Forum Topic

Remarkable trees in Brentford and surroundings

I was walking along the Thames path, at Richmond, past Asgill House, admiring the large Copper Beech (Fagus Sylvatica Purpurea) tree in their garden and took this photo:On the wall is a plaque:I tracked down the website, ‘The Great Trees of London Project’, which awarded this plaque:http://www.treesforcities.com/greattrees/treesforlondon.asp Another of my favourite trees is in this collection is a London Plane tree (Platanus x hispanica)  and is the tallest London Plane in London. It is 100 metres down the Thames river path from Richmond Bridge towards Petersham, on the Surrey side. It is in front of the Gaucho (used to be the Canyon) restaurant. I snapped this one from the opposite bank of the river.We must have a few remarkable trees in Brentford and surrounding area. What are your favourites? It may be its shape, age, rarity, colour, size which gives it its striking effect.They could be on our streets, gardens, parks, next to the river and canal or indeed in the many great parks Syon Park, Boston Manor, Osterley, Kew Gardens, Richmond Park…..

Duncan Walker ● 6533d66 Comments

Hi EricThanks for the tip..we have many cameras at the ready!

Jim Lawes ● 6372d

I haven't checked all the hits on this subject but there is one tree in Brentford, unfortunately hidden away, but on par with the ones in Boston Manor Park and that is the large Cedar tree located in the grounds of the appropriately named house ('The Cedars') in Upper Butts leading to Church Walk and on the corner with Somerset Road.For a better view of the tree pay a visit to the Health Centre car park

Eric Dicker ● 6372d

Jim Lawes ● 6377d

Thanks for that John.TW8.com can be very educational!!I'm afraid the bottles were empty! (TW8.com can be very disappointing too! ;0)

Jim Lawes ● 6385d

Its  a type of Cupressus (Cypress)Please send the champagne asap

John Todd ● 6385d

Most unusual you will agree. You don't notice these sorts of things flying by in a car!

Jim Lawes ● 6385d

One of the joys of giving out leaflets for a Charity or Political Party around the streets of the Borough, is the magic of seeing a delightful front garden and front door area.In Isleworth I came across this tree..and wondered what type it was>----------------------------------------------------------Surprisingly there are champagne bottles hanging from some lower branches and the rockery at the base is most attractive.  The front garden is a delight to the eye.--------------------------------------------------------Th

Jim Lawes ● 6385d

Tim, that's fascinating stuff about the Pacific Madrone (Arbutus Menziessi)and Archibald Menzies. I've just been reading up on him and he certainly was special. I see he also introduced the Monkey Puzzle tree (Araucaria araucana) to Britain. There are some fine examples of that in Kew Gardens. I don't know whether Kew Gardens also has any Arbutus Menziessi, but I will now look out for them. The peeling bark is a good clue.

Duncan Walker ● 6498d

Duncan thank you for the Petersham Village website, I spent time looking at it and getting very nostalgic about the area. I think the view from Richmond Hill has always been one of my favourites. Spent many happy hours in Richmond when I was a young girl, skating, shopping or just sitting beside the river.      Yes the Beach Bill saved the beautiful Oregon Coast from the ravages of uncontrolled development. Forty years ago Oregon's Governor and politicians of the day showed great foresight in passing this bill. There is a group today called Oregon Shores Conservation Group that keeps a vigilant watch to make sure that it is not ignored.     The Madrone tree is very interesting with its peeling bark, and I understand that it benefits from forest fires, as the fires destroy the overhead canopy of trees, providing more light and space for the madrones to grow.

