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?

Somerville Team are Winners at Oxford Edge Hackathon

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01 June 2026
Somerville Team are Winners at Oxford Edge Hackathon

Dame Elan Closs Stephens becomes President of the Learned Society of Wales

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21 May 2026
Dame Elan Closs Stephens becomes President of the Learned Society of Wales

The Diplomatic View: Remembering the James Bryce Memorial Lecture 2026

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21 May 2026
The Diplomatic View: Remembering the James Bryce Memorial Lecture 2026