Apple Tree Pruning workshop with Andrew Lear (a.k.a. AppleTreeMan).  Tuesday 12th December 10-1pm Tickets £10: to be bought online at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/apple-tree-pruning-workshop-with-appletreeman-tickets-40032315734 Numbers are limited, so book early. Andrew Lear a.k.a Appletreeman, will be joining us at the Botanic Garden, to lead a workshop on apple tree pruning. Andrew will walk us through both traditional and modern theory of how to prune apple trees to improve tree productivity and maintain tree health. The workshop will include teaching in the education centre, and practical demonstrations in the botanic garden. Things to bring: Notebook and pen, and warm waterproof clothes for  the outdoor session. Website: https://plantsandapples.com/

Plant of the month November 2017

Metasequoia glyptostroboides (Dawn Redwood)
Family: Cupressaceae
Origin: Central and W. China
Accession: 1981
Location: Beside Visitor Centre pond

Metasequoia was originally reported as an extinct genus, based only on widely distributed fossils over 100 million years old, until 1943 when small populations were discovered in central China. The tree is critically endangered in the wild, but has now been planted extensively in arboreta, parks and gardens worldwide. It is a deciduous conifer, with reddish-brown fibrous bark and soft, pale green ferny foliage which turns coppery-pink and russet-brown in autumn. It is fast-growing, makes an excellent specimen tree and is tolerant of waterlogging.

Thanks to Maggie Gowland for photographs.