The Poetry of Trees: A Walking and Writing Course

Event Information

Join poet and editor Rachel Piercey on a meander through our beautiful campus and the local area. We will be reading tree poems and meeting local trees of significance, and then settling in to write and share our own poems about these mighty beings.

“A few years ago, I was walking the South Downs Way and realised I could not name several of the trees I saw,” says Rachel. “I enrolled on some Field Studies Council courses to learn to identify different species and it has enriched my life. Combining my love of trees and poetry is a lovely prospect and I can’t wait to join likeminded tree-and-poetry enthusiasts to wander and write!”

This friendly and inspiring day will start with a gentle walk, with opportunities for taking notes and jotting down ideas, followed by a writing workshop. We will read some classics of the genre by writers such as Robert Frost, Philip Larkin and Maya Angelou, as well as more contemporary poems from the likes of Kathleen Jamie, Don Paterson and Moniza Alvi. We'll read poems approaching trees from many different angles, in order to write freshly about their significance. Please feel free to bring your own favourite tree poems, too!

We are delighted that this course is part of the Urban Tree Festival 2022.

There are no requirements for this course and no assessment. Every effort will be made to make the walking route accessible to all, but be prepared for busy roads, uneven ground and possible bad weather.

Location of event

St Mary’s University Campus