...on a tree. What will I do when autumn comes around?”
Such a simple but powerful quote. And there's an inspirational story behind it: saving, protecting, cherishing and respecting trees has very much been the focus in Bristol this month with members of the LANCE Trust keen to show their support for an inspiring campaign - #NoticeThisTree.
The campaign Notice This Tree was formed by a group of people who were involved in the campaign to save The Happy Man Tree in Hackney, London. Through film, art and other creative activities, their intention is to draw attention to the on-going erosion of nature despite commitments to the contrary from successive governments.
In collaboration with local people who are similarly concerned – or just curious – the NoticeThisTree group jointly curates events around screenings of the documentary film, The Happy Man. Activities include walking from trees to the cinema, participatory art projects including work to the ever-evolving Mycelial Mundus Tapestry (more on this below) and performance art such as a Roll-Call of trees that have been lost or are under threat.
So far, official events ('interventions') have been held in London, Nottingham, Plymouth and Brighton, and it was the turn of Bristol on 15th September 2024.
But which tree should the Trust highlight? The choice is difficult, but one member of the LANCE Trust decided to draw attention to magnificent, veteran oak on Yewtree Farm threatened by Bristol City Council’s crematorium expansion.
The Trust is a long-time admirer of the impressive hedges, veteran trees, wildlife-friendly meadows and a host of wildlife that we’ve watched being nurtured on the farm under Catherine Wither’s careful stewardship. So, like many others, we’re alarmed that Bristol City Council isn’t more supportive of her and the farm. It is a unique place – it’s been described as a mini-Knepp* right on Bristol’s doorstep and, of course, adjacent to Long Ashton so it acts as a reservoir for life to spill out and into our parish too.
The Bristol Intervention involved a magnificent but sombre roll-call of veteran trees cherished by many that are scheduled for destruction alongside the offer of adding words and pictures to the 'Mycelial Mundus tapestry'.
The tapestry is an artistic interpretation of the Wood Wide Web, the vast fungal network that allows plants to distribute resources – sugar, nitrogen and phosphorus between one another. Myclelium is the network of fine white filaments associated with fungus and Mundus is Latin for both world and elegant, decorated and adorned.
The amazing artwork has travelled the country and will make an appearance at the next intervention in another city but, for now, it was a highlight of our week.
More about Bristol trees can be found on Bristol Tree Forum a fount of knowledge, expertise and passion.
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* Knepp is a trailblazing 3,500 acre rewilding project that has changed the way we think about nature and how we can heal our planet.
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