Written by Angie Griffin (Wharfedale Gardeners' Group committee member)

WHARFEDALE Gardeners' Group welcomed the return of John Grimshaw to open the season of talks.

As Director of the Yorkshire Arboretum, he is well placed to share his passionate enthusiasm and knowledge with us for this incredible collection

In the advertising the arboretum declares its purpose is for “Inspiration, Education, Conservation”. John would add that it is also for relaxation, wellbeing, joy and fun

The arboretum is part of the Castle Howard Estate and associated to Kew Gardens

Over 7,00 trees on 120-acres, 1400 unique species and with 20% of the trees being from known wild origin

James Russell planned the planting of the trees and as a landscape architect, he planned the vistas, the walks and especially the colour schemes and textural landscape. He had a grand vision, to include open spaces and vistas, where the visitors could view the trees for afar, seeing them stand alone, displaying their magnificent and characterful outlines

Plant collectors and enthusiasts have sent specimens from all over the world, including China, the Himalayas, and Central Asia. Huge tree seeds have grown up here, like the hickory from the U.S.A. and a wollemi pine from Western Australia. Experiments in growing these unusual trees which are now proving useful as we tackle climate change and a variety of diseases attacking our native trees. John has overseen the meticulous labelling and plotting process where you can track any tree, to the very spot it where it grows, with a GPS app. on your phone

Other natural plant life is carefully introduced and encouraged on the estate including fungi (look out for the stinkhorn). Wild flowers grow in the open spaces which include 150 native plants like harebell, cowslip, buttercup, dandelions and orchids

The Tree Health Centre provides training for future students to carve out careers in arboriculture. The tracking of tree disease is also an essential part of helping them to plan for the future by installing trees that can outlive the ravages of some diseases such as ash die-back, chestnut gall and Dutch elm disease

The Yorkshire Arboretum will continue to promote the beauty of trees, building links with schools and colleges to create a generation of tree specialists and to keep detailed accounts of the health of our trees, to help them to thrive, whatever the climate has to throw at us. A world without trees is not a world any of us would choose to live in, especially not John Grimshaw!