A lot is happening locally in the world of trees over the coming weeks.

Next Saturday, December 9, Sidmouth Arboretum's annual Celebration of Trees kicks off with a free tree giveaway, followed by a day full of free family events, all hosted at Kennaway House, from 11am to about 4pm.

There will be three Christmas trees to dress, as well as talks and demos, music and song, quizzes and exhibitions, and food and drink. There will also be free demonstrations of different sorts of wood crafts, with wooden pieces on show and for sale.

The Arboretum is also putting on two tree-planting sessions in December, as this is the season for putting in trees. Some trees have already been planted at Long Park, Sidmouth Golf Course, Stowford and Sidford Food Forest. More should be going in on Sunday, December 3 at Farway Common Airfield to create a wildlife hedge alongside the airfield’s species-rich grassland. There will be another session on Friday, December 15 at Stoney Orchard. For more details of times and locations, email info@sidmoutharboretum.org.uk

Looking ahead to the New Year, the Arboretum is looking to repeat its 2014 survey of trees across the Sid Valley.

Jon Ball, Arboretum chair, said: “Completing the survey for a second time will provide valuable information about how the tree canopy has changed, which will help shape the Arboretum's five-year plan to plant 14,000 trees by 2027.” 

For more information about the 2024 survey and Sidmouth Arboretum's programme for the coming months, visit its stand at the Celebration of Trees on December 9 at Kennaway House.