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Kathy Willis visits Kew's arboretum to see how the 1987 hurricane led to a new understanding of effective tree care. From 2014.

During the early hours of October 16th 1987, hurricane force winds ripped through southern England recording gusts of 110 mph. In just a few hours 15 million trees across the country were felled. Dawn revealed over 700 of Kew's trees sprawled on their sides, their root systems spread in the cool calm air after the storm.

Kathy Willis explores how one Kew oak tree - the Turner Oak - that didn't fall, helped transform the understanding of tree planting, arboreal care and provided insights into why trees stay upright.

She takes a walk with arborealist Tony Kirkham around Kew Gardens to learn how this natural clearout gave a once in a generation chance to rethink Kew's arboreal canvas. It also created an opportunity for the first-ever comprehensive tree root survey, which has since transformed our approach to tree planting and long-term care that's now finding its way into horticultural practices today.

Producer: Adrian Washbourne

Available now

15 minutes

Last on

Thu 25 Jul 2019 02:15

The 1987 Storm In The News

Broadcasts

  • Wed 13 Aug 2014 13:45
  • Wed 16 Mar 2016 14:15
  • Thu 17 Mar 2016 02:15
  • Wed 19 Jul 2017 14:15
  • Thu 20 Jul 2017 02:15
  • Wed 24 Jul 2019 14:15
  • Thu 25 Jul 2019 02:15

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