Women in Arboriculture Networking Day
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Wednesday 29 March 2023
Sponsored by
Fully Booked
We’re pleased to announce that booking is now open and thanks to our sponsors Ego, Lantra and Pfanner we are able to make the inaugural Women in Arboriculture Group event FREE for all delegates.
Thanks also to our hosts at Kew and its Head of Tree Collections and Arboriculture Kevin Martin, who has kindly offered the world-leading botanic garden as the setting for the day. Already confirmed on the programme is Italian arborist Stefania Gasperini, who has featured at several international conferences in recent years, as well as two outdoor afternoon workshops taking in parts of the Kew arboretum.
Women in Arboriculture Group Chair Mandy Maynard said:
“It is such a pleasure to finally be able to shout about this event at Kew Gardens after a 3-year delay! This event is now bigger and fuller so truly worth the wait. It’s amazing how much support we’ve received from like-minded people and companies who just want to celebrate inclusivity. See you all soon!”
The main aim of the event is to provide an opportunity for the growing women in arboriculture community to share experiences, ideas, projects and to spark further initiatives which hope to encourage greater diversity within the sector.
Registration will open at 9:30am with the Event starting at 10:00am and finishing at 4.00pm.
Full Timetables and more information will follow soon. The capacity is limited so please book early.
Speaker Session and Tree Walks Confirmed
Stefania Gasperini
Speaker Session: Morphophysiology and the ethical approach to veteran trees
Afternoon Tree Walks
Kew Tour with ‘The Tree Gang’
Cecily Withall
Kew Arboriculture Team
Cecily is part of Kew’s ‘Tree Gang’, a team of seven arborists (including two apprentices) who manage over 12,000 trees at Kew Gardens in London.
Tree morphology walking tour
Dr. Stefania Gasperini
Agronomist, Arborist and owner of AR.ES
Dr. Giovanni Morelli
Agronomist and Arborist and owner of Progetto Verde
Stefania and Giovanni will lead a walk featuring analysis of the architecture and morphophysiology of some trees in the Kew arboretum. Looking at different stages of development, especially in relation to different botanical species and genera. They’ll also discuss correct pruning techniques, which must be different according to the tree's stage of development. Specific attention will be paid to the morphophysiological and stability characteristics of veteran trees.
Morphophysiology and the ethical approach to veteran trees
Human beings relationship to nature has changed in the short turn of a few thousand years. In the past, direct dependence on the environment, whether more or less "wild" (hunting/harvesting) or "domesticated" (breeding/agriculture), required knowledge based on the understanding of rules and needs which, even if modified, govern the life of both plants and animals. Of this today very little remains; deprived of daily relevance, such knowledge and skills are now lost or in fact relegated to a residual folkloric marginality. From a cultural point of view, however, it is a process dominated by anthropocentrism. For centuries man has placed himself at the centre of creation; the animal and plant worlds, considered intrinsically "inferior" were therefore subservient to the well-being of humanity.
More recently, tree conservation is justified through ecosystem services. These services, however, are translated into a universal language through their monetisation; the maintenance and protection of the tree are justified only to the extent that they allow a direct or indirect "gain" for the human community. In an industry in which the technical knowledge necessary for the good management of trees is now available, it is now necessary to take an ethical step: to give dignity to the trees and to ensure compliance with and respect for them, regardless of their relationship with humans.
In recent years, in Italy, attempts have been made to restore an equal relationship between trees and humans in anthropic contexts, based on the adoption of decalogues for the protection of trees inspired by the principle of contracting: tree specimens are welcomed in cities because of the ecological, environmental, aesthetic and cultural benefits that they ensure. In return, they are guaranteed inalienable rights. One of the most effective applications of this approach allows limits, opportunities and exceptions to be established during tree stability assessment campaigns by educating citizens to live together with what we call "acceptable minimum risk." The authors will present experiences that affirm the development of decalogues created in Italy.
Speaker Biography
Stefania Gasperini,
Agronomist, Arborist and owner of AR.ES (Italy)
Stefania Gasperini, agronomist and arborist, owner of AR.ES., an Italian company qualified in Arboriculture and Urban Forestry. Specialized in tree risk, stability assessment and management of veteran trees. Speaker at many conferences and workshops, President of EAC - European Arboriculture Council, board member of SAG Baumstatik e.V., member of SIA (Società Italiana di Arboricoltura) and of ISA – International Society of Arboriculture. She is an ISA Certified Arborist and TRAQ Qualified (Tree Risk Assessment Qualification). With Giovanni Morelli, Stefania worked for many years with Pierre Raimbault and both apply a morphophysiological approach to trees in their daily work.
Speaker Biography
Giovanni Morelli,
Agronomist and Arborist and owner of Progetto Verde (Italy)
Giovanni Morelli, agronomist and arborist, owner of Progetto Verde is a chartered expert professional, specialized in Arboriculture and Urban Forestry, Veteran Trees, tree risk, stability assessment and management of ornamental trees. Speaker at many conferences and workshops, board member of SAG Baumstatik e.V., member of SIA (Società Italiana di Arboricoltura) and of ISA - International Society of Arboriculture. He is an ISA Board Certified Master Arborist, TRAQ Qualified (Tree Risk Assessment Qualification) and QTRA expert. With Stefania Gasperini, Giovanni worked for many years with Pierre Raimbault and both apply a morphophysiological approach to trees in their daily work.
Kew Tour with ‘The Tree Gang’
Speaker Biography
Cecily Withall,
Kew Arboriculture Team (UK)
Cecily is part of Kew’s ‘Tree Gang’, a team of seven arborists (including two apprentices) who manage over 12,000 trees at Kew Gardens in London.