The world’s leading wood sculptors will be joining forces with artisans and enthusiasts to ensure that this summer’s Festival of the Tree at the National Arboretum, Westonbirt shapes up to be another fantastic event.

The week-long wood extravaganza (August 20-27) has carved its niche in the annual summer event calendar and is widely recognized as one of the most amazing tree festivals in the world, with international exhibitors and thousands of visitors from across the UK and Europe.

The Festival of the Tree has grown over the years to accommodate everyone from wood-carving enthusiasts to families looking for a fun day out and the event has branched out into three sections: Sculptree, Family Tree and Exhibitree.

SCULPTREE has become one of the world’s leading competitive tree sculpturing events. Using chainsaws, axes and chisels, giant logs from the arboretum will be transformed into amazing works of art by a dozen top sculptors who have been asked to create large scale work based on the theme 'This Precious Earth.' From images of the globe, to the flora, fauna and human beings which inhabit it, the 12 sculptures will reflect each carver’s vision of our precious planet.

Visitors can see them at work all week as they chisel their way towards the Sunday finale when the public choose their favourite pieces. Sculptree culminates in a nail-biting auction on Bank Holiday Monday (August 27) at 3pm with a portion of the proceeds going to Tree Aid. The Bristol-based charity provides long-term development support to some of the poorest communities in Africa’s drylands by helping them become self-reliant through forestry projects, which help them secure their basic needs and earn income from trees.

Leading environmentalist and newly-appointed president of Tree Aid, Sir Crispin Tickell, will be attending the auction at Westonbirt and helping to raise the profile of the charity - and the bids!

With prices last year ranging from £800 to £4000 this is an opportunity to snap up a piece of unique sculpture from National Arboretum timber for your garden. Sculptree has raised more than £165K for Tree Aid in its 15 years at Westonbirt.


Gary Keenan from Iowa, USA, will be making his debut at Westonbirt. His sculpture 'orbis emitta vita' (Latin for 'earth gives life) combines flowers, leaves, insects, birds, and animals depicting the natural harmony of life. “I feel strongly about how we care for the earth, and perhaps the sculpture will help people reflect on the importance of
this,” he said.

Also new to the team is local carver John Wingfield from Taunton. And returning from last year is Alexander Ivanov from Bulgaria, whose traditionally-influenced sculptures have proved popular at the auction in the past.

FAMILY TREE provides a raft of events and activities for all ages to enjoy. Artist Tom Hare will be creating a willow play sculpture based around the idea of tree growth rings and he’ll be looking for help from visitors to weave the main structure from the 20th. This will then become a feature of the new children’s play area, so it’s your chance to leave a lasting impression on Westonbirt.

Young woodland adventurers can head off the beaten track by following a brand new William Woodworm trail, and free craft activities will be on offer from August 20-24th.

The third piece of the wooden jigsaw is EXHIBITREE (24 to 27 August) which features more than 100 exhibitors selling everything to do with trees. Most exhibitors will be demonstrating their craft and offering plenty of opportunities to have a go yourself. In the guilds and societies area there will be displays of everything from bonsai to model wheeled vehicles and the British Woodcarvers Association will have their usual high profile presence.

One of the big draws for the carving community is the demonstrations and master classes hosted by Classic Hand Tools. Due to popular demand, this year the programme has been expanded and will feature international experts including Rob Cosman and Konrad Sauer who will be passing on tips and techniques in free drop in sessions.

Traditional rural skills will also be showcased in the arboretum’s Working Woodlands area. Expect to see pole lathing, hurdle making and a festival first - a demonstration of charcoal making.

Event Manager Rachael Miller said about this year’s festival, “We continue to provide a lot for the woodcraft enthusiast, however, this event is a chance for the whole family to have a day out. Increasing the opportunities for children to get involved means a better time for all and a chance to inspire the carvers and crafts people of tomorrow!”

Festival of the Tree is open 10am - 4pm. Admission to the Festival of the Tree costs £8 adults, £7 concessions and £3 for children. The arboretum is three miles south west of Tetbury on the A433 Tetbury to Bath road, and 10 miles north-east of Junction 18 of the M4 and south-east of junction 13 of the M5.

For more information, visit www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt

Westonbirt is open all year between 9am and 8pm, or dusk if earlier. The normal cost of admission for adults is £5-£7.50, children £1, group and concession rates available. For more information call the Arboretum on 01666 880220.

Notes to Editors:

1. Westonbirt - The National Arboretum, is renowned worldwide for its tree and shrub collection. It contains nearly 16,000 specimens, including almost half of those woody plants known to grow in the world's temperate climate zone, and covers 600 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds. Its importance is recognised by English Heritage's Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historical Interest as a Grade 1 Listed Landscape.

2. Westonbirt is managed by the Forestry Commission. Visitor numbers are just under 350,000 per annum with a membership of over 19,000.

3. Westonbirt Arboretum was established in 1829 by wealthy landowner Robert Holford, and later developed by his son, George Holford. Much of Westonbirt's renowned autumn colour is often credited to Sir George's plantings of Japanese maples between 1875 and 1900, many of which are still alive today. Unlike many arboreta, Westonbirt is laid out according to aesthetic appeal rather than scientific or geographical criteria, and the Holfords' legacy is open for all to enjoy - a beautiful, relaxing and unique day out amongst some of the tallest, oldest and rarest trees and shrubs in Britain.

4. Westonbirt is home to the National Maple (Acer) Collection, with over 300 different types in the collection. The Forestry Commission opened Westonbirt Arboretum to the public in 1961, and in 1966 a new Acer Glade was established alongside the original one planted by Robert and George Holford in 1870. Today we are in the process of creating the world’s best collection of maples.

5. Westonbirt Arboretum is three miles south west of Tetbury on the A433 (Tetbury to Bath Road). It is 10 miles north-east of Junction 18 of the M4 and south-east of junction 13 of the M5.

6. The Forestry Commission is the government department responsible in England for protecting, expanding and promoting the sustainable management of woods and forests and increasing their value to society and the environment. Forestry makes a real contribution to sustainable development, providing social and environmental benefits arising from planting and managing attractive, as well as productive, woodlands. Further information can be found at www.forestry.gov.uk