Dreaming Trees To Return

Thursday, 11 January 2024 07:00

Howard Davis Park will be adorned with lights once again this year, as the Dreaming Trees are back next month.

30,000 people headed to the park over the course of a week last February to see the spectacular illuminations.

This year's exhibition will focus on the four elements - earth, wind, water and fire - as well as on how trees communicate with each other.

Bruce Labey, Senior Manager for Parks and Gardens, says the elements are what trees respond too.

"That is what they live in, from looking from a tree's world view. The fire from the sun, the water from the earth and the rain. It's all critical to trees."

Bruce Labey at Howard Davis Park

Thousands of trees across the island were uprooted during last November's Storm Ciarán, which brought wind speeds of up to 100mph and a tornado in the eastern parishes.

Half the trees in Howard Davis Park either came down or were damaged. The park was closed for more than a month while branches were cleared.

Mr Labey says the storm highlighted how important trees are to Jersey.

"It was awful to see all these lovely creatures being smashed to pieces, (in) the tornado especially.

We're hoping Dreaming Trees will encourage people to think about trees and planting them,.

We believe we lost around 30,000 to 50,000 in the island."

The installation will run from 10 - 17 February at Howard Davis Park.