Self Guided Tree Walks in Bloomsbury, Camden:
The Big Smoke would be a far less pleasant place to live without the presence
of all of the trees in the streets, on the housing estates and in the parks in
Camden. There are just short of 30,000 trees in the borough of Camden
alone, and many of these are spectacular; shrouding eyesores, reducing air
and water pollution and contributing to the atmosphere and tranquillity of the
valuable green spaces which give balance to the hustle and bustle of the
Capital.
The self-guided tree walks have been created by Camden’s tree section to
allow you to explore this exciting part of Camden in pursuit of trees. If you
want more information about how we care for the trees in Camden, please
see www.camden.gov.uk/trees.
The walks will take you through back streets, gardens, squares and parks and
direct you toward trees of interest and beauty and providing you with some
information about the various species of tree found in the borough.
For those with an appetite and stamina for maximum tree knowledge there
are two walks: East and West Bloomsbury so you can choose a short or
longer walk.
ROUTE 2, EAST BLOOMSBURY:
1) ST. PANCRAS GARDENS:
‘The Hardy Ash’ (Fraxinus excelsior)
THIS TREE IS TAGGED FOR EASY IDENTIFICATION.
This tree is the one surrounded by grave stones which lean against/are
embedded in its trunk., and was one of three trees in the London Borough of
Camden awarded ‘Great Tree’ status by Trees for Cities in 2008 as a special
tree worthy of recognition as part of their annual request for nominations to
find “the capital’s 20 favourite trees”. The Hardy Ash is a particularly fine
example of a species native to Britain and known as the Tree of Kings to the
Vikings. Ash trees are typically 20-35m tall with smooth bark and long, pointed
leaves.
King’s Cross was being regenerated in the 1860s. At this time the exhumation
of human remains and the removal of tombs was supervised by the architect
Blomfield, although he delegated much of this unpleasant task to his young
protégé (The) Thomas Hardy. The tree has since grown around the
gravestones, which Hardy placed against the tree’s trunk during the task.
The Old Saint Pancras Church, where the tree is located, is probably the
oldest Church in Britain. It was named after Saint Pancras, a Roman martyr
killed in 304 AD at the age of 14.
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2) ARGYLE SQUARE:
London Planes (Platinus x hispanica)
Within the square there are many un-pollarded London Planes including one
with multi-stems. Plane trees, beloved by the Victorians, were planted
profusely in the capital, hence their adopted name, London Plane. As with all
Latin names, the ‘x’ indicates a hybrid. It was first recorded occurring in Spain
in the 17th Century (hence the Latin species ‘hispanica’), where the Oriental
Plane and the American Plane had been planted in proximity to one another,
enables the tree to hybridize naturally.
London Planes are very tolerant of atmospheric pollution and root
compaction, and for this reason they are a popular street trees in cities. They
are now extensively cultivated in most temperate climes as an ornamental
and park tree. The London Plane is also tolerant of low temperatures and is a
large deciduous tree growing to 20–35 m (exceptionally over 40 m) tall, with a
trunk which can reach 3m or more in circumference. Consequently, it is often
pollarded in urban environments to limit its size. Opinion on the aesthetic
value of pollarded London Plane trees varies, but it would be hard to imagine
anyone disputing their presence and beauty when allowed to grow freely, as
these specimens demonstrate.
3) JUDD STREET OPEN SPACE:
Rowan (Sorbus acuparia)
You will see Holy Cross Church as you reach Cromer Street. The entrance to
Judd Street Open Space is just to the right of the church if you are facing it.
You will see lots of Rowan trees on the approach, on Cromer Street.
Native to Britain as well as most of Europe, it is widely grown as an
ornamental tree Rowan is very tolerant of cold and is often found at high
altitude; in the UK it occurs at up to 1000m, higher than any other species of
tree. The fruit (rowan berries) are an important food resource for many birds,
for example Redwings, Fieldfares, Blackbirds, Mistle Thrushes and
Waxwings, which disperse the seeds in their droppings, aiding propagation. In
the capital however, they probably feed mainly pigeons! The berries are quite
bitter and inedible when fresh, but can be used to make jam or Rowan Jelly, a
traditional accompaniment to game and venison with a distinctive bitter
flavour.
