Big carvings and family fun as Treefest returns to Westonbirt, The National Arboretum

Festival: Treefest, Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, Tetbury, August 25-27 2012

Last year, the Forestry Commission’s annual Treefest was given a new look. This time around, there's a new addition again in the form of huge, fairytale-inspired sculptures, crafted in intricate shapes which will take centre stage for a series of towering creations as part of a new play trail in Silk Wood.

“We know many visitors want to see big carving, so this year Treefest will have three expert carvers creating pieces to stay on site after the event,” says Simon Hough, the Recreation Manager at the Arboretum in Gloucestershire.

“We hope visitors will enjoy seeing these sculptures take shape across the weekend.”

Cries of timber might resound most vociferously during the dismantling of a 150-year-old Douglas fir, marked for removal by an expert tree team due to the “damaging effects” of an invasive fungus, with the offcut destined for a major exhibition later this year at the Arnolfini gallery in Bristol.

Live music, rugged woodland skills demonstrations, cookery demonstrations in a special Food Hall and more than 100 exhibitors will also take part in this year’s festival.

• Runs 10am-5pm. Tickets £10/£8 (£12/£10 on the gate, weekend ticket £30/£26, free for under-18s). Book online.