GALLERY: Dreaming Trees illuminations could become annual light festival

Friday 17 February 2023

Organisers of the Dreaming Trees at Howard Davis Park are hoping it will become an annual "festival" after the kaleidoscopic illuminations attracted around 17,000 visitors in less than a week.

Launched on 12 February, the aim of the Dreaming Trees initiative was to encourage islanders outside and into the park this winter.

It was also hoped that the nightly event would showcase Jersey’s trees, and teach islanders about international scientific research exploring how trees communicate and share resources.

Pictured: The Dreaming Trees illuminations at Howard Davis Park.

This project was inspired by the work of Dr Suzanne Simard, leader of the Mother Tree Project, a research project dedicated to investigating forest renewal practices that will protect biodiversity, carbon storage and forest regeneration as climate changes.  

"This Dreaming Trees event stems from mind-boggling science, that demonstrates that trees behave intelligently, they help their neighbours and communicate via fungal networks," explained Bruce Labey, the Senior Operations Manager of the Parks, Gardens and Cleaning Services.

"The light installation at Howard Davis Park is our way of using the parks to help people understand these new findings in an exciting and beautiful way." 

Video: Bruce Labey, Senior Operations Manager for Jersey's Park and Gardens, speaking about the Dreaming Trees project.

He added: "We hope this will be the first in an annual series of light installations during February, and who knows? It could grow into a light festival for Jersey."

This weekend is the last opportunity to see the Dreaming Trees. The illuminations will be running between 18:00 and 21:00 until Sunday 19 February and entry is free.

GALLERY...

Photographs kindly shared by Colette Garvey, who described Dreaming Trees as a "great family evening"...