Doris M. Lediard ● 6498d

2007 is the 250th Anniversary of Vancouver's birth and the Canadian High Commissioner attended the Vancouver Day Service at Petersham and laid a wreath on the grave.I believe that a Pacific Madrone (a native tree of the west coast of North America) has been planted near the grave. Latin name - Arbutus menziesii is derived from the Scottish botanist Menzies who sailed with Vancouver.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_Madrone

Tim Henderson ● 6498d

"The grave is well kept and next to the wall in a lovely picturesque churchyard"...all of which can change with the notion of digging up and re-using grave yards!  Who else would throw their Country's history away?  :-(

Sarah Felstead ● 6499d

Yes, his name was given to Vancouver. The church is in fact in Petersham, next to Ham:http://www.petershamvillage.co.uk/St%20Peter's%20Church.htmThe grave is well kept and next to the wall in a lovely picturesque churchyard. It's a pleasant walk from Richmond Bridge along the Thames footpath west, then crossing Petersham meadow, past the cattle grazing and up a narrow lane to the Church. Afterwards a snack in Petersham nurseries and then back along the river.

Duncan Walker ● 6499d

How interesting that George Vancouver is buried in S.Peter's Churchyard in Ham. I never knew that.    He probably is responsible for the naming of Vancouver Island, and the town of Vancouver in Canada.

Doris M. Lediard ● 6499d

Well Doris, Cape Perpetua looks a beautiful place. I’ve just spent a pleasant hour wandering around the Oregon Coast on the web. I like the idea that the coast is public property and no private development is allowed. I found the giant Sitka Spruce at Cape Perpetua,http://www.yachats.info/history/Giant_Spruce.htmlI read that:“Captain James Cook, on his third and final voyage of discovery, steered the HMS Resolution northward from Hawaii in search of a Northwest Passage. On March 6, 1778, he sighted land, the Oregon Coast. He recorded in his journal, "The land appeared to be of moderate height, diversified with hill and Valley and almost everywhere covered with wood." The passage would elude him, and much of the charting of the Pacific Northwest, would later be done by a sailor who served on the Resolution named George Vancouver, but Cook left his mark on the diversified coast by naming a prominent cape rising sharply out of the Pacific Ocean. He called it Cape Perpetua, having first sighted it on March 7, St. Perpetua Day.”Captain George Vancouver mentioned above as first charting the coast, is buried near us in St Peter’s churchyard in Ham.

Duncan Walker ● 6501d

Good idea, but I found the website very difficult to use to locate the trees. They could do with a much better design so the trees can be more easily located and seen.It would be useful if they had links to parks and gardens which already have registers of trees, for instance, Kew Gardens. Maybe this project could make these more accessible to the public on line.

Duncan Walker ● 6501d

Oops! Sorry about the duplicate posting. I do not understand how that happened. My apologies.

Doris M. Lediard ● 6501d

Duncan thanks for the website on the enchanted trees. Truly a magical place at night!        Yes we have trees galore in Oregon. Around our house we have coastal pine, cedar and fir trees, all evergreen. The most common deciduous tree is the Alder which grows like a weed around us. They spring up in the most unappropriate places, along with Huckleberry and Salal bushes. Not to mention the dreaded Blackberry vines with which we fight a constant battle.    If you Google "Cape Perpetua, OR." you will see some interesting stuff, including pictures of the Giant Spruce growing there. The Cape is a few miles south of us and and attracts tourists from all over.

Doris M. Lediard ● 6501d

Duncan thanks for the website on the enchanted trees. Truly a magical place at night!        Yes we have trees galore in Oregon. Around our house we have coastal pine, cedar and fir trees, all evergreen. The most common deciduous tree is the Alder which grows like a weed around us. They spring up in the most unappropriate places, along with Huckleberry and Salal bushes. Not to mention the dreaded Blackberry vines with which we fight a constant battle.    If you Google "Cape Perpetua, OR." you will see some interesting stuff, including pictures of the Giant Spruce growing there. The Cape is a few miles south of us and and attracts tourists from all over.

Doris M. Lediard ● 6501d

Perhaps someone should be getting some of the trees that have been written about and photographed onto theancient-tree-hunt.org.uk website.There don't seem to have any from our area recorded.

