Into the trees: an urban climbing quest

I’ve moved around a lot. Short contracts, exciting projects, new places. This is pretty standard for anyone working in nature conservation, and very standard for science. With each new place has come new urban landscapes to explore, new wild spaces to be found and most importantly; new trees to climb. “Trees? Climb? How old are you?”

Photo by Mark Hurrell

Back in 2015 I had recently moved to Cambridge to start a job at Birdlife International. I was excited to be part of an amazing conservation community within the David Attenborough building (I watched the man himself abseil down the green wall at the opening ceremony – legend). Soon my friends and I - keen rock climbers & nature lovers - took to the trees at lunch time. Turns out that trees can be climbed much like rock climbing routes - with some trunks being full blown boulder routes!

Our aim was to get our colleagues out of the office, to explore the parks and college gardens, and to find magnificent trees across the city. At first some people found the prospect amusing and strange, but soon we had newcomers joining in and making friends whilst in the branches of magnificent redwoods, gnarly oaks and billowing willows. We’d picnic in the lower branches and as summer came around we’d watch sunsets from lofty heights and glimpse bats flittering around as dusk settled. A few times we climbed with ropes (a necessity for Jungle Tree - covered in ivy the size of thighs that could be free climbed with a top rope), but more often than not we’d solo; shimmying and carefully scampering within the urban canopy.

Redwood photo by Simon Byford

As is often the case for anyone working in nature conservation, many of the club soon moved to pastures new. I myself moved to Suffolk and eventually down to Devon. Despite the move, I’ve always taken comfort in seeking out the trees of a new town or city.

Ipswich, my base for three years, was host to some awesome wooded giants. 'Octopus' - a sprawling Cedar of Lebanon with long sweeping branches could be found in Chantry Park. Six of the eight branches could be shimmied up from the ground and hundreds of families must have played around its base over the years. Bourne Park, my local, was home to a grand old oak standing proud in the centre of the football pitch. This particular chap boasted a branchy armchair, perfect as dusk settled and bats started to whirl above. Christchurch park - one of the historical gems of the town - was full to the brim of gnarled sweet chestnuts full of knots and stumps; the perfect hand holds. My friend Lucy pointed out the "Rhino Tree" to me one Summer - I didn't ever climb it but one of its branches bared an uncanny resemblance to a beautifully robust African ungulate.

Orwell Country Park, in my eyes, was the real gem of Ipswich. Here, ancient woodland hugged the river on the outskirts of town with rugged oaks peering over the soft cliffs, keeping watch over the wader filled mud flats. The most magnificent of all stood in the centre of the wood - Oakenthor Thunderbranch. This "Old Famous Tree" (as labelled on google maps) was many many meters in circumference, knotted and twisted and must have been more than 700 years old. Well worth a visit.

Soon I moved down to Plymouth, Devon, and the quest for new trees was renewed. I took to my bike to seek out the cities far flung wild corners and was excited to soon discover a book – Plymouths Favourite Trees - to help me on my quest. Sadly, not all the trees can still be found standing but it is lovely reading the stories associated with each tree. I have now visited all but a few of these beasts, and have climbed many others along the way too. From a cemetery copper beech providing solace during lockdown, to the Hoe Tree, providing amazing sea and city views from the top of its lofty branches - there are some real beauties to be found. 'Old Man Garages' was an unexpected find - an ancient sweet chestnut tucked behind an old estate at the far end of the city and a girthy Cypress with perfectly shaped branches for hammock-like lounging was quite the treat.

Climbing trees has enabled me to get to know the wilder side of the places I have lived in, has given me purpose when I've moved to a place full of strangers, and this year especially, has provided solace through some strange and solitary times.

Photo by Matt Holden

As a conservationist I have always understood the ecological importance of trees. My climbing quest has only heightened my appreciation for every individual - each the result of a unique combination of biotic and abiotic interactions. It has fostered a more prominent desire to protect them too - a classic example of David Attenborough's famous quote ringing true:

“No one will protect what they don't care about; and no one will care about what they have never experienced”

Since my love of trees has grown, so too has my support for charities such as the Woodland Trust, who do incredible work for trees and woodlands up and down the country. Check out their website here and the Ancient Tree inventory here.

Do you have a favourite tree? Have you climbed it yet?