News and Events

Recent news articles and up and coming events

Kent Friends of the Trees – on social media!

A message from our Chairman: I am happy to report that we now have a Facebook page operating for the charity.  This is a public page, so anybody – member or otherwise – can follow the page and post content or comment on other content. If you are a Facebook user, please find our page…

Great Comp Garden – 20 May 2025

Our visit to Great Comp Garden was blessed with perfect weather, and our group of 14 attendees was guided around the 7-acre garden by Christina, the senior gardener, who works with a team of 2 part-time gardeners together with a larger team of volunteers. The garden dates from the late 1950’s and was developed from…

Book review by Martin Whybrow

Suzanne Simard: Finding the Mother Tree Peter Wohlleben: The Hidden Life of Trees   Byline: These two books, by pioneers on either side of the Atlantic, will forever change the way you look at woods and forests. They explain our growing understanding of the deep, complex and fascinating connectivity between trees.  Suzanne Simard and Peter…

How to Read A Tree

It may be that you have heard the – memorable – name Tristan Gooley,  author of this and other books; you may have already explored his world of books, focussing on reading the landscape, weather, sun, moon, trees, plants and animals in order to navigate safely using the “outdoor clues and signs”. This book “How…

AGM Speaker Chris Lane – Cherry Time of Year

Chris Lane  – Cherry Time of Year   Our AGM guest speaker , Chris Lane, had a busy day on Saturday 12 April! As a Trustee of Brogdale Trust, he was supporting the annual Hanami festival at Brogdale in the morning and joined us for our AGM in the afternoon. Chris chose the subject of…

Programme of Events 2025

Saturday 12th April 2025               Annual General Meeting                                             2.30pm VENUE: Lenham Community Centre, 2 Groom Way, Lenham, Maidstone ME17 2QT Speaker: Chris Lane, Proprietor and Manager Witchhazel Nursery “An engaging insight on the Subject of Wisteria”   2025 DAY VISITS – travel by car, (please car-share if possible, as some have restricted parking)   Tues…

Elm reintroduction project – January 2025

On 21 January an audience of 40 was delighted to welcome Lyndsay and Anna, two representatives from Kent Plan Tree, to brief us on the Elm Reintroduction project; our first Winter Season presentation.       A good turnout at the Lads’ Club in Saltwood, demonstrating an enthusiastic response to the reintroduction of elm to…

Challenges of Fruit Farming – Talk 15th February 2025

Paul Hamlyn, our speaker, is the Fruit Production Manager at AC Hulme, a major mixed farming business in north-east Kent, covering arable, livestock and fresh produce.  Paul is responsible for management of the orchards (apple, pear, plum, cherry, apricot) as well as a small area of asparagus. The total area covers around 200 hectares. Paul…

Invitation to Fruit Farming Talk – 15th February 2025

Dear KMOTT Member, Paul Hamlyn – Facing Challenges in Fruit Farming We are delighted to announce details of our second Winter presentation this season, which takes a completely different view of the world of trees – from the perspective of a commercial top fruit farm in Kent and invite our members and guests to join…

Invitation to Elm Talk – 21st January 2025

Dear KMOTT Member   Lyndsay Wayman-Rook: ELM HERITAGE KENT – Reintroducing Elm to our landscape   We are delighted to announce details of a presentation on this important project to reintroduce Elm trees to the Kent landscape and invite our members and guests to join this event either in person or online.   Talk Commences…