Chapter one
Introduction
These parks are in fact an Arboretum, a garden of trees, they come from throughout the world as well as locally and the stories and anecdotes I have listed reflects this international nature. There are also some fabulous shrubs and beds, but in the interest of my commission I have focused on the trees, with the last section having a list of all trees present in this park.
Chapter two
Indian Chestnut
As you step into the park past the Photinia hedge pictured, you will be greeted by a moderate Indian Chestnut who's lanterns are purple rather than white, and who's conkers are black. Note that the Photinia hedge is red in spring and turns greener through the year.
There is also a White-thorn Tree or Hawthorn to your right against the fence.
The fair maid, on the first of May
Did go into the field
On the first of May
And wash in the dew of a white thorn tree
and will ever after handsome be
(Old English Rhyme – anon)
The Hawthorn is a wiry and tenacious tree, Chaucer wrote in the 14th century about a ceremony of retrieving Hawthorn bows.
'forth go all the court, both most and least, to fetch the flouris fresh.'
At the time of Chaucer in the fourteenth century the Hawthorn would have been generally in bloom on the 1st of May but today does not flower until about two weeks later. This is not due to global warming but to the changes in the calendar which took place in 1752. The English calendar year began on Lady day which is the 25th March, but the European timetable began on January 1st. There were often problems with contracts and deeds across these boarders so the Calendar Act was created designed to realign England with Europe.
May day is now technically two weeks earlier in real terms when related to the seasons and planets rotation. These May photographs pictured were taken 21th May 2014 and show a full bloom coming almost three weeks later than May day.
There is also a White-thorn Tree or Hawthorn to your right against the fence.
The fair maid, on the first of May
Did go into the field
On the first of May
And wash in the dew of a white thorn tree
and will ever after handsome be
(Old English Rhyme – anon)
The Hawthorn is a wiry and tenacious tree, Chaucer wrote in the 14th century about a ceremony of retrieving Hawthorn bows.
'forth go all the court, both most and least, to fetch the flouris fresh.'
At the time of Chaucer in the fourteenth century the Hawthorn would have been generally in bloom on the 1st of May but today does not flower until about two weeks later. This is not due to global warming but to the changes in the calendar which took place in 1752. The English calendar year began on Lady day which is the 25th March, but the European timetable began on January 1st. There were often problems with contracts and deeds across these boarders so the Calendar Act was created designed to realign England with Europe.
May day is now technically two weeks earlier in real terms when related to the seasons and planets rotation. These May photographs pictured were taken 21th May 2014 and show a full bloom coming almost three weeks later than May day.
Chapter three
Hawthorn
Hawthorn is sometimes thought of as an unlucky tree, perhaps this may be attributed to the period The Black Death was rife around the 14 Century. So many died that the grounds were left uncultivated and hedgerow suckers of Hawthorn sprung up everywhere.
Hawthorn can also be used as a rootstock in the practise of grafting, which is the splicing of two trees together. It is graft-compatible with many fruit trees but its suckering habit (new shoots from the roots) can be problematic.
The medical benefits of Hawthorn are still being studied today as in 2008 Cochrane released a paper showing that extracts from this tree where used to treat chronic heart conditions and also cardio vascular disease, though to what degree of success is not revealed. In Celtic lore the tree was was once said to heal the broken heart, which is an interesting link to the medical study above.
Hawthorn can also be used as a rootstock in the practise of grafting, which is the splicing of two trees together. It is graft-compatible with many fruit trees but its suckering habit (new shoots from the roots) can be problematic.
The medical benefits of Hawthorn are still being studied today as in 2008 Cochrane released a paper showing that extracts from this tree where used to treat chronic heart conditions and also cardio vascular disease, though to what degree of success is not revealed. In Celtic lore the tree was was once said to heal the broken heart, which is an interesting link to the medical study above.
Chapter four
Purple Smoke Bush
Further up on your right the Smokebush has been heavily pruned back and is struggling behind the Bay tree.
The royal Purple Smokebush is a deciduous tree that reaches a mature height of only 15 feet with a similar spread. Its oval leaves are deep purple when young and gradually turn a dusty forest green. It's name comes from its foliage and wispy flowers that bloom in early summer resembling puffs of smoke when viewed from afar.
The royal Purple Smokebush is a deciduous tree that reaches a mature height of only 15 feet with a similar spread. Its oval leaves are deep purple when young and gradually turn a dusty forest green. It's name comes from its foliage and wispy flowers that bloom in early summer resembling puffs of smoke when viewed from afar.
Cross over the footbridge, the Ash on your left is referenced first. Alternatively, if crossing the bridge is not easy then tap the 'help' button below to open the chapter and read on.