Janet McNamara ● 6502d

Hello Doris, be rest assured, the park is looking in good condition. I walk through there most weeks and it does have a very secluded and special feel to it. Much more intimate than Kew Gardens (which I also like). I have exchanged emails recently with the head gardener asking him if there was a list of all the trees and planting dates. I thought it would make an excellent feature for their website. There isn't one for the public, at the moment, but he was very helpful.I will be taking 'The Enchanted Walk' this November/December and if I can snap any interesting photos I'll post them up here for you to enjoy a virtual walk!I put in a search on the www.flickr.com website for 'Enchanted Woodland, Syon' and up came these photos from last year, see:http://flickr.com/search/?q=enchanted+Woodland%2C+SyonOn a previous posting I think you mentioned you now lived in Oregon. I bet there are some fine trees there?

Duncan Walker ● 6504d

Duncan thanks for that interesting website. Really makes me wish I could take a trip back to enjoy The Enchanted Walk.  Unfortunately I live 6000 miles away.  I am comforted by the thought that the trees in Syon Park are in good hands.

Doris M. Lediard ● 6504d

Here's an article on Syon Park trees, in the October edition of 'The Richmond Magazine'. The Journalist talks with Topher Martyn the head gardener. See:Rooted in History on website www.richmondmagazine.co.uk

Duncan Walker ● 6505d

Just to recommend to people the walks led by John Wells for the London Wildlife Trust. There was a very good one on Trees of Gunnersbury Park last month, and he will be doing another on Plants and Trees in Hanwell Cemetery on Sunday 7 October. Meet at 10.30 at the cemetery entrance on Uxbridge Road. John is really knowledgeable and enthusiastic and his nature walks are always very interesting.These walks are free. Further details of all London Wildlife Trust events can be found on the website www.wildlondon.org.uk

Virginia Fassnidge ● 6509d

Tim, what a wonderful pair they are. Here’s the image from Wikipedia, which you refer to:I wonder if they are still kept in shape?I read that these two trees shaped to represent two proud peacocks are at the entrance to the Parish Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Bedfont and one is dated at 1704. They are said to represent two sisters who lived in Bedfont House and were described as being “as proud as peacocks”I found a poem about these peacocks by Thomas Hood (1800s):http://www.gerald-massey.org.uk/hood/c_poems_06.htm#222“THE TWO PEACOCKS OF BEDFONT.Alas!  That breathing Vanity should go    Where Pride is buried,—like its very ghost,Uprisen from the naked bones below,    In novel flesh, clad in the silent boastOf gaudy silk that flutters to and fro,    Shedding its chilling superstition mostOn young and ignorant natures—as it wontTo haunt the peaceful churchyard of Bedfont!...(+24 verses)..And where two haughty maidens used to be,    In pride of plume, where plumy Death had trod,Trailing their gorgeous velvets wantonly,    Most unmeet pall, over the holy sod;—There, gentle stranger, thou may'st only see    Two sombre Peacocks.—Age, with sapient nodMarking the spot, still tarries to declareHow they once lived, and wherefore they are there.

Duncan Walker ● 6517d

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:'There,_gentle_stranger,_thou_mays't_only_see'_engraving_by_William_Miller_after_Birket_Foster.jpg

