This project began in Winter 2019/202 when we planted 13 trees which were: three sweetgum, three oaks, two cherry trees, two juneberries, a hawthorn, a pear and a rowan.
During Winter 2020/2021 we were unable to plant due to Covid restrictions.
In Winter 2021/22 we planted 19 trees which were: two apple trees, two resistant elms, two cherry trees, two rowans, a witch hazel, a ginko, a pear, a sweetgum, a dogwood, a paper bark maple and a magnolia.
During Spring 2023 we plan to plant 11 further trees, after which we will focus on other green projects.
Our thanks to the individual sponsors of each tree, to a neighbourhood Just Giving Campaign and to BHCC for their generous support. All trees are from Hilliers in Romsey.
Contact us if you would like to support this ongoing project.
OLDER TREES
We have some very mature trees, including rare Elms, which form an important part of Brighton’s National Collection. Trees are also supercities for creatures and can also intercept and absorb air pollution and the larger the better. The biggest trees in our park might absorb 70 times more pollutants than our smaller garden trees so it’s vital we look after these big giants! That’s why we will be doing what we can to introduce species that are suited to the microclimate of the park, that offer the greatest biodiversity and also complement the character of the park in the future.
How big is the park?
The park is about 1.75 hectares or 4.3 acres.
What is the oldest tree in the park?
The Field Elm (Ulmus minor ‘Sarniensis’), by the café is about 170 years old – that’s older than the park itself! It was planted about 45 years before Alderman John George Blaker donated the park to the people in 1894.
What is the rarest tree?
The rare Golden Elm (Ulmus × hollandica ‘Wredei’), located to the south of the tennis courts is a very special tree. It has been awarded as a TROBI Champion (tree register of the British Isles), which lists just 2% of our most exceptional and rare trees. It is one of the most remarkable elm trees for it’s colour and rarity and a fine contribution to Brighton’s National Collection of elm trees.
Are there any other notable trees?
The Tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) is an unusual species, native to North America. It is located in the playground next to the toilet block and it is very large, showing off its distinctive shaped leaves which turning butter-yellow in autumn. The most notable feature of the tree is the curious large, green-yellow tulip shaped flowers produced in June and July – only produced by older trees.
