Friday, 16 Oct 2026, 6:00 pm
Cotswolds, UK
Invitation description
This October, Young IDS heads to the Cotswolds to explore some remarkable tree collections at the most colourful time of the year. Are you joining us?
On Saturday morning, we will visit Tortworth Arboretum, first planted in 1853 and holds an impressive collection of champion trees, including notable specimens of Cedrus deodara, Quercus frainetto and Sequoiadendron giganteum. Collections Manager Jake will introduce us to the collection before we explore the arboretum. We will then continue to Leigh Delamere, where IDS member and former chairman Harriet Tupper will generously welcome us for an afternoon visit to her private tree collection.
On Sunday, we will visit Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, home to one of the finest tree collections in the world and five National Plant Collections (Acer species, Japanese maple cultivars, Tilia, Staphylea and Juglandaceae). Mid-October is a particularly special time to visit, with the maple collection at its colourful best in autumn, including the critically endangered Amami maple. The collection also includes an ancient Tilia cordata coppice, believed to be around 2,000 years old.
A limited number of free beds will be available, we will suggest additional accommodation options nearby, and we will help coordinate shared transport where possible.
Members are welcome to bring a guest (non-member) as long as they can vouch for them.
We look forward to a weekend of remarkable trees, autumn colour and good company!
Cost: There is no cost to event (members and guests must cover the cost of their own accommodation, travel and food).
Agenda
Friday 16th: Evening arrival optional
Saturday 17th of October:
Morning activity: 09:30 - meet at Tortworth Forest Centre (GL12 8HH), intro from Jake (Collections Manager), independent exploration of the arboretum
Lunch:
Afternoon activity: Drive to Leigh Delamere House to be hosted by Harriet Tupper
Evening activity : Group dinner at a local pub all together.
Sunday 18th October:
Morning activity: 10:30 meet at Westonbirt Arboretum (GL8 8QS), tour with Curator Dan Crowley
Lunch: can be brought with or purchased from the onsite cafe
Transport:
Sleeping:
Please contact Lucy at lucyclairebidgood@hotmail.com to book your place and with any further questions. Please reserve a place by the 10th October.
Saturday, 17 Oct 2026, 10:30 am
Cound, Shrewsbury SY5 6AF, UK
The 10 acres of The Leasowes Gardens and Arboretum which span a discreet protected valley which overlooks the Severn valley and the Wrekin in rural Shropshire is immersed in autumnal hues.
The garden and arboretum has been established by enthusiastic amateurs Tricia and Robert Bland with an eye to colour and dendrological interest. A wide selection of over 700 unusual trees and shrubs including over 140 different maples originating from all around the world have been planted across two meadow fields and a wooded valley covered with bluebells in late April.
Within the super structure of mature larches and interconnected ponds, a wide range of specimen and hybrid rhododendrons and azaleas have been planted as well as shade appreciating trees and shrubs.
–Teas and Cakes available
– Free parking in field
– There will be a plant sale
– Dogs are welcome on leads
– Toilet facilities available
£8 Entry fee
A donation will be made to the IDS and the NGS from the proceeds of the day.
The IDS would like to thank Robert Bland for opening his garden to members and we hope you have a successful day.
19 Oct 2026
Chicago, IL, USA
19 October to 2 November 2026
Organised by Greentours
Coordinated by Marie Christine de Laubarède
Applications to Marie Christine de Laubarède
Email: mail@mclgardendesign.com
Tour details HERE
Wednesday, 28 Oct 2026, 6:00 pm
In this webinar, Emily Conn and Eileen Gahan will be sharing details of their IDS tour to central China, where they travelled through a variety of ecosystems and biodiversity hotspots. From the old city of Xi’an, through the Qinling and Daba Shan mountains, and into the Shennongjia National Geopark, discover the landscape that harbours some of the world's most spectacular and ancient forests.
Eileen Gahan holds a Hort. BSc from the National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, where she was mentored by Seamus O’Brien, Head Gardener at Kilmacurragh. In 2024, she interned for Maurice Foster at White House Farm and at RHS Wisley, where she maintained the Woodland Broad Walk. She is currently researching Aucuba omeiensis as part of her ongoing Masters in Horticultural Science at North Carolina State University, under the mentorship of Mark Weathington, Director of the JC Raulston Arboretum.
-0-0-0-0-0-
IDS Webinar series:
This is one of a series of webinars to be run fortnightly, on Wednesday evenings at 18:00 hrs UK over Autumn/Winter months 2026- 2027. Members and Guests are invited to join the presentations live.
A recording will be available on our open website for a short period following. Our library of lectures is available to all Members of the Society.
Whilst no charge is made to view, we ask you to make a small donation to the IDS Education Fund, which supports our bursary (enabling young dendrologists to join our tours) as well as our expanding educational plans.
Wednesday, 11 Nov 2026, 6:00 pm
Professor Marcel Robischon explores the history of trees used in an agricultural context, from prehistoric forest gardens to 20th century developments, including 3-dimensional agriculture that aims to reduce soil erosion and maximise efficiency of space.
Marcel Robischon is a forest scientist and Professor of Agricultural Ecology at Humboldt Universität zu Berlin. He has been a member of the IDS for around 25 years.
