The little book of
Hillingdon’s important
trees
Hillingdon
www.hillingdon.gov.uk/greenspaces
Hillingdon is the western-most London borough and is
the third biggest, measuring about 44 square miles. The
borough was formed in 1965 from the Municipal Borough
of Uxbridge, Hayes and Harlington Urban District, Ruislip
Northwood Urban District and Yiewsley and West
Drayton Urban District of Middlesex.
The London Borough of Hillingdon is responsible for over
200 parks and open spaces within its boundaries. Since
much of the area is within the Green Belt, and it is the
least-populated of all the boroughs, there are large areas
of open space. These range in size from the Colne Valley
corridor and Ruislip Woods National Nature Reserve, to
numerous playing fields and the smallest gardens.
The borough’s trees are a valuable, and sometimes
historic, amenity that once removed can rarely be
adequately replaced; it is often only when a tree has
been removed, that its value becomes apparent.
Trees act as green screens, provide privacy and mask
unwelcome views. They act as barriers to wind and noise
and act as a filter to pollution. Trees and woodlands act
as important wildlife habitats and provide opportunities
for enjoyment, study and leisure. They also provide shade
and ameliorate high summer temperatures.
The borough’s trees are widely appreciated and this
leaflet seeks to inform and advise those interested in the
borough’s most interesting trees.
1
Iver
3
4
Heathrow Express
Terminals 1, 2, 3
Ickenham
8
6 2
12
Hayes and
Harlington
Heathrow Express
terminal 4
Hatton Cross
Heathrow
Terminals 1, 2, 3
3
15 Turkey Oak
Eastcote House
Gardens, Eastcote
14 Sycamore
Park Lodge Farm,
Harefield
13 Sycamore
Gravel Pits, off Copse
Wood Way, Northwood
12 Sweet Chestnut
Cranford Park
Countryside Park,
Hayes
11 London Plane
Rockingham
Recreation Ground,
Uxbridge
10 London Plane
Cowley Recreation
Ground, Cowley
9 English Oak
St Lawrence Drive,
Eastcote
8 English Oak
Poor’s Field, Ruislip
7 Dove Tree
Eastcote House
Gardens, Eastcote
6 ‘Domesday’ Oak
Cranford Park, Hayes
1 Atlantic Cedar
Vine Lane, Hillingdon
2 Cedar of Lebanon
Cranford Park
Countryside Park,
Hayes
3 Cedar of Lebanon
St Peters Way, Hayes
4 Common Hornbeam
Bayhurst Wood,
Harefield
5 Deodar Cedar
Gateway Close,
Northwood
This map is based upon Ordnance Survey material
with permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the
Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationary Office
Crown copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes
Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil
proceedings. LBH Hillingdon 100019283 2010
Southall
Northolt
Rayners
Lane
Pinner
Hounslow West
Ruislip Gardens
Ruislip Manor
South Ruislip
Ruislip
15
7 9
Eastcote
Northwood
Northwood Hills
Hillingdon
1
West Ruislip
Uxbridge
West Drayton
11
Heathrow
Terminal 5
Denham
14
13
5
Moor Park
Atlantic Cedar
(Cedrus atlantica)
Vine Lane, Hillingdon
This mature Atlantic Cedar is located in the gardens of
the privately owned Cedar House in Hillingdon. A native
of North Africa, this species of tree has been widely used
in this country to enhance parks and gardens with its
majestic form.
Although at approximately 24m high and 22m across it is
not the largest tree of its type in the borough, it makes up
for this by being such a prominent landmark tree that can
easily be seen from quite a distance away, especially
along Uxbridge Road.
It bears the scars of having lost several large limbs over
the course of its long life, but is protected for future
generations under a tree preservation order.
