Arbor Day UK celebrates a vital global industry
Published: Thursday 12 February 2026Myerscough College has hosted an annual day of celebration of all things trees, in the seventh ‘Arbor Day UK’.
The annual event is a huge celebration of the outdoor environment, those that work with trees (arborists), and recognition of a hugely important global industry.
The day featured a series of guest lectures by a range of arboriculture professionals to invited guests and greenspace learners, in addition to opportunities to network with various industry colleagues who were present.
Guest speakers included Frank Konczynski - Head Forester for the Abbeystead Estate; Richard Hartley - Forestry Commission - Woodland Resilience Officer; and Alun Evans - Ecologist at TEP, Warrington.
The day also saw an official tree planting event at the college’s Bilsborrow campus to mark the occasion, where Jim Carter DL, The High Sheriff of Lancashire, planted a Styrax Japonicum (Snowdrop tree), and Frank Konczynski planted the second tree - a Nyssa sylvatica (Black gum).
Myerscough celebrated the first Arbor Day in 2020, with this year being the seventh event.
During this time, there have been a large number of significant tree planting initiatives that have taken place across the college estate around Myerscough’s main Bilsborrow campus and neighbouring Lodge and Lee Farms.
These include:
Duncan’s Wood (1.35 hectares) – Initial planted in 2014, completed in 2018, and extended in 2026. It contains a broad mix of species.
Brock Bank Wood (0.6 hectares) – Planted in 2017 and extended in 2023, initially as part of the Royal Forestry Society’s ‘Conifers for Colleges’ scheme. It contains a conifer mix with some broadleaf trees.
Arbor Day Wood (0.25 hectares) – Myerscough’s first Arbor Day planting in 2019. It contains a mix of oak, birch, willow and alder, with some cherry and rowan.
Rainbow Triangle (1.35 hectares) – Planted during the Covid pandemic in 2020 and 2021, it contains willow and aspen with some other species.
Calf Houses (0.3 hectares) – Planted in 2022, with a mix of oak and Scots pine with birch, crab apple and hazel. It’s designed to provide shelter for the calf houses at Lodge Farm.
Queen’s Corner (0.2 hectares) – Planted in 2022 with birch and hazel, with willows and snowdrop trees, and a willow fence at its edge.
Booth’s Wood (2.25 hectares) – Planted in 2023 and 2024, it includes a mix of oak, birch and lime at the northern end, and willow and poplar at the southern end.
Queen’s Coppice (0.25 hectares) – Planted in 2024 in association with Hawes Side Academy in Blackpool. It’s Myerscough’s first ever coppice area and is created with hazel coppice and a few other standard trees.
Andrea’s Rings (0.11 hectares) – Planted in the last few weeks at Lee Farm, using oak, birch and pine. It is designed to provide shelter and shade for the farm’s grazing sheep and cattle.
Lee Farm Orchard (0.6 hectares) – Work has just begun on this once derelict orchard, with an initial planting of 25 apple, plum and medlar trees.
There have also been many individual plantings, with numerous donated trees which have allowed for the renewal of the College’s parkland landscape, and adding a greater variety to the botanic collection.
There has also been a large number of community plantings at 15 local schools; street trees planted in partnership with Cabus parish council, two orchards created at Scorton and Caldervale, and plantings in forest school areas at Bilsborrow and Kirkland.
Susanna Brandon Curriculum Area Manager - Greenspace at Myerscough, said: ‘’What began as a simple commitment to plant more trees has become a flourishing celebration of sustainability, stewardship and community.
‘’Each year, staff and students come together to reinforce the College’s long-term commitment to biodiversity, landscape management and creating a greener campus for future generations.
‘’We are especially delighted that our Patron, Dan Snow MBE, took the time to prepare a message of support (which you can watch below), recognising the importance of planting trees today for the landscapes of tomorrow.
‘’Here’s to seven years of growth and many more to come!’’