Tim Henderson ● 6517d

I was looking through the 'Ancient Yew Group' website http://www.ancient-yew.org/to see if we had any notable Yew trees near Brentford and I found this curious one in the church yard of St Peter and St Paul church, Harlington.http://www.ancient-yew.org/harlingtonyew.shtml“THE HARLINGTON YEWN.B. This account is based on a chapter from “Harlington and Harmondsworth: A History and Guide”by Philip Sherwood. Tempus Publishing 2002.The yew tree which stands to the south of the church porch in the churchyard is a very insignificant feature nowadays and it is difficult to believe that 250 years ago it looked anything like the illustration from 1770. Nevertheless there is every good reason for thinking that this illustration is a true representation of how the tree once appeared.“ A John Saxy in 1729 was responsible for cutting the tree in the shape depicted in the print.The clipping of the tree is said to have been an annual event, which took place at the time of the Whitsun Fair. Whoever was responsible for clipping the tree in the early 1800s was not as expert as his predecessors, as the tree had by then assumed a simpler, but still exaggerated shape as can be seen in a drawing of the tree made in 1810.“The tree ceased to be cut in 1825 and a drawing of the tree made in the mid 19th Century shows that it had returned to its natural shape.“1990 a survey of ancient yew trees by the Conservation Foundation estimated that, using all the data it had to hand, the Harlington Yew could well be over 1000 years old.Copyright© Philip Sherwood. This is a picture by Philip Sherwood in 1999:This significant yew would be lost through the building of the proposed “third runway” at Heathrow.

Duncan Walker ● 6518d

Yes Duncan they are the trees. Glad to see that they have survived.  They are the ones that I remember from my childhood, although at that time Chiswick House was neglected and in ruins.      On one of my many trips back to the area I did get to tour the inside of Chiswick House, and see for myself the inside of the house, which I never could as a child.

Doris M. Lediard ● 6526d

Doris, are these the cedars referred to here which you mean?http://www.chgt.org.uk/index.asp?PageID=84‘Two magnificent cedars survive from the original planting.’Perhaps these are the cedars:

Duncan Walker ● 6526d

Thanks for the pictures of some beautiful trees Duncan. Can you tell me if the cedars are still there in Chiswick House Grounds?  They were right behind the house I believe, along with some statuary.

Doris M. Lediard ● 6526d

Thanks for the lovely photos Duncan, and the commentary. Excellent.

Audrey Walton ● 6526d

As you say Michael, Gunnersbury Park must be in the top three..unless there are several other hidden gems scattered around.Is the whole of Gunnersbury Park in Brentford Ward? It's certainly all within the London Borough of Hounslow..even though it's postal address is Acton, London, W3 !!One wonders if all the Boroughs trees are numbered for reference purposes in some way? Perhaps a chat to the Tree Deparment for someone!!If our Forum postings help to get more residents out into our Parks..exploring the trees, flower beds, ponds,open spaces and cafes(!)..then that will be a good thing!Maybe a Tree "Top 10" Chart!!

Jim Lawes ● 6527d

Was that a rheotorical question Jim? ...Gunnersbury is in Brentford...and like the others can validly claim to be the first, second or third park in Brentford dependent on a person's preferences.Some more photos of Gunnersbury:-

Michael Fletcher ● 6527d

This is a beautiful Magnolia tree, on the corner of Ferry Lane with the High Street, the Premier Lodge Hotel is just behind it, the Watermans Arms to the right and the Fire Station bar/restaurant across from it on Ferry lane. Its flowers are superb in spring:

Duncan Walker ● 6527d

Correction: I said I was looking east from Kew Bridge. I was looking west, young man!

Duncan Walker ● 6527d

I continued my walk from in front of Lot’s Ait, along the fantastic wooden boardwalk path in Watermans Park. This park has been much improved, it is open and there are some nice trees, a children’s play ground and attractive flower beds. This feels like walking along a promenade – Brentford Promenade. This photo is of the west end of Brentford Ait:Continuing through the park, the Ait has some lovely Weeping Willow trees:Continuing my promenade, east, here is the western end of Brentford Ait, behind this barge, which has some striking Buddhist stone statues at its entrance:The path is now blocked by flats, so I have to go onto the road opposite the new Music Museum, then I can rejoin the path beside the pub and on to Kew Bridge. I crossed over Kew Bridge to get a view of the trees on Brentford Ait from the other side. These photos are from the bridge, looking east towards Brentford clearly show the shape of the Brentford Ait and Lot’s Ait as they dissect the river, once forming a screen so that the people in Kew couldn’t see dirty Brentford:The boundary goes to the right of Brentford Ait, so it is in Kew/Richmond,  and to the left of Lot’s Ait, so it is in Brentford/LBH. I now walked down the river path on the Surrey side and took this photo of Brentford Ait, with the trees set in front of the majestic Kew Bridge Steam Museum Tower:These islands are treasures and should be open for all to see from the river paths.

