10 January 2024
The spectacular Dreaming Trees illuminations, showcasing scientific research about the ways in
which trees can communicate with each other, will return to Howard Davis Park next month for a
second year, following the success of the inaugural event in 2023.
Around 30,000 people are estimated to have come through the park’s gates to see the lit-up trees
last February.
This year’s event, which will run each evening from Saturday 10 to Saturday 17 February (6pm -
9pm), is themed around the four elements: earth, wind, water and fire.
Bruce Labey, Senior Operations Manager for Parks and Gardens, said: “The reaction we got to
Dreaming Trees last year was beyond our expectations, and we didn’t have to think too long or
hard about whether to do it again.
“The aftermath of Storm Ciaran has shown just how special trees are to our Island, and Howard
Davis Park was among the areas to suffer significant damage, so there’s certainly a somewhat
poignant feel to this year’s event.
“As well as showing off the beauty of the park, there’s also an educational element to Dreaming
Trees. The project was inspired by research about the ways in which trees communicate with each
other via a ‘Wood Wide Web’. It led us to thinking about what they’d dream about. We’re using
these illuminations to, quite literally, shine a light on some of the fascinating research in this area.”
Dreaming Trees is a free, non-ticketed event organised by the Government’s Infrastructure and
Environment department and Wolf Productions. It is sponsored by Rathbones Investment
Management International, and supported by the Creative Island Partnership, which was set up to
deliver some of the objectives of the Arts Strategy.
Catherine Taylor, Chief Operations Officer of Rathbones Investment Management International,
added: “Rathbones is delighted to continue its sponsorship of Dreaming Trees in 2024. After the
success of the inaugural event in February 2023 we are excited to be involved again as the plans
include new ways for visitors to enjoy the celebration of our woodland parks, which we are even
more appreciative of and keen to protect and see flourish following the destruction of Storm
Ciaran.”
Educational resource and activity packs supporting the event have been produced for use by
teachers or families. They include scavenger hunts, tree facts and identification information,
suggested crafts, and explain how the Dreaming Trees illuminations can be used to support
learning across the local curriculum.
They can be downloaded from www.gov.je/DreamingTrees
gov.je