your feedback and are looking into alternatives that are cost effective as well as sustainable.
"The poly-wrap used to mail our magazine is and always has been, in fact, recyclable plastic."
If you are keen to learn more about Westonbirt and its unique collection, then I recommend joining one of our guided walks (March–October). Whether you have recently joined us or have been a Friend for many years, the knowledgeable and passionate volunteer guides always have something new to share with visitors. Guided walks are free and take place daily at 11am; ask at the Welcome Building for further details.
From 1 July we will be reinforcing our card policy. We are doing this to protect our membership scheme and ensure it can remain good value and support the arboretum. Please see page 46 for details.
As many of you will have seen, the bad weather this winter took its toll on the arboretum. Whilst children were enjoying sledging and snow days, Westonbirt’s dedicated Tree Team was left counting the cost of the heavy snow and winds. Sadly, several important specimens have been lost, including some that provided important links to our heritage. However, sad though these losses are, they have provided space and opportunity for new acquisitions to the collection.
This season the Tree Team has already planted nearly 300 new trees, including new additions to our national maple collection which were grown from seed collected by the team on a trip to Italy in late 2016, which was supported by the Friends. Twelve months from germination to planting is something of a record, even for Westonbirt’s experts!
See if you can spot some of our new trees when you are next here.
