Meeting PeCAN and Professor Andy Moffat at the Petersfield Festival of Trees

On 22 February 2025, Steward of Things founder Jonathan Graham went along to theFestival of Treesin Petersfield. He had two reasons to be there: to collect a tree for his front garden from Petersfield Town Council, and to meet the people behind the town's tree planting for the first time.

Meeting Andy and Gregory

The picture above is the first time Jonathan metProfessor Andy Moffat (in the hat) andGregory Ford, Chair of the Petersfield Climate Action Network (PeCAN). Andy went on to collaborate with the Steward of Things team on thetree establishment experiment in Petersfield, testing different approaches to watering newly planted trees.

About the event

The Festival of Trees ran from 10:00 to 14:00 and was billed as an event for the whole family. It was organised by PeCAN in partnership with Petersfield Community Garden and East Hampshire District Council, to celebrate the benefits of trees and to carry on PeCAN's tree distribution. Nearly 2,000 trees had been given out over the previous three winters, and this year's aim was to add another 700.

The day included:

• Free demonstrations throughout the day
• Expert advice on mini forests, soil suitability and climate-conscious planting
• Guidance on tree care, planting, pruning, grafting on rootstock and fan training
• Activities for children, including exploring tree seeds and identifying trees
• Fruit trees, pre-ordered at £12.50 each, for collection at the festival

A cherry tree for the front garden

Jonathan's tree from Petersfield Town Council was a cherry, now growing in the front garden.

Trees like this one are exactly what Steward of Things is built to look after: every planting is only the start of years of watering, checking and care.