YOUNGSTERS got the chance to learn about our leafy giants from tree experts at Kingston Maurward College.

Two primary schools, Portesham and Prince of Wales School in Dorchester, had an enjoyable VIP opportunity spending the day at the college to learn about different trees and tips on how to identify them through leaf shape and bark. 

This was the prize for winning a poetry competition organised by the college during its Apple Day event in autumn. 

Jo Milan, who led the event, said: “The children were really enthusiastic about their day at college and enjoyed sharing their knowledge of trees while learning new things."

In Maiden Newton, the tree section extended its community links by helping year six pupils from Greenford Primary School plant their leavers tree, a school tradition whereby each year’s departing class plants a tree on school grounds with a commemorative plaque. 

Headteacher Franz Atkinson said: “This is a lovely gift from the departing children, planting a tree that will benefit all current and future children at the school."

In addition to Dorset’s primary school children, year ten secondary school pupils from Thomas Hardye, Lychett Minster and Wey Valley schools took part in this year’s careers college event. This allows pupils to try out a range of different activities they may not have encountered previously. 

One example was providing children with the opportunity to scale a large beech tree on ropes and even attempt branch walking. This was all conducted under the expert guidance of the college’s instructors Roland Hughes and Alistair Mailer. 

Alistair said: “The pupils love to have a go, at first they think climbing is easy until they start, then they realise how difficult it can be, but by the end of the session almost all of the children manage to climb seven meters into the canopy of the tree and receive a real sense of achievement."

Kingston Maurward offers a range of full and short college courses that focus on trees. Visit kmc.ac.uk/ for further details.