Norway Maple (Acer platanoides)
THIS TREE IS TAGGED FOR EASY IDENTIFICATION.
Within the space, you will see a Norway Maple. Native to Europe but not
Britain, although it is now widely grown here after its introduction in the 17th
century. The leaves turn a clear yellow in winter. Its yellow flowers are a
useful source of food for early flying bees and its wood was used for woodturning, joinery and furniture making.
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Silver Birches (Betula pendula)
There are some young Birch trees in the north-west corner of the space,
recognisable by their pale, whitish bark. Silver Birch (Finland’s national tree) is
a widespread European birch native to Europe, including Britain, though in
southern Europe it is only found at higher altitudes. Silver Birch is often
planted as a garden and ornamental tree, grown for its attractive pale bark
and gracefully drooping shoots (hence the species, ‘pendula’). Left
unattended, they usually live between 60 and 80 years, rarely longer. Their
sparse foliage and pretty shaped leaves allow sunlight to penetrate through
their canopy and they are therefore a popular in urban environments.
Naturally, they are often found on the edge of woodland and are known as
‘colonisers’ for their ability to quickly populate an area of land.
Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus)
If you take the path past the central Plane Tree and veer left the exit you will
come to leads to Regent Square. Before the square there are several
Hornbeams, native to Britain. Their close-knit globular form, and bright green
leaves make them a nice medium sized tree. It requires a warm climate for
good growth, and occurs only at elevations up to 600 metres. The species is
often used as hedging.
If you walk diagonally through the square you will see an entrance to St.
George’s Gardens on the right just after the vehicle width restrictors in the
road.
4) ST. GEORGE’S GARDENS AND CORAM’S WALKWAY:
There is the option of taking either of the following two routes on this tree
walk:
a) St George’s Gardens is a disused cemetery with a tranquil atmosphere
and several trees of interest. Including several large un-pollarded London
Planes, note the particularly large one with co-dominant stems (two main
stems).
Autumn Cherry (Prunus x subhirtella 'Autumnalis’)
THIS TREE IS TAGGED FOR EASY IDENTIFICATION.
A lovely species of Cherry tree which flowers from November through to
March and sometimes April (something no other ornamental cherry does),
bringing a bit of floral beauty to the gardens when most other trees are bare. It
has bronze-green spring foliage and reliable orange and yellow autumn leaf
colour and is longer-lived than many of the Japanese ornamental cherries.
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English Oak (Quercus robur)
To the left in the corner you will see a lovely young Oak tree, native to Britain,
and very long lived, it is not uncommon for this tree to live in excess of 500
years. Oak trees are valuable for timber and were especially valuable
historically when much of Britain was covered in Oak forests, hence the oak
tree being something of a national emblem, (a sprig of oak leaves and acorns
is the emblem of the National Trust.)
Numerous insects live on the leaves, buds, and in the acorns of the Oak tree,
and the acorns are a valuable food resource for several small mammals and
some birds.
b) Coram’s Walkway:
The line running between tree 4 and tree 5 on the map, represents Coram’s
Walkway, a Lovely quiet path leading to classic London Town houses next to
St George’s Gardens. Lined with several fine specimens of un-pollarded
London Planes note the particularly stunning one with three dominant stems.
5) BRUNSWICK SQUARE:
The Brunswick Plane
THIS TREE IS TAGGED FOR EASY IDENTIFICATION.
If you enter Brunswick Square by the entrance opposite The Renoir cinema,
the Brunswick Plane is slightly off to the right of the centre of the square. It is
one of three trees in Camden that were given status as ‘Great Tree’ of London
by Trees for Cities in 2008.
The Brunswick Plane is one of the original trees planted in Brunswick Square
by the Victorians. This elegant London Plane specimen has been left to grow
to its natural shape with low swooping branches only a couple of metres off
the ground, and with a huge trunk and spread of leaves from spring to
autumn.
