Our Favourite Trees

A Sycamore and Wordsworth by George Peterken

Our famous local poem, William Wordsworth’s Lines written a few miles above Tintern Abbey, composed in 1798, not only includes the best description of local hedges I’ve ever seen, but also mentions a dark sycamore under which he relaxes and views the scenery of the Wye Valley. Today, we can still see a dark sycamore growing high on the bank a few hundred yards upstream of Brockweir Bridge. Its too young to be the same tree, but whoever planted it must have known about the poem. It’s also hemmed in by scrub and thus difficult to photograph, but these two shots show its bulk (and Brockweir Bridge in the distance) and its prominence in the landscape.

The day is come when I again repose

Here, under the dark sycamore, and view

These plots of cottage-ground, these orchard tufts,

Which, at this season, with their unripe fruits,

Are clad in one green hue and lose themselves

‘Mid groves and copses. Once again I see

These hedge-rows, hardly hedge-rows, little lines

Of sportive wood run wild: …

Beech Trees by George Peterken

Beech trees in a field boundary at Beechwood House (formerly ‘The Beeches’). They were part of the old-pasture common grazings before the Hudnalls was settled in the late 18th century. One tree split and fell 15 years ago. The remaining two always come into leaf in spring and shed leaves in autumn at the same time, so they are likely to have grown from a common root stock that was too big to be worth removing when the fields were formed 250 years ago.

If you would like to find out more about the history of The Hudnalls then this document of 1965 is interesting.

St Briavels Veteran Sweet Chestnut Tree

Half way down St Briavels High Street stands a veteran sweet chestnut tree. Standing proudly through the gravel pavement with a slight lean it looks majestic throughout the seasons. The top three photographs were taken in early spring displaying the sweeping branches extending in a near symmetrical shape. The twisted bark on the trunk with bulbous shapes adds to its beauty. Perhaps someone is aware of the history of this tree, possibly planted where it stands today? The larger photograph displays its fresh leaves taken by Jennifer Harland.

Perry Pear Tree, Bailey Lane

The Perry Pear Tree in the field adjacent to Bailey Lane, Hewelsfield Common, has been magnificent this year. In spring it was covered in blossom then by winter it revealed its true shape, gilded by the winter sun after rain. Photographs by Andy Stott

Magical looking Sweet Chestnut Trees above Hudnall’s House, St Briavels Common.

Sweet Chestnut trees can live up to about 700 years, developing twisted trunks as they become veteran trees. The largest sweet chestnut tree in the UK is thought to be the specimen at Tortworth, South Gloucestershire – a massive 13m across. Photographs by Rachel Bomford.