Event will 'shine a light' on Jersey park's trees

Trees in Howard Davis Park will be illuminated throughout the week for the event

An event aimed at encouraging people in Jersey to see "just how special trees are" is set to return for its second year.

The Dreaming Trees illuminations transforms the trees in Howard Davis Park on the island using lights and sound.

The free event will return to the park in February for its second year.

About 30,000 people came through the park's gates to see the lit-up trees last February, the government said.

About 30,000 people attended last year's Dreaming Trees event over the course of the week, according to the government

This year's event will run each evening from Saturday 10 to Saturday 17 February, from 18:00 to 21:00 GMT.

The illuminations this year are set to be themed around the four elements: earth, wind, water and fire.

The government said the lights would showcase scientific research about the ways in which trees can communicate with each other.

'Beyond expectations'

Bruce Labey, senior operations manager for Parks and Gardens, said: "The reaction we got to Dreaming Trees last year was beyond our expectations and we didn't have to think too long or hard about whether to do it again.

"The aftermath of Storm Ciaran has shown just how special trees are to our island and Howard Davis Park was among the areas to suffer significant damage so there's certainly a somewhat poignant feel to this year's event.

"As well as showing off the beauty of the park, there's also an educational element to Dreaming Trees.

"The project was inspired by research about the ways in which trees communicate with each other via a 'Wood Wide Web'. It led us to thinking about what they'd dream about.

"We're using these illuminations to, quite literally, shine a light on some of the fascinating research in this area."

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