Tree Following: A double update

October 9, 2014

It's been a while since I wrote a tree following update, although I went and photographed my tree in September what with our week in Cornwall I didn't share those, so here's a double update which'll bring you right up-tp-date with the developments.

In my last post - see Tree following August: The still-a-mystery tree- I was still unsure what tree I'd decided to follow. But Chloris knew and identified it - thank you! - as a Pawlonia Tomentosa, or the Foxglove tree and although it's a beauty I fear that (because of pollarding) this one won't be given the chance to flower. Boo!

So what did it look like in September?

Well as I approached the tree the change was obvious with many of the leaves already fallen, so many that you could easily see through the tree.

The leaves were caught around the trunk

And littering the grass

The leaves remaining on the tree were also deteriorating...

But it was a lovely sunny September day when I stopped by, I mean just look at the sky!

So, one month on at the start of October and you'd think it couldn't change that much, again...

Well it had, and I gasped as I spotted my tree. When I say spotted my tree, I had to double check it was still there as there was a lot more house on show this visit.

So many more of the leaves were down, and again caught up in the trunk.

What struck me on this visit was how bare, but how tall and straight the branches were, with very few side branches. And then I realised that what I'd taken before to be side branches were in fact the stem of the leaves.

Ahem. Yes, well I'm new to this tree following... :)

Even though it was now a bit cooler, the skies were still blue. And a few uppermost leaves were still hanging on!

The other obvious change was the ivy on the wall behind my tree which was in the process of being cut down, and when I look back at the previous photos this going also contributes to seeing more of the house behind.

Even so I expect there'll be even more changes to report on when I next visit early next month.

Tree following August: The still-a-mystery tree

August 12, 2014

In the middle of July I stumbled across this tree - see The mystery tree with humongous leaves - and following an online chat with Lucy from Loose and Leafy about what it might me (it's still a mystery tree right now, so if you know I'd love to know) I concluded that it would be interesting and hopefully enlightening to follow this tree more closely.

Lucy hosts a monthly link-up for fellow tree followers, that's people who have chosen a tree to follow for a year. I'm late to this party, though had been reading with interest on how, what and why people chose their trees. But even so, I didn't choose a tree for myself, despite having quite a few in our garden that could have been ideal and easy accessible candidates.

But it seems, this humongous mystery tree chose me!

So let me introduce you to the humongous-leaved mystery tree. It's in Blackheath, South East London and is behind railings on Sir John Morden Walk - which is a well-used local thoroughfare which winds its way through the grounds of Morden College (for more about the college see my July post) and leads me towards Blackheath Village.

I'm still not clear if the railings are for its protection or for innocent passers-by!

Here's my view as I approach "my tree":

It's still behind the railings and hasn't escaped yet, though it has grown and filled out since my last visit. It's handy that it has that lamppost close by as that will give a good indicator of how much it's grown.

Unfortunately in July I managed to avoid photographing the lamppost though but looking back at the July photo it has grown easily a couple of foot upwards and at outwards - I'll get better at this for next time I promise!

The leaves remain large though look slightly droopier than previously - however we've had a prolonged spell of 25 degrees plus here in London so I think we're all feeling (if not looking) a little droopier.

This month I have got a better shot of the trunk - is it me but even the branches look as if they've filled out - the tree had been pollarded, imagine how beast-like it would be if not!

It seems the ivy is losing the battle too as at the base of the tree there's very little light for it to flourish. This photo also gives some indication as to how much the tree has put on in this short space of time - last month the soil at the base of the tree was clearly visible in my photos, this month it's not.

I've also photographed the tree from the other side of the path (so if you were approaching it from Blackheath Village) and have managed to get the lamppost into two shots this month - these I think will be the staple photos for each monthly post.

Next month though I'll try to get the whole tree in!

So after a brief reacquaintance with "my tree" and with my photos shot I headed on my way towards Blackheath Village for the slightly more mundane task of collecting a missed parcel from the Post Office!

I'll be back for another look at my mystery tree with the humongous leaves next month...

In the meantime if you know what it might be then please leave a comment below - thanks!

The (mystery) tree with humongous leaves...

July 17, 2014

I mean just look at how big they are:

Yes, humongous - that ivy on the ground is normal sized ivy...

I saw this while out walking earlier this morning - yes it was a tad on the warm side but walking was way preferable to getting into the car.

I've no idea what type of tree this is, but it's behind the railings on Sir John Morden Walk - which is a well-used local thoroughfare which winds its way through the grounds of Morden College* towards Blackheath Village.

Behind railings for its protection, or ours?!

Looking at it more closely, the tree has actually been pollarded but as you can see it's still pretty virulent! You can see why this tree would be a candidate for pollarding, imagine what it's be like left to its own devices!

Does anyone know what it is?

Sir John Morden was a seventeenth century philanthropist who set up Morden College to accommodate those sea merchants who had lost their livelihoods through natural disaster. Although called a college it is actually a very sophisticated retirement and nursing home, providing sheltered accommodations. TheTrust that was bolstered by legacies from turkey merchants in the eighteenth century, runs four other similar homes in Blackheath and Beckenham.The building itself was designed and built by Edward Strong, Sir Christopher Wren’s master mason and is Grade II listed.

Back in my own garden, a lovely yellow rose has flowered