A group of students studying Arboriculture at Bridgwater College’s Cannington Centre were able to view the tallest tree in England when they visited the Crown Estate near Dunster.
The visit gave students the opportunity to speak to Andy Player, Head Forester at the Crown Estate, which helped them to appreciate the importance of their course including specialist forestry and woodland management for wildlife and timber production. As part of the tall trees trail at the estate, students got to view England’s tallest tree, a 60 metre Douglas fir.
The tree was planted about 140 years ago, yet in that time it has grown so quickly and so tall, that it has outgrown every tree species that's been growing in England for thousands of years, making it nearly 10m taller than Nelson’s Column!
Evie Byrne, who is studying the Level 3 Extended Diploma in Forestry and Arboriculture at the College said,
“It was a great day that taught us a lot. Andy showed us around the trees and forests and explained the challenges for modern day woodland managers. It's inspiring to hear about the knowledge and experience as a Forest Ranger.”
Mike Cullen, Programme Manager for Arboriculture at Bridgwater College said,
“Taking students out into woodlands and forests is an essential component of our courses. Giving them hands on experience is key to them forging their own successful careers in this ever changing and highly demanding industry.”
