Wood for the Trees
Events
Wood for the Trees programme of events
Explore the Wood for the Trees programme of events taking place at the Tab Centre, 3 Godfrey Pl, London E2 7NT from 14-20 September 2026.
Screening: Forested Future
Monday 14 September, 6.30–9.30pm
AHEC presents an exclusive screening of the feature documentary Forested Future. Directed by filmmaker Petr Krejčí and inspired by the book A Trillion Trees by Fred Pearce, the film is a visually rich, wide-ranging exploration of how, in an age of climate crisis, our relationship with trees and forests might hold the key to a positive future. Following the lives and work of the people whose lives are woven into the story of America’s hardwood forests, Forested Future makes the compelling case for a traditional model of land stewardship in tune with the cycles of nature and the rhythm of the forest.
Held at the Tab Centre, the screening will be followed by a drinks reception, with live music from folk musician Van Wagner and an opportunity to preview AHEC's exhibition Wood for the Trees, ahead of its opening on Tuesday 15 September.
Workshops: Mouthbow-making with Van Wagner
Tuesday 15 September to Friday 18 September, 11.00–11.30am
Learn how to make and play the world’s oldest stringed instrument. Consisting of a flexible curved strip of hardwood with a taut string, the mouthbow is a traditional folk instrument of America’s Appalachian Mountains, as well as among various Indigenous groups. The player places a part of the bow or string near their open mouth, changing the pitch by moving their lips and tongue.
Every day of Shoreditch Design Week, Pennsylvanian folk musician Van Wagner will be hosting mouthbow workshops in the main hall of AHEC’s Wood for the Trees exhibition at the Tab Centre, showing up to 20 people a day how to construct their own wooden mouthbows and create authentic music.
In conversation: Fred Pearce
Tuesday 15 September, 5–7pm
English environmental journalist and writer Fred Pearce is the author of A Trillion Trees: How We Can Reforest Our World, both a celebration of our planet’s arboreal beauty and an impassioned call to preserve and restore its forests. Fred’s book formed the foundation for AHEC’s documentary Forested Future (screening on 14 September), and in turn, the exhibition ‘Wood for the Trees’.
In conversation with Andy Fryers, sustainability consultant and former Sustainability Director of the Hay Festival, Fred will discuss sustainable forestry practice, the ideas behind A Trillion Trees, and his new book Despite It All – A Handbook For Climate Hopefuls, followed by a Q&A. Signed copies will be available to purchase at the event.
Party: Wood for the Trees
Wednesday 16 September, 6.30–8pm
Join AHEC, exhibition designers Mitre & Mondays and timber craft specialists Benchmark for an evening drinks party celebrating the immersive storytelling exhibition Wood for the Trees at Shoreditch Design Week.
As well as an introduction to the exhibition and the world of hardwood forestry by AHEC’s European Director David Venables and the project partners, the evening includes live music and a conversation with Pennsylvanian folk musician and forest campaigner Van Wagner, as well as a sphere-oiling workshop, giving participants the opportunity to prepare their own timber sphere to take home.
Class: Forestry with Van Wagner
Thursday 17 September and Friday 18 September, 4.30–5.30pm
In conjunction with AHEC’s Wood for the Trees exhibition at the Tab Centre, forester, educator and Pennsylvanian folk musician Van Wagner introduces participants to the forest ecosystem, with an exclusive talk and a programme of hands-on activities designed to unlock insights both into individual wood species and the forest as a whole.
Discover how trees communicate with each other via their root systems; see first-hand how trees cool the air around them; and learn how to calculate and map different wood densities to specific uses and applications.
Recommended for ages 12 and above.