Course Detail

Interested in bespoke training courses?

Contact training@trees.org.uk

Share this course

Tree architecture and morphophysiology symposium

07/04/2025

The Jodrell Laboratory, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, London

Kew-Morpho-Symp

12 hours

Fully Booked

	Exc. VAT	Inc. VAT
Non-Member	£	£
Member	£	£

Course Objectives:

Tree architecture and morphophysiology introduce an arboricultural language which enables users to communicate in a clearer way, with more predictable outcomes, that is designed to help promote the condition and prolong the lifespan of a tree. Using this language and its models, arborists and those specifying pruning operations can understand each other’s objectives, resulting in better tree work.

Setting the scene, principles and opportunities
Application – what does this mean for UK arboriculture?

We’re pleased to provide an opportunity to delve into this refreshing view of tree growth, response and behaviour, above and below ground, with implications for managing trees at all stages of life:

Tree nursery production and establishment
Formative pruning
Maintenance pruning
Mature and veteran tree management

We will be welcomed by Kevin Martin, Head of Tree Collections at Kew, UK

Tom Joye, Belgium

Francis Hallé, France

Jeanne Millet, Canada

Giovanni Morelli and Stefania Gasperini, Italy

Tristan Charles-Dominique, France

Andy Hirons, Myerscough College, UK

Cecily Withall, climbing arborist, Kew, UK

Keith Sacre, Barchams, UK

Course Content:

Tree architecture was first described in the 1960s following research on trees and plants across the globe by Francis Hallé and colleagues, and has become established and well-respected in the French-speaking world, but less known in the UK. We are thrilled to welcome Francis and other experts in this field to explain how this approach to understanding tree growth can inform tree management.

Tree morphophysiology has evolved from tree architecture and can be defined as ‘the study of tree shape and structure in relation to function to achieve the goal of sustaining life’.

Monday 7^th April: The Jodrell Laboratory, Kew
Setting the scene, principles and opportunities
08.30	Arrival, registration, coffee
09.00	Welcome, introductions	Simon Richmond
09.10	Kew welcome	Kevin Martin
09.20	The disparate parts…	Tom Joye
10.15	Tree architecture – a personal overview	Francis Hallé
10.45	Coffee
11.15	Tree architecture for a change of vision of urban trees	Jeanne Millet
12.15	Morphophysiology - introduction	Giovanni Morelli + Stefania Gasperini
13.15	Lunch
14.15	Outside walk to observe examples of architectural models / tree drawing /morphophysiological phases	Jeanne/ Tom/ Francis/ Giovanni + Stefania /
15.30	Tea
16.00	Ageing and getting old are very different things for trees!	Tristan Charles-Dominique
16.30	Study tour, Ferrara – Oct 2024 (personal overviews)	Cecily Withall + Andy Hirons
16.50	Summing up	Simon Richmond
17.00	Close of day 1

Tuesday 8^th April: The Jodrell Laboratory, Kew
Application – what does this mean for UK arboriculture?
08.30	Arrival, coffee
09.00	Introduction	Simon Richmond
09.05	The young tree	Giovanni Morelli & Stefania Gasperini
09.35	Nursery practice/ formative pruning research	Tom Joye
10.05	Nursery practice – commercial implications	Keith Sacre
10.20	Q&A / Discussion	All
10.30	Coffee
11.00	The adult tree	Giovanni Morelli & Stefania Gasperini
11.40	How do trees survive disturbances in the Wild?	Tristan Charles-Domonique
12.10	Outside – pruning demonstration	Tedioli Stefano / Giovanni & Stefania
13.15	Lunch
14.15	The mature tree	Giovanni Morelli & Stefania Gasperini
15.15	Tea
15.45	The ancient tree	Giovanni Morelli & Stefania Gasperini
16.30	Speaker panel /Q&A / Discussion – ‘Next steps?’	All
16.50	Summary / Conclusions	Simon Richmond
17.00	Close and depart

Module Pre-requisites:

N/A

Terms of Cancellation or Amendments to details

We reserve the right to cancel courses and refund applicants if there is insufficient demand.
A FULL charge will be applied to any booking cancelled less than 10 working days before the event.
A £30 administration charge may be applied to changes made to bookings that have been received and acknowledged.

For all course bookings outside the UK and Europe, please email training@trees.org.uk

Page Title