Into The Woods

Maverick Gary Munday is scaling new heights in conservation

- POLLY PULLAR

THERE is a Greek proverb: "A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they know they shall never sit." The trees I planted nearly 25 years ago on our small farm are already decent-sized woods that provide shade. Had I known the speed at which the red alder whips planted beside the burn near the house would grow, I would have chosen another species.

They began to reach for the skies with alacrity, putting on height and girth, and quickly became enormous. Last winter, during repeated gales, one closest to the house began to cause concern, for it had an ominous lean towards our roof. It had to come out before there was a disaster. Enter our arboreal expert friend, Gary Munday.

Most country children enjoy climbing trees. Some are cautiously nervous, while others seem to have the ability to shin up like squirrels. Gary is 60 this year but has lost none of the climbing skills of his youth. Growing up near Beacon Hill in Surrey, his childhood was dominated by tree climbing and exploration. He enjoyed bird watching, listening to nightjars and catching adders for closer study around Thursley National Nature Reserve.

Gary, a countryman in the old-fashioned sense of the word, is a maverick who has never fitted into a mould. He didn't enjoy school or exams, preferring an outdoor life, and is a brilliant example of the benefits of practical learning.

His curiosity and love of nature have led to encyclopaedic knowledge on many subjects. These include arboriculture and horticulture, tree identification and classification. He understands how things grow, their strengths and weaknesses, the habitats that they suit and their relationships to one another and fungi. He's also an expert in understanding the worrying problems associated with disease. He can glance at a tree, assess whether it is safe or has health issues, and know the best way to tackle problems.