Two London Plane trees showing ‘bottling’ can be found next to the railings
at the southern edge of the square. This is the effect of a tree putting on lots
of ‘reaction wood’ (stronger denser wood), and bud proliferation possibly as a
response to an irritation such as bacterial infection for example. You can
recognise these trees by their short fat trunks which are covered in bumps.
Timber from such trees can have high potential value for decorative purposes,
for example coffee tables fashioned from the wood of trees with this effect are
popular and can be quite expensive.
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Red Oak (Quercus rubra)
THIS TREE IS TAGGED FOR EASY IDENTIFICATION.
Also along the southern railings is this memorial tree. Native to North America
and South East Canada, it grows rapidly and is tolerant of many soils and
varied environments, although prefers the glacial drift or well-drained borders
of streams for example. In optimal conditions, Northern red oaks are fast
growing, and a tree of 10 years can be 5-6 metres tall. Like English Oaks,
Red Oaks can live to be around 500 years old. This tree is easy to recognise
by its bark, which typically features bark ridges which appear to have shiny
vertical ‘stripes’. Other oaks may have this feature in the upper tree, but the
Northern red oak is the only tree with this appearance all the way down the
trunk. It is one of the most notable Oaks for timber production in North
America, and the wood can be of high value. There are few specimens of this
tree in Camden.
Maidenhair Tree (Ginkgo biloba)
THIS TREE IS TAGGED FOR EASY IDENTIFICATION.
To the right of the Brunswick Plane is a nice large specimen, note the
branches ‘hugging’ the stem. The Ginkgo biloba is a unique species of tree
with no close living relatives. For centuries the tree was thought to be extinct
in the wild, but it is now known to grow in at least two small regions in the
Zhejiang province in Eastern China. ‘Female’ trees are rarely planted as the
seeds omit a pungent and unpleasant odour, however, there is a specimen of
a female Ginkgo biloba tree outside Kew Gardens in London. Some species
of Ginkgo biloba in China are believed to be up to 1500 years old. As a
supplement in herbal medicine, the tree is mainly used as a memory and
concentration enhancer as it is thought to increase circulation, especially to
the brain, and to be an anti-vertigo agent. However, studies differ about its
efficacy. These trees are quite hardy; remarkably, a few specimens survived
the bombing at Hiroshima and are still alive today.
Wych Elm (Ulmus globula)
THIS TREE IS TAGGED FOR EASY IDENTIFICATION.
Towards the east wall of the square opposite the Hunter street exit. Wych
elms are native to Europe including Britain, Asia Minor, and the Caucasus.
The tree was by far the most common elm in the north and west of the British
Isles, and is now acknowledged as the only truly native species. While the
species is highly susceptible to Dutch elm disease, It is a less favoured
species as a host by the elm bark beetles which act as vectors. It can be
surprisingly tolerant of urban air-pollution, constricted growing conditions and
severe pollarding. The wood, though more porous than that of the Common
Elm, is tough and hardy when properly seasoned, and being very flexible
when steamed, is well adapted for boat-building, though for the purposes of
the wheelwright and millwright is inferior to that of the Common Elm.
Branches of Wych Elm were used historically for making bows and when
forked were employed as divining rods. The bark of the young limbs is very
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tough and flexible, and is often stripped off in long ribands and used in Wales
for securing thatch and other similar purposes.
6) QUEEN SQUARE:
Fig Tree (Ficus carica)
The coppice at the corner near Queen Court is a member of the Fig family.
Coppicing is an ancient form of tree management; a way to encourage the
tree to send up new, more numerous shoots. Beneficial for timber production
and also resulting in prolonged life of the tree, this was an early form of
woodland management practiced in Britain for thousands of years. Once the
stem’s re-growth reaches the ideal girth/size (for the proprietor’s needs) the
process would be repeated (usually somewhere between 5 and 20 year
intervals). Coppicing can be practiced on various species of tree as this Fig
tree demonstrates well. The Common Fig is a large deciduous shrub or small
tree, widely grown for its edible fruit in the Mediterranean region and beyond.
It has been an important food crop for thousands of years, the edible fig is
thought to be one of the first plants that was cultivated by humans, ancient
fossil evidence suggests, and figs are one of the highest plant sources of
calcium and fiber.
