I then went to the Essex Record Office and studied the
tithe map of 1838 which gives details of all the fields existing
at that time. Most of the hedges around Galleywood that are
still existing were shown on the map but the newer hedge was
not, as that area was wooded at the time rather than cultivated.
It was, however, shown on the Ordnance Survey map of 1881 and
so must have an age of between 100 and 140 years. I also tried
to see if I could find evidence of there having been a wood
where the wild service tree is growing. On a map showing an
estate at Galley End, a field adjoining the one where the wild
service tree is situated was shown as being a wood at a date
circa 1800. Unfortunately, the estate did not extend far
enough for the map to show whether the next field was also
wooded, but it seems quite likely that it would have been at
some time in the past since it was adjoining a wood. Subsequent
inspection of a hedge bordering the formerly wooded area, which
is now wasteland, revealed three further wild service trees.
Afterwards I went to inspect a hedge by the side of Molehill
Common which runs along a parish boundary, as hedges which mark
boundaries are often found to be very old. This was rather
disappointing, however, as it had an average of only five
species and would not therefore appear to be so old as some of
the other hedges.
Since I went to the class I have become much more aware of
hedges and I am surprised to see how many of the garden hedges in
Galleywood contain remnants of field hedges, in spite of the fact
that it is now a suburban area. I have noticed such species as
maple, dogwood and hazel growing in them. Most of the hedges
around fields contain a large number of different species and so
appear to be hundreds of years old.
Pauline Potts.
Disused Railway Track - Easton Lodge Halt to Dunmow
Members of the Field Club might be interested in a walk
taken during the first week in June by the members of a rival
organisation - as the old railway track is open to all, I don't
think that I can be accused of "botanical espionage".'
The single track Braintree-Dunmow-Bishop's Stortford line
was opened in 1869, but the Easton Lodge Halt was not constructed
until the early 1890's, being built at the expense of the Countess