Portuguese Ancients

In October Jill Butler and
Ted Green were invited by
the Portugese Society of
Arboriculture to a two day
conference in the Parque
Biologico de Vila Nova de
Gaia, near Porto, to give
lectures and outdoor
workshop on the importance of
old tress and their care.

During our eight day vist we were taken to several areas in the north of Portugal, with concentrations of trees, which turned out to be mainly working with trees. In fact in many of these areas the trees were still being worked using age old methords handed down through the centuries. Although having seen many examples of trees being worked, across the continent, in previous years this time the real bonus was going with people that could ask the locals who were usually old rustics our in-depth questions.

Driving through the treescape of Portugal and working with trees could be seen everywere, cork oaks, olive and orange groves, along with other orchards, not to mention mile after mile of eucalyptus and mimosa, both now doing so well they are considered as invasive species. Then there was the magnificent avenues of majestic palms lining the streets with other short squat palm trees in parks and gardens.

Ted was delighted and suprised when he arrived at the conference cantre to find the surrounding landscape full of English ...

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