Botanical Shakespeare author, Gerit Quealy, together with fellow authors Paul Wood (Tree Hunting), Olivia Sprinkel (To Hear the Trees Speak), Robert Kingham (Doing the Lambeth Walk), Friends of Bloomsbury Square and other guests are hosting A Tree Hugger’s Trail around Bloomsbury Square on Saturday 17th May.

The Trail will incorporate a tour of the garden square with insights into local history and fascinating details about Shakespeare’s take on trees. Shakespearean author and actress, Gerit Quealy, will also share the bard’s gardening tips and an homage to the tree varieties mentioned in Shakespeare. Attendees should be prepared to hug a tree or two and ‘speak the speech’ of Shakespeare himself.

The event will conclude at the Cordon Bleu culinary café in Pied Bull Yard off the Square and adjacent to London Review of Books. Participants will have the chance to chat over delicious food and drinks and perhaps have tree tarot readings and book signings if desired.

This magical event that invites city dwellers to get up close and personal with nature is part of this year’s Urban Tree Festival, which began on Saturday 10th May and will run until Sunday 18th May at various London locations.

The festival comprises over 40 individual events, including walks, talks, webinars, art-based events, health and wellbeing initiatives and a writing competition. It is organised annually by a team of dedicated arboriculturalists, authors, academics, students, urban foresters and industry specialists.

The delightful ramble, A Tree Huggers Trail, will commence at 11.00 on Saturday close to the north entrance of Bloomsbury Square, behind the statue of Bedford. Event tickets cost £5.00 and booking is essential. You can book your tickets here.

To find out more about the Urban Tree Festival please visit www.urbantreefestival.org