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?

New to Somerville: the Laura Liswood Archive of Women World Leaders

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03 November 2025
New to Somerville: the Laura Liswood Archive of Women World Leaders

Somerville JRF Sheds Light on the Cellular Origins of Sleep

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15 October 2025
Somerville JRF Sheds Light on the Cellular Origins of Sleep

Marking 100 years since the birth of Margaret Thatcher (1925-2013)

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13 October 2025
Marking 100 years since the birth of Margaret Thatcher (1925-2013)