EXPERTARBORISTS from across the UK have been working hard to repair the extensive damage caused to Benmore Garden following Storm Éowyn.
A collective of specialists has rallied to assist in clearing the damage.
The storm, which struck Scotland on January 24 with winds reaching 100 miles per hour, brought down over 300 trees and nearly 700 specimens beneath them at Benmore.
The scale of destruction necessitated an extraordinary collaborative effort to restore the site for the spring season. Specialist teams from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, (RBGE), and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, travelled to Benmore and its sister site, Dawyck Botanic Garden in the Scottish Borders, to support local horticulturists.
Eight visiting experts joined the small resident teams, tackling dangerous fallen trees, clearing debris, and ensuring visitor safety. This joint effort underscored the importance of partnerships within the botanical community and
provided a valuable learning opportunity for all involved.
William Hinchliffe, Deputy Curator at RBGE, praised the collaborative spirit, he said: “It has been heart- warming to see the botanic garden and arboricultural communities come together to assist in dealing with one of the most severe weather events of the past decade. The support from Kew has been invaluable – their expertise and sensitivity in handling such delicate work are irreplaceable.”
Benmore, part of RBGE’s network of four gardens alongside Dawyck, Logan, and the Edinburgh site, is a vital hub for global plant conservation and attracts thousands of visitors annually. As teams worked tirelessly to clear the damage, additional help poured in from botanic gardens, arboriculture firms, and even haulage companies. Among the first responders was Matthew Young and his team from The Linn Botanic Garden near Helensburgh, who dedicated nearly two weeks to assisting with recovery efforts.
Tom Fry, Arboricultural Supervisor at Kew, reflected on the experience, he explained: “The damage to these unique collections is devastating, but we hope our small contribution made a meaningful impact. It was a privilege to work alongside such skilled arborists, and it highlighted the importance of international collaboration in mitigating the effects of climate change.”
The RBGE Storm Damage Appeal has now received over £100,000 in donations from the public, aiding the ongoing recovery work. David Knott, Curator of Living Collections at RBGE, acknowledged the significance of the support: “The response has been remarkable. Clearing fallen trees, removing hazardous branches, and assessing what remains will take time, but with the continued support of our colleagues and the public, we are making progress.”
As the clean-up continues, Benmore Botanic Garden is reopening in a limited capacity, welcoming visitors back while long-term plans are put in place to enhance resilience against future extreme weather events. The widespread damage serves as a stark reminder of the increasing impact of climate change, reinforcing the need for global collaboration in plant conservation and landscape management.
