A new Radio 3 series of Somerville Fellow Fiona Stafford’s The Meaning of Trees will air at 10.45pm from Monday to Friday this week.

Horse Chestnut, Cypress, Cherry, Holly and Birch will each be a the subject of a full episiode, as Professor Stafford considers the cultural and literary significance of each species.

You can also read our 2014 feature on Fiona Stafford’s research into the meaning of trees.

To see photos of a few of the Somerville quad trees, see the recent Facebook post.

Further reading?

Meet Francesca Arduini, Somerville’s New Tutorial Fellow in Economics

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10 October 2025
Meet Francesca Arduini, Somerville’s New Tutorial Fellow in Economics

Barbara Harvey’s Funeral

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09 October 2025
Barbara Harvey’s Funeral

Meet Dale Dorsey, Somerville’s New Tutorial Fellow in Philosophy

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02 October 2025
Meet Dale Dorsey, Somerville’s New Tutorial Fellow in Philosophy