A road trip with Fe, Suffolk Tree Warden Network, 29 April, to Sandringham Estate gave us a chance to catch up on some news, including our mutual interest in a heritage tree project.
The story of the land was the 21,000 acres, planted formally 120 + years ago, with little added or altered, until Charles took over 3 years ago, coinciding with the appointment of the head gardener Jack Lindfield. Together they changed the garden from being a backdrop to becoming integrated into the building, life around. ‘The drab planting of the 70’s and 80’s grubbed out’
Sue Townsend began the series of speakers. A winning garden designer, hailing from Westleton, her clients often in London, but not always. She is investigating climate change and species that are resiliant, exploring Olivier Filippi south of France drought-tolerant garden. Also a place in Greece.
cercis siliquastrum
acer sempervirens
Paulownia tomentosa – Empress or Foxglove Tree
Marianne Majerus
Atlantic cedar
Lawson Cypress
Western red cedar
deodar cedar
Lebanon cedar
2. The Great London Plane tree of Ely
David Day – Chair, Board of Governors at King’s Ely
James Talbot – Senior Lecturer in the Dynamics and Vibration Group, University of Cambridge
It’s thought that the Great Plane Tree of Ely was gifted to the Bishop of Ely by Charles II in 1674 to plant in his palace garden, which now falls within the grounds of King’s Ely school. The tree now has a girth of about 10m, and its three huge main stems stretch more than 30m in height.
Funding from the National Lottery, facilitated a baseline survey which recommended the the adoption of an innovative bracing to supports the areas that need it but also allows the tree to move and develop naturally. The University of Cambridge Department of Engineering installed movement sensor technology on the tree so it can be monitored across the seasons and in a variety of weather conditions. Assess the effectiveness of the bracing, as well as provide data on tree dynamics to help inform future research around heritage and veteran trees. Part of their Heritage Open Days (like Halesworth ha!) Meet the tree events.
Habitat Creation/Veteranisation – Reg Harris– Director of Urban Forestry Ltd (Bury St Edmunds)
Habitat creation work (aka veteranisation) at Sherwood Forest for the last 9 years.
Speakers⠀
Jack Lindfield – Head Gardener, Sandringham Estate
Tony Kirkham MBE, VMH, FICFor (Hon), FArborA – Retired Head of the Arboretum, Gardens & Horticultural Services at RBG Kew.
Sue Townsend MSGLD, MBALI – Award Winning Garden Designer
David Day – Chair, Board of Governors at King’s Ely
James Talbot – Senior Lecturer in the Dynamics and Vibration Group, University of Cambridge
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Kaliwood 