-0-0-0-0-0-
IDS Webinar series:
This is one of a series of webinars to be run fortnightly, on Wednesday evenings at 18:00 hrs UK over Autumn/Winter months 2026- 2027. Members and Guests are invited to join the presentations live.
A recording will be available on our open website for a short period following. Our library of lectures is available to all Members of the Society.
Whilst no charge is made to view, we ask you to make a small donation to the IDS Education Fund, which supports our bursary (enabling young dendrologists to join our tours) as well as our expanding educational plans.
Wednesday, 25 Nov 2026, 6:00 pm
Philippe de Spoelberch will discuss seven main species of Stewartia in cultivation in temperate gardens, along with selected subspecies and varieties.
The collection of Stewartia at Arboretum Wespelaar started with a shipment of cutting material from the Polly Hill Arboretum in Martha's Vineyard during the 1990s. This was highly successful and these cuttings, with seedlings from the Arnold Arboretum, constitute the base of the collection. Of 320 accessions introduced over the last 40 years, some 200 are alive. Floral displays may be discrete but bark and autumn colours are truly spectacular.
Stewartia sinensis at Trewithen, Cornwall (2008)
-0-0-0-0-0-
IDS Webinar series:
This is one of a series of webinars to be run fortnightly, on Wednesday evenings at 18:00 hrs UK over Autumn/Winter months 2026- 2027. Members and Guests are invited to join the presentations live.
A recording will be available on our open website for a short period following. Our library of lectures is available to all Members of the Society.
Whilst no charge is made to view, we ask you to make a small donation to the IDS Education Fund, which supports our bursary (enabling young dendrologists to join our tours) as well as our expanding educational plans.
Wednesday, 24 Feb 2027, 6:00 pm
Royal Society of Chemistry, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BA, UK
The Royal Parks: Gardening for People and Planet
Guest Speaker - Matthew Pottage MHort (RHS)
“The changing climate isn’t kind to gardeners. As soon as you’ve mastered one weather extreme, along comes another. So how will we keep our parks, horticultural areas and green spaces flourishing in this changing world. And how do we do our part by doing it sustainably?”
Matthew is the Head of Horticulture and Landscape Strategy for The Royal Parks in London, and former Curator of RHS Garden Wisley. He has authored his first book, ‘How To Garden When you Rent’ and is a regular panellist on BBC Radio 4’s Gardeners Question Time. He is a trustee for Fulham Palace, and the Chelsea Physic Garden and is part of the RHS Woody Plant Expert Group. In his free time, when not gardening or travelling, he shares his horticultural musings on The Garden Collective.
More details to follow....
23 Mar 2027
Tangier, Morocco
23 March to 31 March 2027
Organised by Greentours
Coordinated by Marie Christine de Laubarède
Applications to Marie Christine de Laubarède
Email: mail@mclgardendesign.com
Four places remaining
Tour details HERE
22 Apr 2027
Downpatrick, UK
22 April to 25 April 2027
Organised by Suzie Scott
Applications to Suzie Scott
Email: suzie@woburnlodge.com
Tour details HERE
25 Apr 2027
Inveraray PA32, UK
25 April to 30 April 2027
Organised by Robert Bland
Assisted by Tom Christian
Applications to Robert Bland
Tour details HERE
3 May 2027
Jersey
3 May to 7 May 2027
Organised by Anna Bradstock
Coordinated by Anthony Dessain
Applications to Anna Bradstock
Tour details HERE
10 May 2027
Dorchester DT2, UK
10 May to 15 May 2027
Organised by Monique Gudgeon
Applications to Monique Gudgeon
Email: mo@sculpturebythelakes.co.uk
The tour is now full, with a waiting list
Tour details HERE
19 May 2027
The Savill Garden, Wick Ln, Englefield Green, Egham TW20 0UJ, UK
23 May 2027
Berlin, Germany
23 May to 30 May 2027
Organised by Charles Aldington
Applications to Charles Aldington
Email: ca@aldingtonlow.com
Tour details HERE
21 Jun 2027
Arusha, Tanzania
21 June to 4 July 2027
Organised by Dr John Grimshaw
Coordinated by Marie-Christine de Laubarède
Applications to Marie-Christine de Laubarède
Email: mail@mclgardendesign.com
The tour is now full, with a waiting list
Tour details HERE
14 Sep 2027
Victoria, Australia
14 September to 4 October 2027
Post-tour: 28 September to 4 October, optional
Organised by Greentours
Assisted by Simon Grant, IDS VP for Australia
Coordinated by Marie-Christine de Laubarède
Applications to Marie-Christine de Laubarède
Email: mail@mclgardendesign.com
Tour details HERE
23 Sep 2027
Melrose TD6, UK
23 September to 26 September 2027
Organised by Jenny Litherland
Applications to Jenny Litherland
Email: litherland@laidlawstiel.com
Tour details HERE
14 Oct 2027
Farnham, UK
14 October to 17 October 2027
Organised by Sarah Webster
Applications to Sarah Webster
Tour details HERE
Members only event
You must be a member and logged in to access further information for this event.
