University demonstrates its green credentials

More than 100 members of the Royal Forestry Society visited last week for a Joint Field Meeting Estate visit.

The Royal Forestry Society membership includes woodland owners, land managers, foresters, students, conservationists, arborists, landscapers, timber merchants, ecologists and keen amateurs, all united by an interest and love of trees.

The morning started with Rachel Buckingham-Howard the University’s Rural Surveyor providing an overview of the University’s Estate at Madingley.

This was followed by the University’s Forestry Consultants Lockhart Garratt giving a tour of Madingley Wood, a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

The visit gave the Royal Forestry Society a unique chance to visit one of the longest studied ancient woods in Europe with research records going back over 350 years.

It is closed to members of the public but is used by University Departments for specialist woodland research.

The guests were shown various types of woodland management being carried out.  Discussions ranged from how best to grow good quality Oak and Ash sustainably for timber production, concern over impact of Acute Oak Decline on oak, how to manage the ground Flora and Fauna for maximum benefit for wildlife, how to manage rare Elms that are growing in the wood with a view of trying to increase the local population with apparent ‘resistance’ with Dutch Elm disease and whilst maintaining the wood as a valuable research resource.

The visitors then moved on to the 800 Wood, adjacent to Madingley Wood,  which was planted to mark the University’s landmark anniversary, to see how this young, wood only three years from the initial planting, had blossomed into a beautiful green space which welcomes members of the public all through the year.

Discussions took place about the design, the links with the adjacent Ancient Wood and the excellent development of seedlings that have now flourished into young trees.

The visit then moved to the adjacent American Cemetery, formerly part of the

Madingley Estate which was donated by the University last century, where they were treated to a tour of the beautifully landscaped and cared for grounds, looking at the Japanese Pagoda Tree avenue, the layout and maintenance of the site as well learning of its historical background and importance.

In the afternoon the guests were given guided tours of Madingley Hall gardens which have been sensitively restored in recent decades by the Gardening Team at the Hall.  In particular, members were invited to look at the two recently restored 18^th Century vistas, the Capability Brown east vista and the earlier north vista. These two restorations have been achieved through the close partnership between University Estate Management and the Institute of Continuing Education at Madingley Hall.

Other highlights included enjoying the many fine specimen trees, some unusual and the replanting programme to ensure this historic landscape is carried forward for future generations. The tour was completed by viewing the topiary garden and the hazel tunnel in the landscaped Walled garden.

Rachel Buckingham-Howard commented.  “It was a wonderful experience to be able to share the University’s woodlands with Forestry and Ecological experts as well as keen amateurs all passionately interested in woodland and environmental management.”

Links:

The Royal Forestry Society

https://rfs.org.uk/

University Estate Management

https://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/offices/em/

Cambridge American Cemetery

https://www.abmc.gov/cemeteries/cemeteries/ca.php