Tree Gazing Trail, Royal Victoria Park,
Led by Alan Rayner and
Kate Souter
Amazing trees and
their natural history found near the centre of the city of Bath were explored
with reference to ‘The Tree Gazing Trail’ developed by the Bath Royal Literary
and Scientific Institution (BRLSI) in partnership with Mark Cassidy, BNES
Arboricultural Officer. Beginning at the
gravel walk, at the eastern end of Royal Victoria Park, the trail identifies 20
trees along a route which includes the Botanical Gardens found on the North
Western side of the park. As well as learning
about the unique stories of the trees; the walk gives a chance to encounter a
range of flora and fauna along the way.
Included on our walk
were native species, eg copper beech (Fagus
sylvatica purpurea); species originally from Europe, eg London plane (Platanus x hispanica); a ‘living fossil’, maidenhair tree (Gingko biloba) with divided leaves; and
a deciduous conifer once thought to be extinct, dawn redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides). A notable
discovery was the richness of the epiphytic communities on both copper beech
and London plane trees. With the aid of
hand-lenses, these communities were found to include a surprising array of
mosses and lichens. These included plait-moss,
Hypnum cupressiforme, green yoke-moss,
Zygodon viridissimus and Physcia adscendens, a grey lichen.
Birdsong accompanied
the walk. Taking time for just a few minutes of stillness, blackbird, wren and
blackcap song could be heard. Wildflowers
flourishing in shady places under the tree canopy included the bulbous
buttercup.
In summary, a
fascinating morning spent looking at a diverse range of trees in late spring;
at a distance and close-up.
Kate Souter
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