22m
Facts
Age:
150+ years (approx)
24m
5m
Native to:
North Africa
Location:
1
Cedar House,
Vine Lane, Hillingdon,
UB10 0NF
Tree Preservation
Order:
TPO 78a
5
Cedar of Lebanon
(Cedrus libani)
Cranford Park Countryside Park, Hayes
This Cedar of Lebanon species is another veteran tree of
the borough. It is located in Cranford Countryside Park
and is west of the main car park. It is native to the
mountainous Mediterranean region and Asia.
This tree has an impressive circumference of
approximately 6.8m, which is considered to be its best
feature, and has many characteristics of a veteran tree
including decaying wood in the crown and hollowing
branches. It also has large major horizontal limbs which
contribute to its large crown spread.
24m
Facts
Age:
150 to 200+ years
(approx)
Native to:
Mediterranean
17m region, Asia
Location:
Cranford Park
Countryside Park,
Middlesex,
TW5 9RZ
6.8m
2
Council owned
7
Cedar of Lebanon
(Cedrus libani)
St Peters Way, Hayes
This mature Cedar of Lebanon tree is located on privately
owned land adjacent to St. Peter and St. Paul’s Church
Hall, in St. Peter’s Way, Harlington. This species is native
to the mountains of the Mediterranean region and can be
found in North West Jordan and Western Syria.
It is a historically significant and symbolic tree. This species
of tree is considered historically to represent incorruptibility
and eternal life. It was introduced to Britain in 1638.
This tree is impressive for its height which at 18m can be
clearly seen from the M4 motorway. This beautiful tree
has a high amenity value and is protected under Tree
Preservation Order No. 26 (TPO 26)
Facts
8m
Age:
100 to 150+ years
(approx)
18m
4m
Native to:
Mediterranean
region, Asia
Location:
3
Adjacent to
St Peters and St Pauls
Church Hall, St Peters
Way, Hayes, UB3 5AB
Tree Preservation
Order:
TPO 26
9
Common Hornbeam
(Carpinus betulus)
Bayhurst Wood, Harefield
This mature pollarded Hornbeam is native to the British
Isles, and Bayhurst Wood (part of the Ruislip Woods) has
an abundance of them.
Although many of the hornbeams found in Ruislip Woods
are coppiced (the trees are cut on a 20 year rotation at
stump level), this particular individual has been repeatedly
cut at about 2m, and has subsequently developed a
massive head or ‘knuckle’ from which new shoots regularly
grow. When trees are cut at a height that stops browsing
animals from eating the new growth the management
technique is called pollarding.
Facts
10m
Age:
200 to 300 years
(approx)
8m
2m
Native to:
British Isles
Location:
4
Bayhurst Wood,
Breakspear Road
South, Harefield
(near height restriction
barrier on drive to the
main car park)
11
Deodar Cedar
(Cedrus deodar)
Gateway Close, Northwood
This beautiful mature Deodar Cedar is estimated to be
about 150 years old, and towers over the properties that
surround it that were built decades after it was planted.
The tree is situated on privately-owned land at Gateway
Close, Northwood, but is freely visible to the public.
This species is native to the Himalayas but was introduced
into Britain during the 1830s.
The tree is protected by Tree Preservation Order No. 104
(TPO 104), which was made in 1972 at about the same
time the estate was developed. The TPO has clearly been
very successful in protecting this fine tree from harm.
32m
Facts
Age:
150 years (approx)
24m
Native to:
the Himalayas
Location:
Gateway Close,
Northwood,
HA6 2RW
5.7m
5
Tree Preservation
Order:
TPO 104
13
‘Domesday’ Oak
(Quercus robur)
Cranford Park, Hayes
This veteran English Oak is located in Green Flag awarded
Cranford Park in Hayes. The oak tree is native to Britain
and Europe where its timber was widely used for major
ship building.
This tree is considered to be the oldest tree in Cranford
Park, and it has a number of characteristics associated
with veteran trees, including the hollowing of the trunk
and branches.
The trunk is so hollow in fact that it is more or less only
supported on two sides without any supporting wood in
between. It is given extra support with some wooden posts
which have been installed.
