Storms make the oak grow deeper roots. A conversation with Benedict Pollard, the "acorn man"

Oak trees lend themselves to proverbs and expressions of wisdom. The poet, George Herbert, is said to have written about these mighty trees sinking deeper roots, as a metaphor for resilience and preparedness for the future.

In this conversation, Mark Vernon speaks with Benedict Pollard, founder of the nursery Mighty Fine Oaks, conservationist, and Fellow of The Linnean Society.

Benedict also looks after the trees of St Giles House, Dorset, where the Realisation Festival takes place. He has invited attendees to plant new trees and also to attend to the beetles in the shrubs and on the land, which is another source of fascination for him.

In this conversation, Benedict describes his deep relationship with trees, oaks in particular, as his intelligence meets theirs.

For more on Benedict and his nursery, Mighty Fine Oaks, see https://www.mightyfineoaks.com/our-mission