2003 - the 150lh anniversary of the introduction of the Wellingtonia
into cultivation in Britain
M.W.Hanson 3 Church Cottages, Church Road, Boreham, Essex CM3 3EG
Everyone must be familiar with this conifer with its soft, reddish punchable spongy
bark. Its scientific name - Sequoiadendron giganteum - is derived from a native American
Indian (Sequoyah) who reputedly never saw it and giganteum, meaning huge, which it
certainly is. Its English name is Wellingtonia, after the Duke of Wellington, who also
never saw it. It is a native of the Sierra Nevada in California, and there it can grow to
well over 300ft with an 80ft girth, living to over 3000 years old.
In Britain after its introduction in 1853, it became a must-have 'fashion tree', obligatory
in virtually every estate and park. It is common in Essex parks, occurring often as a
single specimen tree, occasionally in small groups and sometimes as an avenue, as at
Havering Country Park (Orange Tree Hill). As a mature tree it is useful as an indicator
of an old Victorian park where this has now been built on.
After 150 years, it would be interesting to assess the Essex population of Wellingtonias,
measuring height and girth; there are probably a few estate records of the actual date of
planting. Also, an assessment of its impact on the Essex landscape would be useful - it
towers above our native trees when mature and can look out of place in some landscaping
schemes. I wondered if anyone interested in Essex trees would take this on for inclusion
in a forthcoming book about trees in Essex.
Great Crested Newt training day at Wat Tyler Country Park, Pitsea
Ray Cranfield 47 Wedgewood Way, Ashingdon, Rochford, Essex SS4 3AS e-mail:
essex_arg@hotmail.com
On April 5 & 6 Dr Lee Brady arranged a Great Crested Newt Triturus cristatus training
day for staff and other interested individuals at Wat Tyler Country Park, Pitsea. The
event was attended by 20 people, including many members of the Essex Field Club.
Basildon District Council's Countryside Services manage Wat Tyler as well as nine
other country parks and nature reserves across Basildon district.
The main purpose of the event was to ensure the staff at Watt Tyler were fully trained in
the handling of Great Crested Newts to allow them to take groups of school children on
"pond dipping" sessions. It is, of course, very important to harness the enthusiasm of
the local children and over 12,000 pupils from schools within the district and further
afield visit each year. Through the training the Education staff at Wat Tyler will ensure
the children are aware of the need for care in handling all amphibians and reptiles. This
24 Essex Field Club Newsletter No. 42, September 2003