AN estate worker has told of the transformation of an arboretum during his three decades in the role. 

Iain King has spent the past 30 years dedicating his working career to the protection of Markshall Estate’s 951-hectare landscape set in the heart of Essex countryside.

After leaving college at the age of 17, he joined the team and hasn’t looked back since. 

“When I first joined the team in 1992, there was just the walled garden and immediate surrounding areas,” Iain said. “I remember it being the first year of being open to the public and a new visitor centre. It was all very exciting.” 

Things have progressed massively since then. Iain has helped to plant thousands of trees across the arboretum as part of the master plan and develop the geographic zones, which form the 80 ha site. 

“I worked off the original master plan when I first started at Markshall Estate,” he said.

“The first place I worked on was the Europe geographic zone, planting trees down the hill leading to the visitor centre.”

Forestry Journal:

Iain was also involved with the build of the walled garden in 2003. When he first started, the walled garden was vacant with just a few lonely trees dotted within. 

Alongside fellow colleagues, including his supervisor of over 20 years, Ian Chandler, he saw the project to the end. Since the walled garden reopening in 2003 visitors have created many fond memories and the gardens have seen three sculpture exhibitions.

Ian said: “Iain’s talents range from pruning trees to landscaping major components of the arboretum. We’re so thankful for his commitment to the development and safeguarding of the estate.”