Biodynamic Forestry Workshop

The connection between people and forest needs developing from an early age and during this weekend some experiences will be shared of how to engage young adults with woodland work. This will be supported by a practical outdoor illustration. There will also be a practical demonstration of how to make woodland compost using the accumulating brushwood and debris of the forest floor and of course applying the biodynamic preparations. Compost in each planting hole can make all the difference since if they are going grow for hundreds of years trees need a good start in life. We will also make a 'Benjes Hedge' – a carefully constructed mound of twigs and small branches which can serve as a fence but also encourages nesting by small birds and other wildlife. This practical part will be supported by a talk on the value and importance of continuous cover forestry.

At the first Forestry weekend three years ago a presentation was given about a remarkable tree sculpture created in Germany several years ago. Taking the ground plan of the first Goetheanum building, which had been created entirely of wood, a life size reconstruction was conceived but this time using living trees. The pillars in the original building were made using wood from the seven planetary trees. In this ‘tree building’ the same tree species are used but planted and allowed to grow into mature trees. During this coming workshop we plan to identify a site in Botton where a similar project might be developed. To prepare this a full picture of what it entails and what it might grow into will be presented as an illustrated talk to the whole village.

The workshop is intended as a working conference involving all participants. It is intended as a forum in which particular experiences, issues and challenges can be shared and out of which new ideas and initiatives can be spawned.

The event is open to everyone interested in trees and forests.