With: Fiona Melville 

Date:  04/11/22 (9.30am -  4pm)

Venue: Swallowdrum, Donibristle, Cowdenbeath, Fife, KY4 8ET

How do we protect, create, renew and maintain beautiful green spaces? How do we connect these to the wider environment and use these spaces to enlighten others about the importance of having nature in our every day lives. How best can we select trees to increase species diversity, whilst ensuring that what we plant is suited to the soil and surroundings? And how will they last well into maturity while not becoming a source of conflict with either the owner and/or their neighbours!

This course will be a mix of lecture style and hands on learning outside at Fiona’s home and woodland.
Learning outcomes: This course will provide a better understanding of which tree species to plant where and how to plant them and get them established. It will also enable us to work around trees that are already established on site and recognize symptoms of stress or disease.

Target audience: This course will be aimed at all garden designers, from students to those who have been in practice for a while who would like to improve their knowledge of trees.

Programme: 9.30am to 10am Arrival Tea Coffee 

10am to 10.15am Welcome and Introduction to the Day

10.15am to 12.30pm Benefits of Trees,Site, Soils and Species Selection,Planting and Establishment,Potential Impact of Garden Design on ext. & new trees

11.15am to 11.30am Comfort Break

12.30pm to 1.15pm Lunch - prepare for outdoor session

1.30pm to 3pm Outdoor Session:

Assessing tree prior to purchase/planting,Planting,Tree health

3pm till 4pm Q&A

4pm Depart

Items to bring: Notepaper and pencil, packed lunch and mug, warm clothes, waterproofs and walking shoes.

Special directions information: 

From the B925 head up the farm road until you come to a fork with a white cottage and wooden stables on your right hand side – take the right hand fork and you will see a new build house Swallowdrum up ahead [and perhaps a couple of static caravans!]