Man who died after being hit by falling tree in Storm Boelo named as world-renowned royal gardener

Richard Baines, the long-serving curator of Logan Botanic Garden, died after a falling tree killed him in Dumfries and Galloway, in south west Scotland. The organisation confirmed the world-renowned horticulturalist died in a tragic accident after going for a walk near his home, just outside Castle Douglas. The garden in Port Logan, which makes up a part of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh's Living Collection, penned a touching tribute to the "very genuine and warm" gardener. David Knott, the director of horticulture at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, said his team was "desperately sad, devastated" by the loss. "He had a warmth, a genuine sense of humour, he always made time for individuals and that's one of the tributes that has been said many times this morning," Mr Knott told BBC Scotland News. "He always found time for his colleagues. And he was always very supportive in providing opportunities for the next generation of horticulturalists. He was a very genuine and warm human being." In a formal statement, he added: "Richard Baines, the curator of Logan Botanic Garden sadly passed away on Sunday, October 25, during Storm Boelo, after a tragic accident while walking near his home. "He was primarily responsible for a number of significant developments and initiatives at Logan including the first ‘all green’ public conservatory powered by green energy in the UK. "During his tenure, Logan also successfully gained a number of accolades including being voted the ‘Best Garden in the UK’ by Which in 2021. "Logan was also the first garden in Scotland to gain gold for Green Business Tourism award and install vehicle electric charging points, culminating in Logan being awarded 5 Star status as a Visitor Attraction by VisitScotland. "It will, however, be for his passion and enthusiasm for plants that he will be remembered through significantly increasing and expanding the plant collection at Logan, participating and leading fieldwork in China, Canary Islands and Vietnam from which seven plant species are currently being published that are new to science. "Richard’s contribution as an enthusiastic plantsman and Curator at Logan and to the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh’s wider work and culture, has been immeasurable, and he will be deeply missed by many." LATEST ON STORM BOELO: Over the weekend, Mr Baines was just one of two people who died as Britain was hit with heavy rain and strong winds. Yellow wind warnings are in place for western regions across the UK today and tomorrow while gales and rainy conditions persist. The alerts are in place from 6pm today until 3am tomorrow. The warning covers parts of north west England, Northern Ireland, south west England, Strathclyde, south west Scotland and Wales – with forecasts predicting gusts of 45-50mph inland and 60-65mph along coasts and over high ground. Another yellow Met Office warning for strong winds and potentially damaging gusts is in place from 3am on Tuesday to midnight for the far north of England, Scotland, and the far north east of Northern Ireland. Over the weekend, some pockets of the UK were battered with 84mph winds while Scotland received a third of a month's rainfall over just two days during Storm Boelo. Sharing his condolences with the two men who died, First Minister John Swinney said: "My deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the two people who have tragically lost their lives as a result of Storm Boelo. "My thoughts are with all those affected by the damage and I thank the emergency services working through the night to keep people safe." Over the weekend, two women were hospitalised after being hit by another falling tree in Aberfeldy, Perth and Kinross. Across the rest of the country, 838,700 properties were left without power - with 39,000 still struggling this morning. Follow related topics: