Every Tree Tells A Story

look: I am still alive –
in fact, in bud.

The Wishing Tree: Kathleen Jamie

Come gather round. We’re inviting a small group of pioneers for a first storytelling event among the trees of Pond Cottage. On Saturday 25 May Dr James Bonner of Strathclyde University will introduce an inspiring project connecting trees, people and places.

This is a new venture for us. We’re hoping to develop creative community collaborations as part of our annual programme of events with Scotland’s Gardens Scheme supporting the wonderful work of Children’s Hospices Across Scotland.

I first heard about Every Tree on the Local Zero podcast in February. The title caught my attention as I was ironing (it was a cold night) and I soon became hooked. James Bonner, a research associate at the University of Strathclyde, joined hosts Matt Hannon and Becky Ford to talk about an intriguing collaborative project, a beautifully simple idea based on the understanding that storytelling is the best way to engage and connect people. Trees are a vital part of our natural environment, they support great teeming populations of wildlife, they lift our spirits, they help to combat climate change. If only we let them flourish.

But stories reach hearts and minds more effectively than facts and figures. James spoke about the emotional bonds people form with trees. The sense of personal loss we feel when a tree dies.

It struck a chord. Storm Isha had just cut our tallest larch in two dumping a cruel mess of branches on the lawn. I was surprised how much that hurt. (We had planted and nurtured our shelter belt trees almost 30 years ago). I contacted James Bonner through the University of Strathclyde website and to my surprise he responded quickly. With great generosity, he is giving time to come and share what the Every Tree team has learned on walks, talks, workshops and cycle rides round Glasgow.

Trees as Family and Friends

Trees as Family and Friends: Special trees and woodlands act as focal points for families and friends to deepen and strengthen relationships, across generations and locations.

Every Tree Tells A Story

It’s a remarkable project that has grown from a collaboration of academics, local authority professionals, and creative practitioners. And although it begins in Glasgow – from the autumn of 2022 to the end of summer 2023 Strathclyde Business School partners gathered tree stories on postcards from Glaswegians of all ages – Every Tree could, should, spread anywhere and everywhere.

As you can see from the Every Tree website, the postcards record the environmental value of trees, their carbon-capturing shade and shelter. But they also reveal deeply personal human bonds. Tree stories say a great deal about people.

Four key themes emerge from the research findings. My eye is drawn to the second theme but each one has meaning for healthy, sustainable communities.

• Trees are home and habitat for humans as well as many other species
• Special trees and woodlands are a focal point for family and friends connecting people and places across generations;
• Trees are a natural source of knowledge and learning, teaching us how to live well with people, place and planet;
• The treescape is a place of limitless joy and beauty.

What is our story?

Our pilot event at Pond Cottage hopes to make connections that will spread the message of a project that lifts the gloom and offers a sense of purpose. “Action inspires hope” as Local Zero’s Becky Ford put it.

If the weather is kind on 25 May we can explore and share stories with a woodland walk and talk meeting trees with stories to tell – stories involving people, birds, bees, bats, deer, red squirrels and other wildlife.

There’s Mother Beech, maybe 200 years old, with healthy offspring at her feet, the Bat Hotel in the dead ash tree invites new life and the larch is sprouting fresh green growth on wounded limbs., Here’s the happy old yew treehouse built by our grandchildren and at the top of the mighty scots pine there’s the wifi dish delivering this story to you.

And your story? Is there a tree in your life that holds a special place for you or your family? We’re looking forward to a gathering of people with different skills and experiences bringing a mix of environmental and social interests. If there’s enough interest there will be more in the autumn.

We’re always delighted to see visitors. The Pond Garden is open by arrangement through Scotland’s Gardens Scheme, supporting the work of CHAS (Children’s Hospices Across Scotland) which also has a beautiful garden at Rachel House hospice in Kinross.