Noteable Trees
A survey of specimen trees, including surviving representatives of those planted by Avery Hill estate owners including Thomas Hale (here 1839 – 51), James and Anna Maria Boyd (1851 – 82), John Thomas North (1883 – 98), and some established by the London County Council after 1903, was carried out in 2009-10 by Friends of Avery Hill Park and members of local youth organisations. The Friends group are planning to update this survey during 2020-21. The survey noted species, measured the girth at 1.3m from the base, and used these figures to estimate ages. The method is described fully in Mitchell et al 19948.
Number on plan |
Latin name |
Common name |
Estimated age |
1 |
Cedrus libani |
Cedar of Lebanon |
1880 |
2 |
Eucalyptus gunnii |
Australian cider gum |
1886 |
3 |
Fagus sylvatica purpurea |
Copper Beech |
1912 |
4 |
Cedrus atlantica |
Atlantic cedar |
1893 |
5 |
Robinia pseudoacacia |
False Acacia |
1915 |
6 |
Aesculus hippocastanum |
Horse chestnut |
1857 |
7 |
Quercus robur |
English Oak |
1853 |
8 |
Quercus robur |
English Oak |
1912 |
9 |
Quercus robur |
English Oak |
1920 |
10 |
Quercus robur |
English Oak |
1920 |
11 |
Quercus robur |
English Oak |
1920 |
12 |
Populus x niger |
Black poplar hybrid |
1873 |
13 |
Populus x niger |
Black poplar hybrid |
1879 |
14 |
Populus x niger |
Black poplar hybrid |
1877 |
15 |
Populus x niger |
Black poplar hybrid |
1917 |
16 |
Populus x niger |
Black poplar hybrid |
1926 |
17 |
Quercus robur |
English oak |
1910 |
18 |
Quercus robur |
English oak |
1910 |
19 |
Quercus robur |
English oak |
1860 |
20 |
Quercus robur |
English oak |
1860 |
21 |
Quercus robur |
English oak |
1860 |
22 |
Acer Campestris |
Field Maple |
1832 |
23 |
Corylus avellana |
Coppiced hazel |
1794 |
24 |
Quercus pallustric |
Pin oak |
1884 |
25 |
Gleditsia triacanthos |
Honey locust |
1947 |
26 |
Pterocarya fraxinifolia |
Caucasian wingnut |
1885 |
27 |
Aesculus hippocastanum |
Horse chestnut |
1831 |
28 |
Gastanea sativa |
Sweet chestnut |
1849 |
29 |
Tilia vulgaris |
Common lime |
1852 |
30 |
Platanus hispanica |
London plane |
1876 |
Notes
The hazel (23), included for interest rather than its size today, confirms the estimated age of this section of hedge, which first appears on a map of 1749.
The Park Management Plan includes measures for managing and celebrating these heritage trees. Strategies considered include:
• any necessary surgery, including removal of lower branches, e.g. Cedrus libani (1)
• a programme of planting replacements for older specimens of shorter-lived species, e.g. Aesculus hippeastrum (6,
25) and for all in due course
• creation of a ‘tree walk’ interpretative trail
• Regular surveys to monitor for diseases and pests, and appropriate measures or programmes, including where
necessary felling and replacement
The hazel (23), included for interest rather than its size today, confirms the estimated age of this section of hedge, which first appears on a map of 1749.
The Park Management Plan includes measures for managing and celebrating these heritage trees. Strategies considered include:
• any necessary surgery, including removal of lower branches, e.g. Cedrus libani (1)
• a programme of planting replacements for older specimens of shorter-lived species, e.g. Aesculus hippeastrum (6,
25) and for all in due course
• creation of a ‘tree walk’ interpretative trail
• Regular surveys to monitor for diseases and pests, and appropriate measures or programmes, including where
necessary felling and replacement