We will be visiting the Norbury Park Estate to view Jo Bradwell’s approach to planting and management, in particular his approach to intimate mixes in planting and management, which is designed to promote resilience and growth.  This is relevant to anyone who is considering the future of their woodlands. Jo has developed his approach with a view to creating woodlands that will be more sustainable and resistant to the impacts of climate change, pests and disease -  approaches he has described in his book, which was reviewed by Professor Rob Mackenzie in the winter 2023 magazine.

Professor Rob Mackenize will also be with us, particularly for the second part of the visit, when he will lead us around the FACE (Free Air Carbon Enrichment) research facility, which is led by the University of Birmingham Institute of Forest Research (BIFoR) where he is director.  The first of its kind in Europe, this facility is looking at how trees and the woodland environment change at the sort of higher carbon dioxide concentrations which we can expect from 2050 onwards.  The research area is fascinating, involving huge frameworks erected in the trees so that the CO2 can be injected directly into the canopy, where it is most likely to be absorbed by the trees.  

Programme

10:30 - 11:00 Arrival at BIFoR FACE / comfort break / travel to Long Barn (Norbury Park)

11:00-1130 Introduction to estate from Jo Bradwell

11:30 - 12:30 Tour of Norbury Park – mixed planting, halo pollarding, and other innovative schemes

12:30-13:30 Lunch at Long Barn (please bring your own packed lunch)

13:30-14:45 Tour of FACE

14:45-15:00 Wrap up and departure from BIFoR FACE

This is a very special opportunity for SWA members and places are understandably limited, early booking is recommended!

Photo credit: Dan Dimmock on Unsplash