The UK’s Biggest Arboriculture Conference Returns

Previewing the 55th National Amenity Conference:
What is a Tree?

4-7 September 2022

Loughborough University, LEICESTERSHIRE

Early Bird Discount Extended until 15 August 2022

After 2 years the UK’s longest running, internationally recognised, arboriculture conference is back with a new venue and one of the most exciting programmes of speakers in its history.

The title of the 55th National Amenity Arboriculture Conference is ‘What is a tree?’ and will be explore the tree both as part of a wider ecosystem and as an ecosystem in its own right. For too long, urban and amenity trees were often viewed as existing in isolation – each an individual tree, perceived and managed as an individual unit. Over time we have come to appreciate that this is not the case.

New venue and format

The Arboricultural Association has curated a world class line up of 21 speakers from around the globe who will explore this fundamental question, through a wide range of sessions presenting ground-breaking innovations and research that will change our thinking. New for this year are a series of special interactive workshop sessions, led by our speakers to bring you closer to the themes at the heart of the conference. These sessions, taking place each afternoon, will offer a refreshing change of pace to traditional conference formats and themes covered will include: Producing a tree strategy, tree ecology, green equity, tree protection around the world, tree morphology and tree planting targets.

Sunday Field Trip with a legend of arboriculture

For the first time the Sunday conference field trip takes the form of one of our most popular series of events in recent years, the Thinking Arbs Day with Ted Green. The spectacular Calke Abbey National Trust Estate provides the perfect setting for an exciting day of tree discussion with the living legend himself.

After a cancelled event in 2020 and our first online conference in 2021, we’ll be celebrating the return to an in-person conference with plenty of social events and opportunities to catch up with old friends and colleagues, and make new connections.

Survivor Tree story one of many highlights

Among the dozens of highly anticipated speakers is Texas based arboricultural consultant Mark Bays, who will bring us what promises to be both a moving and enlightening presentation on the ‘Survivor Tree’. The native American elm stands at the highest point on the grounds of the Oklahoma City National Memorial, which honours the victims of the senseless act of violence that struck at the heart of the city 25 years ago. The elm has come to represent hope and healing and stands strong as a symbol for all to reflect upon, remembering those lives lost to the bombing and honouring their memories. Mark and others worked closely with the designers, engineers and construction crews in all aspects of the construction relating to the Survivor Tree and many innovative designs were considered and implemented.

“I have worked on many construction projects but the feeling here was different.

Bays said.

“Everybody knew it was much more than any one of us and everyone worked together in a spirit dignity and respect”.

The special story of the recovery of the Survivor Tree, and its ongoing care that began in 1996, is one of many sessions at the conference that will leave a lasting lesson and perhaps change our definition of what a tree can mean to us.

Timetable

All prices shown above exclude VAT.

BOOK NOW

You can view the full conference programme and book at www.trees.org.uk/conference22