Text for tree information panels

[stevelucocq]

Hello,

 

Sorry been off the radar for a while due to a number of different reasons.

 

I have been asked for some text to be used on information panels to be installed at a local nature reserve for the following trees:

 

Taxus baccata (Yew)

Cryptomeria japonica (Japanese Red Cedar)

Araucaria araucana (Monkey Puzzle)

Pinus nigra 'maritima' (Corsican Pine)

Sequoia sempervirens (Coast Redwood)

Pinus sylvestris (Scots Pine)

Quercus robur (Common Oak)

Cedrus libani atlantica (Atlantic Cedar)

Sequoiadendron giganteum (Wellingtonia)

 

If anyone has done something similar and can send me their text, images (drawing of tree etc) or even the complete graphical copy of the information board then I would be most grateful:001_smile:! I have started to look at this but trying to get the balance right for the public is something I am struggling with. email [email protected]

 

Many thanks

[AA Teccie (Paul)]

Mitchell's "TREES of Britain and Northern Europe", or similar, gives a nice little summary of tree species.

 

Perhaps base something on that.

 

Good luck..

Paul

[stevelucocq]

Mitchell's "TREES of Britain and Northern Europe", or similar, gives a nice little summary of tree species.

 

Perhaps base something on that.

 

Good luck..

Paul

 

Thanks paul:thumbup1:

[Adam M]

Try and make it so it doesn't read like a trade catalogue. Keep it short and interesting. What type of visitors does the reserve get? Find an interesting fact about each tree. Imagine being 10 years old and being made to read it. Or being 70 and trying to find it interesting.

[woodyguy]

This sort of writing is really skilfull to get just right. As you say it can come over didactic and boring. I often find splitting it into some factual text to supply the interested adult and a text box with an exciting little story/fact in it for the child/short attention span adult, works well. I write this sort of thing for my wood and seldom get it just right. Pictures help. Good idea to plagiarise!!

[stevelucocq]

thanks all for the replies. I must have spent too long writing techy arb reports because i was having a bit of writers block on this one. I have found a few interesting facts to include such as :

 

giant redwood seeds require fire to germinate (fire induced serotiny)

 

Monkey Puzzle was apparently named as the first person to plant this species in Britain stated ‘it would puzzle a monkey to climb to the top of that

[woodyguy]

How about redwoods being one of the few conifers that regenerate/coppice when cut down.

The first monkey puzzle tree seeds were bought to this country having been secretely pocketed when served at a meal in Chile.