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Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum

Blog - Education & Learning

Trees and Traditions: Oak and Midsummer

As summer arrives, June brings longer days and fully leafed woodland canopies. One tree particularly associated with this time of year is the oak, a symbol of strength and longevity.

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Celebrating the Silk Wood Community Planting Project

After three years of planting, learning, caring and growing together, the Silk Wood Community Planting Project at Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, has reached an important milestone.

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Growing a community

The Silk Wood Community Planting Project has always been about more than simply planting trees. At its heart, the project is about people, partnership, and creating opportunities for everyone to connect with nature in meaningful ways.

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Trees and Traditions: Hawthorn, May Day, and dawn chorus

As spring moves towards early summer, May brings a noticeable shift across the landscape. Hedgerows thicken, and woodland canopies begin to close. Hawthorn becomes one of the most recognisable trees at this time of year, covering roadsides and field boundaries with dense white blossom.

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Digging deeper: Exploring soil biodiversity through environmental DNA

Find out how Westonbirt is working with NatureMetrics to uncover the invisible life within the soil using eDNA?...

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Have you experienced spring at Westonbirt yet?

This is your one stop to discover everything you won’t want to miss at Westonbirt this April…...

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Trees and Traditions: Budburst, bluebells and cuckoo calls

Spring is gathering pace as Westonbirt shifts into a vibrant phase with longer days and warmer temperatures.

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Tree Traditions: Wassailing

A new blog series looking at cultural traditions and folklore surrounding trees and woodlands.

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Tree of the Month: Common Hornbeam

UK native tree species in the Silk Wood Community Planting Project – this month is the Common Hornbeam...

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What's on in January

See what's on and make a resolution to make the most of your Membership this new year!...

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Connecting Carers with Nature: How Your Support Makes a Difference

Thanks to Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum (FOWA) members, we were able to help fund transport for a very special wellbeing day at Westonbirt Arboretum.

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Growing Wellbeing Through Nature: Our Journey with Swindon Mind

At the Silkwood Community Planting Project, groups come together to volunteer their time, planting and caring for trees. Swindon Mind, has become frequent visitors to the project, spending time in nature to promote mental wellbeing.

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Tree of the Month: Sweet Chestnut

Each month we’re bringing you a profile of one of the UK’s native tree species in the Silk Wood Community Planting Project – this month it’s the Sweet Chestnut (Castanea sativa).

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Nest Planting: A Fresh Approach for the Final Tree Planting Season

The Silk Wood Community Planting Project Team (SWCPPT) introduce a new technique that will shape the way they plant trees and create resilient woodlands.

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Tree of the Month: Wild Service Tree

This month’s native tree is the Wild Service Tree (Sorbus torminalis), an indicator of ancient woodlands and one of the UK’s rarest natives.

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