9m
Facts
Age:
500 to 550+ (approx)
13m
Native to:
Britain, Europe
Location:
Cranford Park
Countryside Park,
Hayes, Middlesex,
TW5 9RZ
6.9m
6
Council owned
15
Dove Tree
(Davidia involucrata)
Eastcote House Gardens, Eastcote
This unusual tree is located close to the walled garden in
Eastcote House gardens. It is a deciduous and unusual
broadleaf tree.
Sometime also known as the Ghost tree or Handkerchief
tree, it produces large flowers and white bracts in late May
to early June. On a breezy day, the bracts flutter in the wind
like white doves or pinched handkerchiefs, hence the
English names for this tree.
The fruit is a very hard nut about 3cm long surrounded by
a green husk about 4cm long by 3cm wide, hanging on a
10cm stalk. The nut contains three to six seeds.
8m
Facts
Age:
50+ (approx)
10m
Native to:
Western China
Location:
Eastcote House
Gardens, Eastcote
0.5m
7
Tree Preservation
Order:
N/A (protected within
the Eastcote Village
Conservation Area).
17
English Oak
(Quercus robur)
Poor’s Field, Ruislip
Although this oak tree is not especially old or imposing, it
is striking because of the shape it has formed over time.
The bio-mechanics, or body language that this tree displays
says much about the need for maturing trees to adapt to
their environment in order to survive.
The tree displays all sorts of features, such as historical
limb losses; significant, almost horizontal lean to its crown;
fire damage; stem hollowing; dead wood; and holes in its
stem. Because the tree still retains volumes of live wood
in its crown it is able to lay down new wood and respond
well to these issues.
Walk into Poor’s Field from the Reservoir Road entrance.
After passing through the first small field keep to your
right and after about 100 paces the tree is on your right,
close to the fence and the new lido car park beyond.
Asymmetrical, due to
significant lean
Facts
Age:
100 years (approx)
10m
2m
Native to:
Britain
Location:
Poor’s Field, off
Reservoir Road,
Ruislip
8
19
From 0.5m to 1m
from the ground the
tree appears to have
developed a swelling
around the stem, this
is probably as a result
of the downward
pressure of the weight
of the tree where wood
fibres are buckling; as
a result the tree is
forming a ‘lifebelt’
from bulge wood and
attempting to counter
the forces of gravity.
English Oak
Facts
20m
Age:
300 to 400 years
(approx)
(Quercus robur)
St Lawrence Drive, Eastcote
This is a fine example of a veteran English Oak. The tree is
growing on the grassed island in St Lawrence Drive, Eastcote.
This oak tree is characterised by massive lateral limbs that
spread out across the grass and over the adjoining road.
18m
5.6m
Native to:
Britain
Location:
St Lawrence Drive,
Eastcote
9
21
London Plane
(Platanus x hispanica)
Cowley Recreation Ground, Cowley
This mature London Plane is at the entrance to Cowley
House Recreation Ground. This type of tree possibly
originated in Spain in the 17th Century as a cross between
the Oriental Plane and the American Plane. It was widely
planted in London as it proved to be extremely tolerant of
pollution due in part to its flaking bark.
Out of the many, large, impressive trees in this park, this
is the tree that greets you as you drive in and is easily
visible from the main road. It is one of the largest Plane
trees that the council maintains.
23m
Facts
Age:
180 to 200 years
(approx)
28m
Native to:
Southern Europe
Location:
10
Cowley House
Recreation Ground,
High Street, Cowley,
Uxbridge, UB8 2EA
4.9m
Owned by Hillingdon
Council and easily
accessible.
23
London Plane
(Platanus x hispanica)
Rockingham Recreation Ground, Uxbridge
This mature London Plane tree can be found in Rockingham
Recreation Ground, on the eastern edge, next to the river.
This species is native to Southern Europe but was introduced
to Britain during the mid-17th Century.
