The Arborealists – Ancient Trees

Nature in Art, Twigworth, Gloucester GL2 9PA 10th Sept – 13th Oct

We live in a belt of mixed woodland, both public and private, on the north Dorset border, which contains fine examples of veteran and ancient oak. The tree I have depicted for this exhibition is no more. It fell during Storm Eunice on 18th February 2022, which set a new record for the fastest wind gust recorded in England (122 mph). To witness the exact moment of the end of a 400 year-old tree, at the mercy of such energy, was surreal, shocking and bewildering.

The tree stood just a few yards from home, and we feel the loss of this friend daily.

Having already made work about two of Dorset’s most famous ancient trees – the Silton Oak (Wyndham’s Oak), near Gillingham, and the Martyr’s Tree at Tolpuddle – I wanted to work with another Dorset tree that captured the essence of it’s ancient companions, something with a character and presence.

The Witness Oak was on it’s way to ancient status, with neighbouring park and woodland oaks rich in variety, form and shape, including one just a few yards from home which has been estimated to be at least 500 years old. There is also a much older ‘big belly’ oak in Sherborne Park Camp, which is certainly ancient judging by its girth and form. Studying these species on daily walks, I have become more aware of some of the challenges facing these majestic lifeforms including pressure from land use, disease and climate change. We confer special status on ancient trees but in this new work I wanted to convey a sense of what is inherently special or unique in all lifeforms.

Thanks to people like Julian Hight and George Peterken, I have become increasingly interested in different aspects of tree ecology, folklore and land management; this, in turn, now has an effect on my own practice. I wanted to use my involvement in this project to acknowledge the fragile resource of our remaining ancient trees. Will the effects of human activity and events such as increased storms lead to more trees not making it to their ancient years?