Three hundred year old tree in Ely to live on thanks to King’s and Barcham Trees
Left to right: David Johnson, sales executive and planting consultant at Barcham Trees, Will Temple, grounds and gardens manager at King's Ely, Cathy White, trees officer at East Cambridgeshire District Council and Mark Hart, chief operating officer at King’s Ely. Picture: KING’S ELY - Credit: Archant
It’s been hailed one of Britain’s finest trees, now the 300-year-old plant in Ely will live on thanks to King’s and a local nursery.
The Great London Plane Tree, which has its own place in national heritage, will live on for hundreds, if not thousands, more years following the new partnership.
The tree is based at King’s Ely’s sixth form site and it attracts enthusiasts from across the world, they visit the school on a weekly basis to get up close with the Plane tree.
Will Temple, gardens manager at King’s Ely, said: “It [the tree] has become an integral part of my working life and something which I truly care for.
“We’re now making our own history with the tree, working to preserve it in many ways, and seeing it continue to grow through the seasons is such a privilege.”
In 2013, King’s launched a project with Barcham Trees to take cuttings from the Plane tree and to nurture and grow them on as a direct strain of the original UK trees.
David Johnson, sales executive and planting consultant at Barcham Trees, said: “You cannot fail to be impressed by the sheer scale of this tree.
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“We are delighted to be working alongside King’s and Cathy White at the district council in the successful propagation of cuttings for this historically important tree.
“Further planting of the young trees will take place at Barcham’s planned arboretum and visitors’ centre, and it is hoped that stock of the young trees will be available to purchase in the near future.”
