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.

Noteable trees in Avery Hill Park; 2009 - 2010

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