The Great Trees of Cumbria

About

An art exhibition showcasing the great trees of Cumbria.

The Victorian writer and philosopher, John Ruskin, famously described a particular view of the Lake District as ‘The Gateway to Paradise’ – and he wasn’t wrong. Cumbria is renowned throughout the world for its soaring mountains and shimmering lakes but this unique region has other tales to tell. Nestled amongst this spectacular landscape are some of Europe’s most ancient and magnificent trees.

The unique Cumbrian climate has allowed some of these trees to grow, unhindered by human interference, to spectacular proportions. Some of these trees, such as Wordsworth’s fabled Yews in Borrowdale, are over two thousand years old and some of them are just breathtakingly huge. The Grand Fir in Stagshaw gardens is the tallest tree in Cumbria and the tallest of it’s species in the UK. Other trees are not so old or so huge but have fascinating stories of their own. The Rebel Tree, in Clifton, is a three hundred year old oak that conceals the bodies of soldiers that fell during the last battle on English soil and there is a tree on the shores of Lake Coniston that, despite being badly damaged by lightning, continues to survive and gave hope to a woman battling against cancer. The tree is known as The Courageous Tree and was once voted the best tree in Cumbria.

Artist and Cumbriaphile, Tony Galuidi, has spent years seeking out these fabulous trees and has created an exhibition of exquisite pencil drawings. Tony, who has hosted  a number of solo exhibitions throughout the UK, says ‘Creating the drawings is very intensive work but hunting for these awesome, characterful giants has been such a joy and learning how so many of these veteran trees are interwoven with our lives and social histories has been a revelation’.   

The exhibition, which will be staged at Brantwood in Coniston, will be curated by Ruskin scholar and art historian, Howard Hull. The exhibition will run between June 7th and August 10th and all proceeds will be donated to Knoxwood Wildlife Rescue, near Carlisle.