Summary

Lestari are working together with Forest Research to explore the range of cultural and social values of trees outside of woodland, through the lens of the arts and humanities. Trees outside of woodland include hedgerows, scrub, wood pasture, orchards, copses, groves, linear treelines, greenways/holloways, and lone trees, specifically in peri-urban and rural areas.

We are approaching this project by focusing on three mini-explainers to illustrate these important relationships between people and trees. The first of these builds upon the of key findings from an initial literature review, to develop a professionally designed infographic, with striking visuals highlighting the various value types related to trees outside of woodland.

Next, a picture essay illustrates 20 high quality vignettes of a diverse range of people for whom the arts and humanities provide a key way of interacting with and knowing trees outside of woodland. This will be undertaken through interviews with a range of artists and researchers exploring their engagements with trees.

Finally, a series of podcasts will take a deep dive into the way trees outside of woodland hold specific meaning for different communities via myth, folklore and storytelling.

With this project we hope to illuminate these hidden yet important relationships, and to bring to the surface the storied lives of trees within our society and cultures while making this accessible to a broad audience.