Duncan Walker ● 6527d

Yesterday I took this photo, from Ferry Quays, of the trees on Lot’s Ait, facing west at low tide. The definition is not good enough to see any ‘Two-lipped Door Snail’ and the ‘German Hairy Snail’ protected on the island!:I walked from here, east towards Kew Bridge, along the river front, when I got to Goat's Wharf the path was blocked by the red Chordiant company building, which I note on Google Map has its name on the roof! A path could be opened up in front of this building, which would then take us to the dilapidated buildings of Albany House, 41 High Street. This also could be opened up and then we would have a clear path to join up with the path in front of the Watermans Centre.I took this photo outside the Watermans centre, of the east end of Lot’s Ait, with ferry Quays just seen in the background:The trees cover the small island giving it a wild romantic feel. Mind you, when Jim got on the island last year cleaning up litter, he found rubbish and stolen bikes.

Duncan Walker ● 6527d

I do remember that storm. I think a large tree fell across a road in Brentford north of the A4.Jim, maybe we should do an equivalent of 'Beating the Bounds' in Autumn, but taking snapshots of the trees around Brentford.

Duncan Walker ● 6527d

I do remember that storm. I think a large tree fell across a road in Brentford north of the A4.Jim, maybe we should do an equivalent of 'Beating the Bounds' in Autumn, but taking snapshots of the trees around Brentford.

Duncan Walker ● 6527d

After this super feast of pictures Duncan..I don't think I have room for chocolate cake!A most enjoyable selection for cheerful and admiring viewing. I gather that every tree is registered with the Civic Centre and each one is checked and attended to to make sure that it's in good health!So many trees were lost during that great wind storm in 1987that it's a blessing that lots and lots survived. Do you remember that occasion?We'll have a treat in store with the coming Autumn..my favourite season..with georgeous colours..to be caught on camera hopefully!Encore!

Jim Lawes ● 6527d

This area is so pleasing to walk through, the trees are an integral part of the design. I tried to cut out most of the cars, a pity there were no horse and carriages! What a history this place has, you can feel it.

Duncan Walker ● 6527d

This is the very large tree at Point Wharf, Ferry Quay, taken from Brentford Dock.This the same tree but taken from within the Ferry Quays estate:And a close up:Does anybody know what sort of tree it is?

Duncan Walker ● 6527d

Fingers crossed..will the map appear this time.

Jim Lawes ● 6528d

Jim Lawes ● 6528d

So the Gospel Oak..a famed tree of old bordering Brentford with Hanwell...is shown on the local 1894 Godfrey Map..sold a local Libraries.Is there a stub there today?Thank's Janet for your help on this enquiry.

Jim Lawes ● 6528d

Great photos Duncan and incidentally one of our Co-Optees on the Isleworth and Brentford Area Committee is the head tree scientist at Kew Gardens and is a mine of information as you would expect so I will e-mail him the link to this thread. I also have to confess to have popped by the Tides Cafe in Richmond once or twice as it is a real gem of a place.

Paul Fisher ● 6529d

One of my favourite cafes is the ‘Tide Tables’ cafe next to Richmond Bridge, where you can sit under three very old London Plane trees (Platanus x hispanica), sipping tea and watching the river go by. They were probably planted at the same time as the ones along the river towards Petersham, including the largest one in London , just 100 yards further down.Jim, I had a large slice of chocolate cake and a cup of Earl Grey tea!

