Woodlands.co.uk

Festival of the Tree 2008, Westonbirt Arboretum

Festival of the Tree 2008, Westonbirt Arboretum

Once again it was a pleasure to meet everyone who called in at the Woodlands.co.uk  stand at Westonbirt over the August Bank Holiday weekend. Our stand, ably organised by Dick White, was a focal point for discussion, be it:  How much woodland does it take to heat a house? Can you help to identify the tree growing in my garden? What trees shall I plant in the land I’ve just bought? or I’ve seen your sign and I didn’t know you could buy a woodland, tell me about it… It was also good to catch up with some of our past purchasers and meet other woodland owners. They were all more than willing to pass on their enthusiasm and knowledge to those contemplating taking the plunge into woodland ownership. 
 
The theme of the Festival of the Tree at Westonbirt is woodcraft, and the events and activities show how timber in its many forms can be used. From planking using mobile saw mills, rough-hewn sculpture carved with a chainsaw, lots of wood turning, and everything from hand-carving to fine cabinet making and joinery by professional and amateur makers there was something for everyone. 
 

The festival makes use of fallen, dead and damaged timber from the Arboretum. The popular “Sculptree” event transforms tree trunks into massive sculptures - this year including a surfer’s dream wave and a blue tit’s dream milk bottle (3 metres high!) – and you can even purchase your own lump of Westonbirt to take home and practice your woodworking skills on.


 Westonbirt is the Forestry Commission’s National Arboretum and it’s well worthwhile setting aside time to have a look around while visiting the festival.  It is home to an internationally important collection of trees and shrubs, with nearly 16,000 specimens, set in 600 acres of beautiful, landscaped grounds.  It also holds a world-renowned collection of Japanese maples – spectacular in the autumn.
 

Our next woodfair is The Weald Woodfair, Bentley Wildfowl & Motor Museum - 12th, 13th and 14th September 2008.  We look forward to seeing you there!


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Discussion

Hi David

Take a look at our Small Woodland Owners group too , you can ask your questions there as well
owning a wood is fabulous!

Tracy

http://www.woodlands.co.uk/swog

Tracy Pepler

11 September, 2008

Hi Dave

There is lots of info in the Buying a Wood and Owning a Wood sections in this site. Just click on the tabs the top of this page. Or visit us at the next wood fair in your area.

catherine

4 September, 2008

hi,i live in preesall -northwest england,
i have been intereseted in buyingb woodland for a while,breifly can you tell me all the finacial advantages and all financial disadvantages arround owning woodland and any grants and what for,i would love to buy mainly for country activities such as camping/(would we be allowed caravan on site?).dog walking/wildlife watching etc,
also whats the possibility of managing trees for house wood for burning?.where can i get answers like these,i do have a lot to get to know before i do this.any help/ewebsites /contacts etc would be great.thanks dave

david

2 September, 2008

So, how much woodland do you need to heat a house? I get asked that a lot! Do we have any kind of statistics that anyone could help with? If it was coppice for example, would 3 acres be enough? We would love to know, as would all the people who ask me!

Tracy

Tracy Pepler

29 August, 2008