nities since 1997.
FIRST WEEK OF DECEMBER
Green Close Studios has successfully established Tree Dressing Day.
Trees are venerated all over the world in different forms and the custom of Tree Dressing takes place at different times of the year.
Tree Dressing Day is held during the first weekend in December at the end of National Tree Week; it aims to celebrate the value and importance of trees by decorating them socially and publicly. Using creativity as a means of drawing attention to the trees we take for granted, it is hoped to motivate people into looking after trees within their own environment.
Artist Sue Flowers and Green Close Studios in Melling have successfully established the Lune Valley Tree Dressing Day; having run Tree Dressing projects for the last two years as part of Lune Valley Artworks, they expect interest and celebration to develop and thrive within the Lune Valley over the coming year.
During 1997, following a series of talks, creative workshops were held with Hornby Primary School, Leck Playgroup and Melling-with-Wrayton School, and members of the Parish and community of Melling-with-Wrayton. Over 17 trees were decorated and Melling School not only’crowned’ over 9 trees in their grounds but wrote their school production in collaboration with Pam Sandiford exploring the identity of trees and the tradition of bringing in the Christmas fir tree.
During 1998, community groups continued to decorate trees, and workshops were held with Leck School, Leck Playgroup, Melling School and Halton Cubs in conjunction with St. John’s Hospice at Slyne.
During 1998 the project was strongly artist-led and 7 artists worked to commission to create their own response to Tree Dressing Day, decorating over 20 trees. These included musicians Jon & Judy Surridge, writer Pam Sandiford, Coppice worker Rebecca Oakes and artists Hilli McManus, Hugh Miller, Pete Flowers and Sue Flowers who worked in conjunction with local tree surgeon Gavin Charlesworth.
A Code For Tree Dressing
Make sure that the decorations you make or use are safe for people and wild life, that nothing sharp or heavy will fall on people's heads, that the objects are fastened securely without damaging the tree. Never use nails to fasten objects to the tree - they may damage the vital cambium layer just under the bark and could eventually cause damage in the saw mill. The tree specialist will advise you if you are in any doubt what may be harmful to the tree or wild life.
Never climb a tree or ladder on your own without help from someone who can ensure that the ladder is held securely at ground level. For any activity that involves climbing a reasonable sized tree in a public place you should employ the help of tree surgeons. The tree specialist will be able to recommend good firms.
Make sure you are well insured against injury to the 'Dressers' ; and to the general public for the duration of your event. Always ensure you have full permission from the landowners for the event and that your decorations are fully removable after the event.
Let Us Know Your Plans
Please let us know if you are intending to make your own Tree Dressing Ceremony this year. We may be able to help with publicity. We should also welcome documentation of your event - Photographs, a report on how it went and if you are considering celebrating Tree Dressing Day again.
Common Ground
Lune Valley Artworks acknowledges the information, help and advice received from Common Ground, which has been used in the production of this web site and the formation of Lune Valley Tree Dressing Day.
Common Ground is a charity working to help people conserve their local landscape and place with information and ideas, often with the collaboration of the arts.
Contact Common Ground at www.commonground.org.uk
