Talk on trees in town tonight

THE final event in the 202324 series of winter talks in Helensburgh organised by the Royal Scottish Geographical Society (RSGS) takes place tonight (Thursday, March 28) when Professor Roger Crofts will talk about ‘The Future of Trees’.

No-one in Helensburgh needs reminding of the visual appeal of our trees, especially at this time of year, with the cherry and apple blossoms on the town’s much-admired street trees just about to burst into bloom.

But tree are more than that. They are a vital source of life for every creature on Earth: they manage the water cycle, create rain and produce water vapour, store water for human use and help in flood prevention, store carbon and other nutrients, are home to many dependent species, provide livelihoods for many human communities, and are wonderful places to visit and enjoy.

Roger’s talk will celebrate the role of trees in our lives, and consider how to ensure that we have well-maintained trees, woods and forests, with more trees of the most appropriate species in the right places, and managed over centuries.

A former chair of the RSGS board of trustees, Roger, who received the society’s highest award, the Scottish Geographical Medal, in 2021, studied at Liverpool University before embarking on a career that included 10 years of government advisory work, chief executive of Scottish Natural Heritage, head of the Highlands and Islands Tourism Division, and three years as chair of the National Committee of the International Union for Conservation.

His talk takes place at the Victoria Halls in Sinclair Street tonight (Thursday) at 7.30pm. Admission is free for RSGS members, as well as for students and under-18s, and £10 for the general public.