Duncan Walker ● 6529d

There a good section on the Kew Gardens website about some of the old and notable trees there, with useful photos and location information. http://www.kew.org/plants/trees/index.htmlAs Tim has mention earlier, trees from the Duke of Argyll’s estate were moved to Kew after his death. For instance the section says about the Black Locust tree (or false acacia), Robinia pseudoacacia , planted 1762,“This specimen was one of the prize trees planted around the Temple of the Sun. Here it grew next to a Turkey Oak, Cedar of Lebanon, Cork Oak and an American Locust Tree. Most of these trees came from the Duke of Argyll's estate at Whitton and this specimen is the last survivor of that group”.

Duncan Walker ● 6529d

It would be interesting to do the DNA of the cedars to see which are related !In "And make a city here" there is talk of the Duke of Argyll who planted a lot of cedars at Whitton Park in the early 1720's. I think it mentions that many were moved elsewhere (including to Kew, maybe Syon)after his death and the new owner wanted to be rid of them......Certainly they were the status tree to have and to show off.

Tim Henderson ● 6529d

So, this is just the medium size tree at the front of the House in 2007.--------------------------------------------------------------Here is a print(enlarged!) of the scene in 1799..208 years ago (different tree no doubt!)from a book called "Greater London Illustrated" published by Cassells 1895..and available on cyberspace market stalls!

Jim Lawes ● 6529d

History books talk of a Gospel Oak tree on the borders with Hanwell.It may be dead..or a bit withered..but is the tree still there..somewhere?

Jim Lawes ● 6529d

As you say Duncan ""A different world to Brentford High Street, we are fortunate to have it""It's a great pity that when the name Brentford is mentioned to some people, their thoughts relate straight away to the High Street, the untidy and dirty delapidations, whilst there are so many delightful parts.Syon Park and Boston Manor Park are gems..all being cared for...in their different ways. Which would be third best park ..with trees..in Brentford?

Jim Lawes ● 6529d

Amazing tree that!  Your pictures will create a new interest for readers Duncan.Encore!!

Jim Lawes ● 6529d

There are so many fabulous trees in Kew Gardens, here's one I like. It is a hornbeam (Carpinus betalus). It is behind the Temperate House, about 300 metres West, towards the lake and river. The photo was taken in Spring, with a carpet of daffodils in front, a perfect place to sit:

Duncan Walker ● 6530d

Jim, I like the roses on the gate to the Rose Garden, with that fine cedar smack bang in the middle.The cedar looks as tall as the ones in Boston Manor park. It wouldn't surprise me if these were seeded at roughly the same time, maybe from the early ones in the Chelsea Physic garden in the late 1700s. I read that cedar trees in Chiswick gardens were seeded from these in Chelsea.I took these photos in Syon Park on Saturday:This Swamp Cypress (Taxodium distichum) has a great bend in its trunk:A cedar tree with a full set of branches right to the ground, near to the statue of Flora, which overlooks a lawn named after her:A weeping willow (Salix x Sepulcralis Chrysocoma) next to the lake:A tree with dangly yellow flowers, which I don't know the name:And even though not a tree, the beautiful Great Conservatory:A different world to Brentford High Street, we are fortunate to have it.

Duncan Walker ● 6530d

I read the book a few years ago and it was interesting trying to visualise the town before the Great West Road, with narrow side streets and industrial areas with very little access around the canal and the dock.There's also a book The King of Brentford by Mrs Robert Henrey - part set in the town - an old fashioned style but Robert Henrey's father was the Revd Thomas Selby Henrey vicar of St Geoege's Church.We've come a long way from trees!!

Janet McNamara ● 6530d

Yes Janet, I think it is time to re-aquaint myself with the house. I'll look out for you.By the way, in Gladys Mitchell's book , (the once famous Brentford author, 1901 -1983), 'The Rising Moon’ there is a murder in the grounds of Boston Manor. You might find it interesting to identify the locations in a Brentford of about 1910-1920.

