The annual event a huge celebration of the outdoor environment, those that work with trees (arborists), and recognition of a hugely important global industry.
Related story: Final planting of trees marks completion of Myerscough’s King’s Drive
The day featured a series of guest lectures by a range of arboriculture professionals to invited guests and greenspace learners from across Myerscough’s campuses, in addition to opportunities to network with various industry colleagues who were present.
The day also saw an official tree planting event at the centre of the college’s Bilsborrow campus to mark the occasion, where special guest Russell Horsey MICFor was invited to plant a Magnolia acuminata ‘Blue Opal’ outside Myerscough’s National Centre for Arboriculture.
The tree itself is unusual in that the flower buds of this Magnolia are blue, like lanterns, before opening. It is an American tree, often referred to as a ‘cucumber tree’, because the fruit look like mini-cucumbers – and it is rare in the UK – especially the ‘Blue Opal’ cultivar, which was sourced from Burncoose Nurseries.
The day featured a number of VIP guests, including John Parker (Arboriculture Association), Paul Nolan (Mersey Forest), Mark and Kay Hogg (Mere Plantations), Stephen Lowe (BBC Radio Lancashire and Senior Arborist at Network Rail), Russell Horsey, Sharon Durdant-Hollamby (Institute of Chartered Foresters), Brigadier Peter Rafferty MBE DL & wife Joanne (Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire), Keith Jones (Forestry Commission), Philippa Williamson (Leader of Lancashire County Council), Henk Gerrtsema (ACIM Country Land and Business Association), Catherine Nuttgens guest speaker, and County Councillor Shaun Turner.
