#thetreehunter

[thetreehunter]

The Walking Twins of Roosendael

Breaking News! Two planes have crashed to the ground at Roosendael in Flanders, Belgium.  Miraculously, no one was killed, and they walked away from the wreckage.

The Walking Twins of Roosendael

So free and beautiful, tall in the sky, they flew, 

Until a great storm raged and raged and blew, 

Their hands slipped, their embrace was broken, 

Crashing to the ground, their neighbours were woken, 

No one was killed, only slight injuries, 

The miraculous Walking Twins of Roosendaal are no 'plain' trees! 

Tree hunter Rob McBride Sept. 2023

Platanus x hispanica (London Plane)

Bomen Beter Beheren weekend in Roosendael - Sint-Katelijne-Waver Arboweekend 29 sept – 1 okt Domein Roosendael - Veterane bomen Massive thanks to organisers, Willem Van Der Linden, Sander Van Coillie, plus Kjel Dupon and Wim Peeters, and all the incredible arborists and attendees that came to such an amazing event. Thank you also to the Catering Staff for the delicious food and drink. And special thanks to speakers... Nico d’hamers ; Kris van de kerkhove; Jeroen Snaaijers ; Ruben van Praag ; Koen Smets ; Frits Gielissen ; Guy Herremans ; Alex Lefevre Thanks also to Belgian Tree hunters Roel Jacobs and Marc Meyer for their inspiration and trips around the Great Trees of Belgium over many years.

The 'Not-so Plain' Walking Twins of Roosendael

The Planes crashed to the Earth...Now they 'Walk' to London...

Platanus xhispanica (London Plane)

They are no longer 'ROOTED' to the spot....The Walking Twins of Roosendael... They are an OPEN CLASSROOM for everyone to learn about the wonders of trees... PHOENIX trees regenerate and root after falling to the ground...essentially, they 'walk' across landscapes. In three hundred years, these Platanus will be a long way from the 'Mother Trees'.

Not any old PLANE Forest...a real gem of Europe...

Wonderful, tree man Ton above tree man arborist Bert

Playing the 'Nail' game... Arjan below is the Champion mostly.. If I can remember! Lol.

Such an important event for all of these excellent arborists to come together to discuss veteran trees and so much more...

I look forward to the next event with Bomen Beter Beheren.

[thetreehunter]

Filming The King’s Spy Oak for ITV News

What an absolute privilege it was for me to finally ‘meet with’ the 700-year-old King’s Spy Oak at Caversham, Reading, on Wednesday. This irreplaceable, ancient oak is threatened with felling by a ludicrous housing development scheme (Go to Reading Council Planning Portal and enter 221909). 

At the great oak I was met by local campaigner Jennifer Leach, along with ITV Meridian’s presenter Mel Bloor and camerawoman Steph. Both Jennifer and myself were interviewed for the news piece, which will hopefully be aired on ITV Meridan News today (Friday 12th May 2023).  The Woodland Trust’s Jack Taylor gave a Zoom interview for the piece.

ITV Meridian’s presenter Mel Bloor interviews Tree hunter Rob McBride

The King’s Spy Oak

There have been numerous objections to the planned housing development. Sterling work from local campaigners including the READING TREE WARDENS have raised the plight of this internationally significant ancient oak.

ITV Meridian’s presenter Mel Bloor interviews tree campaigner Jennifer Leach

Local reporter James Aldridge also came along to chat with us and has produced a tree-mendous piece, including a much-longer VIDEO REPORT, in the - Click here for report>> READING CHRONICLE.

ITV Meridian’s presenter Mel Bloor filming her news report at the King’s Spy Oak Rob said ‘This tree must be saved. If the proposed felling goes ahead, then we might as well give up!’ 

and continued by saying... ‘There is an urgent need for proper new laws to protect our truly ancient gems like the King’s Spy Oak.’ Please do head along to the Woodland Trust’s site and sign their -  Click here to sign>> -  ‘LIVING LEGENDS’ petition asking for just such a law from all UK governments.

Please feel free to Click here to join the FACEBOOK group >> Save the King’s Spy Oak and help us raise awareness of this incredible ancient oak.

[thetreehunter]

Mark Williams Battle of Crogen talk at the Oak at the Gate of The Dead

Brilliant day with Mark Williams. A top, self-funded Welsh historian who discoveries so many amazing discoveries associated with this pivotal Battle of Crogen that took place here in the Ceiriog Valley in 1165. King Henry II’s army  given a beating by Owain Gwynedd’s Welsh army before coming back again to try to push into Wales.

A significant battle that shaped the UK & Europe for ever.

Ex-Guardian Environmental correspondent John Vidal, came along at my invite and thoroughly enjoyed the talk.

A famous TV star, this ancient Oak at the Gate of the Dead (a 'Living Witness' to the battle) is on the proposed new route of my Ancient Tree Guided walk from the historical Pontfadog Oak to the now famous Brimmon Oak. An 80 mile #Walk4Trees #TreesInNeed they deserve #TREEspect