Duncan Walker ● 6530d

------------------------------------------------------When I took this picture earlier in the year, I sure I was concentrating on the red flag..and half ignoring the tree!!Doesn't the tree look a bit angry?Duncan:Your new topic will no doubt have us all paying more attention to the trees around us. They're all characters really aren't they. Must keep our eyes open..and especially for Janet's baby in Boston Manor Park!I recall now that Saville Gardens near Virginia Water has some splendid trees..surrounding a lake.Views of trees? Must start looking out for them!!

Jim Lawes ● 6530d

Peep through the gate!------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------That tree must be something like 100 - 120 feet tall?

Jim Lawes ● 6530d

Lovely picture.Thanks Duncan.Have you visited the house recently?It's open Saturdays and Sundays 2.30 - 5pm until the end of October and I'm sometimes there as a steward!

Janet McNamara ● 6531d

Michael, I have always liked that tree on the island in The Palm House Pond. It is so elegant. I think it is a Swamp Cypress (Taxodium distichum). The new Sackler Bridge next to this is a great addition. Here's those swamp cyprus's next the bridge:The wavy bronze bridge, snakes over the surface of the water:I agree, we are very fortunate to have Kew Gardens on our doorstep, I walk in there every week. It would be great if Kew Gardens could help us design and build a vista on Ferry Quay which would point to Brentford Gate across the Thames, linking both sides. Maybe a colonnade of small trees lining a promenade down to a ferry?

Duncan Walker ● 6532d

As promised Janet, this morning, I wandered around this magnificant Cedar of Lebanon (Cedrus libani) on the back lawn at Boston Manor Park. The tiny figure underneath, gives some indication of the size:The cedar on Jim's previous photo is at the side of the building, not as large as the other but still a fine tree:

Duncan Walker ● 6532d

Hi DuncanTo me Kew Gardens has the widest collection of trees.  2 weeks ago I photographed this from the bridge next to the Palm House-Syon Park vista.Richmond Park has many mature oaks.  According to "A Year in the Life of Richmond Park" there's one that is 700 years old.We're lucky in London to have so many trees.  As the guide pointed out to us on top of the Kew Bridge tower what is striking about the London views is the number of trees.  I seem to remember that Ealing is the borough with the most trees in London.

Michael Fletcher ● 6532d

The really big one is the shadow at the left on your photo Jim.The Friends of Boston Manor had it measured a few years ago and found it 'fatter' than any other in Greater London.

Janet McNamara ● 6532d

DuncanThanks for that interesting website link regarding "trees for cities". The site is a gateway to many other places as well..and I have my sights on a "Tree from Heaven" in Ravencourt Park, W6...for the Hammersmith Quiz!When you visit Boston Manor Park remember to pop into the cosy friendly cafe.-----------------------------------------------------Thanks to Janet also... for pointing out that big old tree behind the House.  Now we may know what we're looking at!I plan to join up with "Friends of Boston Manor" soon..It's only a couple of pounds a year.-------------------------------------------------This could be the tree?

Jim Lawes ● 6532d

That's a superb tree, Janet. I'll pop down to the park tomorrow and take a snap for this thread.I read that The Chelsea Hospital Physic Garden, has the first cedar trees ever to be planted in Britain (1683), so this one in Boston Manor Park is not far behind.

Duncan Walker ● 6532d

Have you seen the cedar on the back lawn at Boston Manor Park, Duncan?It really must be the best tree for miles around.It's probably about 250years old and may have been grown from seed by James Clitherow who lived at the house as he wrote about planting cedar seeds in 1754.

Janet McNamara ● 6532d

Three large trees (I think Beech) are on the headland of Brentford Dock looking up towards Kew Bridge. They have always reminded me of a poodle, with the nose on the left, a rounded arched back and a trimmed tail. I’ve pieced together a couple of my photos to get the poodle dog effect!

Duncan Walker ● 6533d