This tree is a very impressive and prominent landscape
feature, clearly visible from some distance away and can
be enjoyed by all who visit the recreation ground,
providing shade from the sun and a wonderful natural
habitat for local wildlife.
25m
Facts
18m
Age:
100 to 120+ years
(approx)
Native to:
Southern Europe
Location:
11
Rockingham
Recreation Ground,
Rockingham Road,
Uxbridge, UB8 2TZ
4.3m
Council owned
25
Sweet Chestnut
(Castanea sativa)
Cranford Park Countryside Park, Hayes
This veteran Sweet Chestnut is located in Cranford
Countryside Park and is just to the south of the main car
park, a few hundred metres away. This species is native
to Southern Europe and Asia, and was introduced to
Britain by the Romans for its edible nuts which are
traditionally roasted.
This tree is a registered veteran tree with the Woodland
Trust and has a number of associated characteristics,
most notably its significant girth size at almost 6m.
Facts
13m
Age:
300 to 350+ years
(approx)
10m
Native to:
Southern Europe and
Asia
Location:
Cranford Park
Countryside Park,
Hayes, Middlesex,
TW5 9RZ
5.8m
12
Council owned
27
Sycamore
(Acer pseudoplatanus)
Gravel Pits, off Copse Wood Way, Northwood
This mature multi-stemmed Sycamore is growing besides
a small path within the Gravel Pits. Access to the tree is
straightforward: park at the top of Copse Wood Way and
walk across the grassed picnic area and the tree is close
to the path. What is remarkable about this Sycamore tree
is the extent of the root plate that supports the vast bulk
of the six stems that makes up this large tree.
The Gravel Pits is a small wooded open space in Northwood,
south of Rickmansworth Road, and are the worked out
remains of gravel and sand extraction pits that were
operated hundreds of years ago. Sand and gravel would
have been transported from here to Ruislip via small
lanes and across Poor’s Field, adjacent to Copse Wood
and Ruislip Lido.
14m
Facts
26m
6.3m
Age:
200 to 300 years
(approx)
Native to:
Central, eastern and
Southern Europe
Location:
13
Gravel Pits,
off Copse Wood Way,
Northwood
29
Sycamore
(Acer pseudoplatanus)
Park Lodge Farm, Harefield
This veteran Sycamore is located on the U31 Public Right
of Way – about 90m north of the nearby Park Lodge Farm
building. It is a deciduous broadleaf tree, probably
introduced to the British Isles in the Middle Ages, where
it is now a naturalised species.
The tree is made up of several large stems and is probably
an outgrown coppice (a traditional method of woodland
management which takes advantage of the fact that many
trees make new growth from the stump or roots if cut
down). It is probably the largest and oldest Sycamore in
the borough.
Up until about 10 years ago, the tree’s basal area reached
across to the ‘stump’ that can be seen to the left of the
main stem in the photograph, so was truly an enormous
tree. Even now, the remaining part of the stem has a girth
of about 6m. It is estimated that, had the entire stem
been present, it would have measured about 9m in girth.
15m
Facts
20m
6-8m
Age:
500+ years (approx)
Native to:
Central, eastern and
southern Europe
Location:
Park Lodge Farm,
Harefield
14
31
Turkey Oak
(Quercus cerris)
Eastcote House Gardens, Eastcote
This tree is a good example of a mature Turkey oak. The
tree is located close to the southern entrance to Eastcote
House Gardens. Although Turkey oak was present in the
British Isles before the previous ice age, about 12,000
years ago, this tree species was reintroduced back to the
British Isles in the eighteenth century.
This particular specimen has a tall, straight trunk and is
a good example of this introduced species. Leaves from
this tree are distinctively rough, while the bark fissures
(the spaces between the bark plates) are often streaked
orange.
12m
Facts
Age:
150+ years (approx)
24m
4m
Native to:
South-eastern
Europe and Asia
Minor
Location:
Eastcote House
Gardens, close to
Field End Road,
Eastcote
15
33
Produced by the London Borough of Hillingdon August 2015
12277