Small World Arb.

[David Humphries]

Not that our continental neighbours are exactly leagues away, but the following shows the networking power of our very own little (sic) Arbtalk.

 

Having had the occasional interaction with a Belgian Arb & member (Tom Joye)

he asked if he could bring over a study group of Flemish Foresters to see some of the work that we do here at Hampstead Heath & at Burnham Beeches.

 

Tom came over for a reccie in January, then returned with his group over the last couple of days.

 

The group was comprissed of Park & Forest mangers and consultants.

 

Even after having to endure the seven hour journey & an afternoon deluge, the feeling was that the group were presented with a very useful & interestingly diverse couple of sites, that gave them much to consider in terms of land use, access, history, funding and ecology.

 

After a good evening of food & wine & (even though having spent a couple of summers in the french part of the country) improving my knowledge of the flemmish and their interesting country, I gave a short power point on the Col/Atf field trip to the Basque & swapped ideas and photos of Arb related issues like airspading, decay detection, rigging equipment failure etc.....

 

 

A big thanks to Helen Read who is a master of walk-talks, and also to Tom who fed & payed for my accomodation whilst overnighting with the group at Beaconsfield

 

Tom may bring a group of Climbers next time, so possibly will connect site visits with one of the trade events.

 

A fine exchange of Chocolates, Belgian Ale & Wild service seedlings from HH has left a good base for future relationships with our near continental Arboricultural brothers & sisters.

And an invitation to go to Brussels to see Europes tallest Beeches will no doubt be an offer I will chase up.

 

Well done Arbtalk

 

 

First three shots are from Toms Reccie

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[josharb87]

now THAT is networking!

 

nice one david and mr joye

[Stephen Blair]

well done guys

[David Humphries]

A year on & the Anglo-Belgian tie is still alive and kicking.

 

Hosted another visit today, this time from a 20 strong group of Greenlandscape students & there lecturers.

They're here in London for 5 days taking in Kew, the Royal Parks, the City gardens & squares & us up at HH.

 

Showed them around the manor highlighting various safety & ecological Tree issues.

 

Talked around decompaction, moving targets, mycorrhyza, fractures, decay fungi, monoliths, habitat etc......

 

A very engaging group with a whole heap of questions

 

 

Just need to get a link with a bunch of Swedish collegiate young ladies now.

 

 

Wonder who I could use as a go between

 

 

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[slack ma girdle]

Looks a fine jolly

[Xerxses]

Wel... it aint a bad site AND I´m on it. Just a bit overbusy at the moment....

[David Humphries]

Looks a fine jolly

 

Twas indeed.

 

I enjoyed the chance to showcase our work & I think they all learned a few new things

 

 

 

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[Peter]

Did you ever get to visit Europes tallest beeches? I quite fancy that, as long as I can climb them!

[David Humphries]

Did you ever get to visit Europes tallest beeches? I quite fancy that, as long as I can climb them!

 

Not yet, but it's on the list

 

 

 

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[janey]

Are there any plans afoot for a trip over there for you, Monkey? All in the name of international bonding, of course, and nowt to do with a jolly