I have done a little research on trees in London. Most do not seem to fall into the ancient category, except the one in Totteridge, and that is a little far out for the length of time I will be in London. I do plan to go to Kew Gardens. Will the trees there be labeled or have any history posted? Does anyone have any favorite trees in London? If so, would like your comments on what you find interesting.
Posted by
Medford, OR, USA
5836 posts
Here's a link to identifying native British trees: https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/trees-woods-and-wildlife/british-trees/
The Woodland Trust can point you to woodlands but I don't know if they are "ancient" forest or new gowths: https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/map/
And if you just want to see trees, London has very pleasant parks, Hyde Park being a big one.
We walked by what was suppose to be an ancient forest near Grasmere (Lake District). Our guide book noted that the ancient forest was not marked or identified to protect the forest. Most of the forest we saw were tree plantations.
Posted by
London, United Kingdom
4684 posts
Many of the oldest trees in Kew do have history posted. There is also a list of them here
Posted by
OP
Indiana, USA
60 posts
Thanks, Philip. That's exactly what I was looking for. In Central London, I thought the trees in Berkeley Square would be nice to see. The Strawberry tree in Battersea Park gets a number of mentions on the Internet, also.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32821 posts
It might be interesting to do a bit of research on the London Plane - so glad that Emma mentioned it first - and discover how the London Plane is the perfect tree for a polluted place like London. It is the anti-pollution tree. Really neat to see too. I love 'em.
Not knowing if from Indiana you have experienced many Giant Redwoods, but there are plenty of them here in London and the UK. (imported of course).
We are in the runup to the 30th anniversary of The Great Storm of 1987 which wiped out many of the best and oldest trees in the country. It nearly brought Kew to its knees. The weather forecaster of the day (a certain Mr M Fish) denied that a storm was on the way.
Kew is special and beautiful beyond compare.
Posted by
Troy, Oh, USA
2776 posts
Hardy Tree in the cemetery alongside St Pancras Old Church. It's a large ash tree, the interesting fact about the tree is how Thomas Hardy surrounded the tree by hundreds of weathered gravestones.
Posted by
Land of La
8688 posts
A lovely way to spend some time away from central London....
https://www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/richmond-park/richmond-park-attractions/wildlife/trees
Use the TFL website to plan your journey of exploration.
My traditional end of a trip is most often an early walk through the Hampstead Heath and a pub lunch in the village.
http://www.hampsteadheath.net/introduction-to-heath-trees.html
Posted by
Edmonton Canada
327 posts
My favourite tree in London is the Elfin Oak in Kensington Gardens - in a word "enchanting"!
https://www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/kensington-gardens/things-to.../elfin-oak
Posted by
Seattle, WA
16338 posts
That link is broken. Try this one:
It is hardly a tree, though.
Posted by
London
10 posts
Make sure you do the treetop walk in Kew Gardens. It's wonderful. I love walking along the tree-lined central avenue in Green Park. We even have sheep grazing there at the moment, just a stone's throw from Buckingham Palace!