Happy New Year to you all, Wishing you peace and health in 2026!

Andrew Sinclair, manager of the Gardens, and the Friends were contacted some months ago by Professor Willsdon from School of Culture & Creative Arts at Glasgow University about the possibility of remembering a colleague Dr John Richards who had sadly passed away.

John knew the Gardens well and lived close to the Arboretum which was a place he and his partner Minna held dearly and knew well.

Members may not be aware that donations of money given to Glasgow Botanic Gardens for any purpose are taken by the Council and assimilated into a central fund and not specifically attributed to the Gardens. However if donations are made to the Friends of Glasgow Botanic Gardens which is a registered charity, we are then able to purchase items, usually plant material for the Gardens.

Andrew was able to identify a suitable piece of land in the Arboretum and suggested purchasing Chinese red birches which were sourced from a Scottish grower. Botanically these are Betula utilis subsp albosinensis ‘ Fascination’. Mature specimens can be viewed on the RHS website.

In November five specimens were delivered and thereafter planted by our garden volunteers with supervision from Andrew and Lisa Swift, our CPH teacher and gardener.

They have been planted in one group of three and another nearby group of two trees close to the Kirklee Bridge. They are easily found on entering the arboretum from Kirklee Road on the north side of Kirklee Bridge. Walking a few yards ahead will bring you to the newly planted trees. At present they will have a nursery label attached.

Professor Willsdon, friends and colleagues have already met in the Arboretum to remember John and enjoy the trees.

In the years that lie ahead many visitors will find pleasure in watching the trees mature. We are very grateful for the generosity of John’s friends and colleagues in making this thoughtful donation.