#homeiswheretheheartrotis Marion Sidebottom, 2018, Giclee Fine Art print, 36.96 x 20.8 inches

This photomontage tells the story of PhD student and researcher in Mycology, Emma Gilmartin from Cardiff University. I met Emma at the Ancient Tree Forum Summer Conference in Epping Forest in July 2017 and also spent a day finding out about her research into Beech tree heart rot at seven sites across the UK including Epping Forest. Emma is standing next to and admiring an ancient beech tree, the strands of fungi were grown in a petri dish. Her hand is opening a section of bark on a different tree from her research project in which she sampled the heartwood in various young beech trees around the forest.

You can't see the trees for the woods Marion Sidebottom, 2018, Giclee Fine Art print, 36.96 x 20.8 "

'You can't see the trees for the woods' is a phrase coined by the Head of Conservation Dr Jeremy Dagley due to the amount of ancient & veteran trees in Epping Forest. He has worked in the forest for decades and his passion for the forest and as a naturalist enthuses the people around him. His role is a delicate balancing act between nature, people and organisational needs whilst under financial pressures. The group at the bottom of the picture are attendees of the Ancient Tree Forum conference in 2017 & a concordat was signed for Epping Forest to work in partnership them. This also coincided with the 800th anniversary year of the Forest Charter.

Education rather than enforcement Marion Sidebottom, 2018, Giclee Fine Art print, 36.96 x 20.8 inches

I spent a day with Mick Collins a Constable Keeper in Epping Forest which really opened my eyes to the people pressures the forest is under due to its proximity to the City. Part of his role is to enforce the forest bylaws but he is a strong believer is education too and regularly runs walks so people can learn about the forest. He is also part of a team that are responsible for all aspects of the care of the deer in Epping Forest including the herd in the deer sanctuary. His knowledge on the behaviour and management of the deer was extensive. We visited some of the more remote areas which are owned by the City of London but not officially part of the forest. He showed me some of his favourite trees including the 'Beer Belly Oak' which is in the picture. I was impressed with his knowledge of the forest wildlife and passion for protecting it, but also his friendly demeanour in quite a difficult role.

Come & find the wishing tree Marion Sidebottom, 2018, Giclee Fine Art print, 36.96 x 20.8 inches

In this image, Kate Sharp, a tutor from the Field Studies Council, is leading a family walking session to enable families to explore different aspects of the forest. Many of the activities were centred around trees including the 'Wishing Tree'. The children were tasked to find a beautiful natural object and then place it into the hollow tree whilst making their wish. They were encouraged to notice the little things around them such as seeds, leaves, twigs, stones and to feel the texture of bark. This was a session for all the senses. Some of these children live in the City so the forest environment is a way to get closer to nature.

Into the forest I go… Marion Sidebottom, 2018, Giclee Fine Art print, 36.96 x 20.8 inches

There are many walking groups who meet regularly in the forest. I attended walks run by walk leaders Tricia Moxey and Robert Levene for the Buckhurst Hill Community Association. I spent time talking to the walkers and finding out their motivations for being there. The groups play an important role for local people as it is a way to get to know people and the area and visit more remote parts of the forest. Many people have been part of the same walking group for years and enjoy meeting their friends and doing something active. It is also a way to get closer to nature and observe the changes in the forest during the seasons. Some walkers also regularly collect litter and Robert's pockets were filled by the end of our two-hour walk.

Let there be light... Marion Sidebottom, 2018, Giclee Fine Art print, 36.96 x 20.8 inches

I spent the day with the Epping Forest Conservation Volunteers at Barn Hoppitt. They were haloing (clearing around) a beautiful old crab apple tree which would have eventually died due to being overcrowded and lack of light. I first visited this tree 6 months earlier with the Head of Conservation, Dr Jeremy Dagley. At the time he showed me the fate of other trees nearby which had literally been caged in and died as a result. It was amazing to see such a wide range of people volunteering with this conservation group, using mostly hand tools to free this tree from such a slow and tortuous fate.

Climbing, Challenging, Conserving, Marion Sidebottom, 2018, Giclee Fine Art print, 36.96 x 20.8 inches

I spent two days with the Conservation Arborist teams observing and documenting their work. They are highly skilled and have spent years training and putting this in practice. It's physically and mentally challenging and involves working in all weathers in a difficult environment but the upside is that climbing can also be quite exhilarating. They are working on a conservation program of re-pollarding trees and wood pasture restoration. To the untrained eye their work in the forest may look destructive but they are clearly passionate about the whole forest ecosystem and maintaining biodiversity.

Ecotones create music in the forest Marion Sidebottom, 2018, Giclee Fine Art print, 36.96 x 20.8 inches

In this image Andy Deane, a tutor for the Field Studies Council is running a course on Woodland Ecology and Management. I attended this course, along with a wide range of people with both professional or personal interests for learning about forest management. It was an intensive course which included a morning classroom session and two field visits. One of the key points I picked up on was the importance of Ecotones. Ecotones are the transitional areas between two ecosystems such as the forest and a path or grassland. These areas are important environmentally as they act as a bridge between the two areas, creating a buffer zone that is often rich in wildlife, hence the analogy to 'music in the forest'.

Everything is interconnected Marion Sidebottom, 2018, Giclee Fine Art print, 36.96 x 20.8 inches

I have met Tricia Moxey in various guises over my year here. Her life has been intertwined with the forest since 1970 when she moved here with her husband who was the first warden of the Field Centre at High Beach. She is an educator and naturalist with a deep passion for the forest and trees. We talked and talked about the environment, forest ecosystems, fungi, pressures on the forest, and the interconnections between all living things. Although she has now retired, she volunteers for many groups in Epping Forest and is keen to share her knowledge with anyone who shows an interest.