London Tree Week--Ladywell Fields Tree Walk: Part 4

To mark London Tree Week 2016 (28 May - 5 June 2016), we continue our tree walk from part 3, introducing the twenty most interesting trees in Ladywell Fields. 

As you pass underneath the railway bridge from the middle field into the southern field, on the far bank is a gap where a Crimean Lime (11) stood until Easter 2016 when it blew down in a storm. They are often said to the be ugliest tree in the park, especially in winter when its drooping, tangled branches are easily visible. This one has now mostly been chipped and the wood chips used to mulch the trees in the community orchard.

Continue to follow the river upstream and you will see a fine pair of London Plane trees (12) to your left. Then after the concrete events area, notice the Ash tree (13) ahead and to your right, just before the playground. It is an odd tree, as the bark changes half way up. It appears that someone has grafted a Manna Ash onto a Common Ash tree, although it is not clear why.


Just beyond the playground you will see the Community Orchard (14). The first trees were planted in 2011 when the park was renovated. They are now maturing and in the summer you should see fruit on the frees. There are apples, pears, plums and cherries. A sign on the far side tells you when it is time to pick.

Turn back at this point and take the path running diagonally up the hill, between a row of cherry trees. In front of you on either side of the path are a fine pair of English Oak trees (15). They have grown without obstruction and have developed that classic oak shape which is so beautiful. They probably mark the line of an old hedgerow from the days when this was Kent countryside.

(To be continued..)