Ep. 023: There will be Leaves on the Mountain Again with Rob Penn

Wilder Podcast

Rob graciously takes us back to woodland basics in this fascinating episode as we consider the role of trees in addressing the climate and ecological crises. We discuss the unique opportunities presented by the Welsh uplands, the (successful) efforts of bracken to take over the world and the innovative techniques developed by Stump up For Trees as they seek to plant one million trees across the Brecon Beacons.

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• Tom Constable: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-constable/
• Chloe Constable: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chloe-constable-24155821b/

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Our Guest:

Rob Penn is an author, journalist and broadcaster. He has written widely on subjects such as cycling, travel and bread, as well as a number of books about British woodland including the The Man Who Made Things Out of Trees, about the ash tree and Woods: A Celebration, published by the National Trust. He also wrote and presented Tales From the Wildwood, a series for BBC4 about woodland management. As well as being the co-founder and Project Manager of Stump up for Trees, he is patron of the Small Woods Association and set up a local community woodland group.

Find out more at: https://stumpupfortrees.org

Or buy his books at: The Man who Made Things Out of Trees: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-man-who-made-things-out-of-trees-robert-penn/4252570?aid=477&ean=9780141977515&

OR Woods: A Celebration:

https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/woods-a-celebration-robert-penn/263376?ean=9781911358114

Listen out for:

[00:00:00] Tom and Chloe share the latest news from the Grange Project, covering diverse subjects including the pigs (and their ecosystem engineer functions), the Monmouthshire Botany Group and Tom’s latest crazy challenge,

[00:07:55] We introduce our guest, Rob Penn, and start the conversation by considering the importance of trees, including the ecosystem service they provide.

[00:13:50] Rob then explains how we’re doing within the UK in terms of woodland cover (and how that compares internationally) and where we should be planting tees.

[00:21:48] We hear about the attempts of bracken to take over the world, and how it’s being pretty successful within the Welsh uplands.

[00:25:53] Rob then shares with us some of the challenges of planting on the steep bracken banks and the innovative techniques required to address them.

[00:34:54] We discuss what is meant by ‘wood security’ and how this should be considered on an equal footing with food security.

[00:37:27] Chloe asks about sources of funding for tree planting, including government and natural capital.

[00:41:31] We conclude the conversation by hearing about the work of Stump Up For Trees and the joy of working alongside volunteers.

[00:45:22] Chloe and Tom reflect on the interview and what resonated most for them.