Portuguese Laurel (Prunus lusitanica)
Situated behind the memorial bench on the Homeopathic Hospital side of
Queen Square. This variety of Laurel has luxurious dark green, pointed,
glossy leaves on bright red stems. It has small white flowers which have a
beautiful, honey-like fragrance in summer and small red fruits, turning black in
autumn. It is easy to grow in all soils and situations (including shade) but
dislikes coastal positions. It is relatively fast growing at approx 40cm and
should be trimmed to shape in late summer. Like other Laurels, the leaves
and fruits contain cyanide and are harmful if eaten.
7) RED LION SQUARE:
Purple Plum (Prunus cerasifera nigra)
THIS TREE IS TAGGED FOR EASY IDENTIFICATION.
This tree is at the north-east corner if you enter the square from Princeton
Street. Very gnarly and old for its species, it produces edible fruit. Tolerating a
range of climates, this pretty, small tree has dark-purple leaves. It is very free
flowering, and produces pink flowers which fade in colour as the tree ages,
usually come early, during March and April. They precede the leaves, and
then the tree can flower again as the ‘bronzed’ young foliage emerges. Purple
foliaged trees are often at their most attractive in spring.
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Field Maple (Acer campestre)
THIS TREE IS TAGGED FOR EASY IDENTIFICATION.
Situated further into the square on the first grassy area is a small Field Maple.
A native tree, traditionally the wood of Field Maples was valued for its fine
grain and was used for wood-turning, high quality carving and musical
instruments (particularly harps). The wood is also used as a veneer as it takes
a polish well. The sap, like all maples, can be used to make maple syrup or
wine. More recently field maple has become common in towns and cities as it
is an attractive tree that withstands pollution well.
8) LINCOLN’S INN FIELDS:
Lincoln’s Inn Fields are full of wonderful trees, but here are a couple of more
unusual ones:
Indian Bean Tree (Catalpa bignonioides)
THIS TREE IS TAGGED FOR EASY IDENTIFICATION.
This is a beautiful specimen of and Indian Bean tree, from southeastern
United States. Europeans first observed it growing in the fields of the
Cherokee Native American tribes, who called it Catalpa. However, its vitality
enables it to flourish in the North as well, and its true nativity is thus uncertain.
Despite its southern origins, it has been able to grow almost anywhere in the
United States and southernmost Canada, and has become widely naturalized
outside of its native range. It is widely grown as an ornamental tree and bears
some of the showiest flowers of all the American native trees, in the form of
trumpet shaped, white with yellow spots inside.
Mimosa or Silver Wattle (Acacia dealbata)
In the fenced off area of Lincoln’s Inn Fields at the north-east corner you will
see an evergreen conifer with very fine leaves made up of tiny blue-green
leaflets. This is native to New South Wales and Tasmania although is now
grown in central and Southern Europe. In early spring it has beautiful ‘fuzzy’
spherical clusters of yellow flowers which are highly fragrant. Subsequently,
these become pale blueish seed pods 5-7cm long. In colder climes such as
Britain, the seed dormancy mechanism, naturally triggered by fire, can be
broken by soaking the seeds with scalding water then allowing them to soak
in the cooled liquid for up to 48 hours before sowing the viable swollen seeds.
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11 ST
ST PANCRAS
PANCRAS CHURCHYARD
CHURCHYARD
ö
22 ARGYLE
ARGYLE SQUARE
SQUARE
ö
33 JUDD
JUDD STREET
STREET OPEN
OPEN SPACE
SPACE
ö
44 ST
ST GEORGE'S
GEORGE'S GARDENS
GARDENS
ö
55 BRUNSWICK
BRUNSWICK SQUARE
SQUARE
ö
66 QUEEN'S
QUEEN'S SQUARE
SQUARE
ö
77 RED
ö
RED LION
LION SQUARE
SQUARE
88 LINCOLN'S
LINCOLN'S INN
INN FIELDS
FIELDS
ö
Tree walk 2 East Bloomsbury
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© Crown copyright. All rights reserved
(Licence Number: 100019726) (Year: 2010)
Print Date: 22/03/2010
Printed By: Lorna Small
Map Ref No: c03569