Chiswick House Friends Tree Trail
Below we reproduce our Tree Trail leaflet, first published by the Friends in 2004 and sold for 50p!
The trail winds between some of the best known trees in the Gardens: since 2004 some have been lost (for instance the large Swamp Cypress by the lake), but others have been added, for instance the Wollemi Pine.
The order of trees follows the path shown in the diagram below, starting at the back of the House, and finishing by the Cascade.
1. The ITALIAN CYPRESS
Cupressus sempervirens is the classic cypress of the ancients and is the only one known before 1600. Planted here as part of the restoration work these form a processional avenue of trees and sculptures that began with statues of a boar and a wolf, and lead to the lions and statues of the ‘exedra’. The cypress avenue was regarded in Renaissance Italy as a symbol of authority, and is characteristic of the Italian landscape today.
2. The CEDAR OF LEBANON
Cedrus libani, is renowned for its grandeur and longevity. It is mentioned in the Bible as a symbol of fertility and abundance and can be used to line wardrobes because its scent repels insects and moths. It was the only exotic tree used by Capability Brown. These cedars were planted in 1741.
3. The LONDON PLANE
Platanus x hispanica, has hybrid vigour combined with near indestructibility and a great life span. On large planes the well-known mottled bark is only visible higher up. It is popular as a city tree because the shedding of its bark plates prevents it being suffocated by urban grime. The two magnificent specimens near the Italian gardens are among the tallest trees in the Gardens.
4. The MONTEREY PINE
Pinus radiata, is a large tree with a deeply fissured bark. Introduced from California by David Douglas in 1833, it is a fast grower, putting on up to 4’ a year in Britain (and a record 20’ in one year in New Zealand!).
5. The MONKEY PUZZLE or CHILEAN PINE
Araucaria araucana, also a popular tree in Victorian times. The Araucaria forests on the volcanic slopes of its native Chile are now under threat of extinction. It was introduced in 1795 by Archibald Menzies who, while dining with the Viceroy of Chile, managed to ‘acquire’ the kernels offered as dessert and germinated them on his sea voyage home.
6. The MAIDENHAIR TREE
Gingko biloba, is the sole survivor of an ancient family of trees that existed some 160m years ago. Regarded as sacred in the East, it is often planted in the vicinity of Buddhist temples. The Chinese called it the duck's foot tree, because of its leaves. It was re-introduced to England c.1758.
7. The YEW
Taxus baccata, is poisonous to humans and livestock and was often confined to churchyards, having survived from older, Celtic or Pagan sacred sites where it represented immortality and the afterlife. It is very long lived, and its use as a hedge was popularised by John Evelyn in the 17th century. It was also used in medieval times for making archery longbows. These two yews are all that remain of a series of hedged alleys planted by Lord Burlington that formed a star point.
8. The SWEET CHESTNUT
Castanea sativa, was believed to have been introduced by the Romans who used its nuts for flour. Children used to make ‘fish bones’ by removing the leaf tissue to reveal the ribs. Today the nuts are still used to make pollenta. This glade is surrounded by eight of these trees and was originally used as a Bowling Green by Lord Burlington.
9. The AUSTRIAN or BLACK PINE
Pinus nigra – dark foliaged and very tough, tolerating atmospheric pollution better than most trees. It is interesting to compare its form with the Lebanon Cedars. It was only introduced to Britain in the mid 19th century, so is not authentic Burlingtonia!
10. The HOLM OAK
Quercus ilex, has been cultivated in England since the 16th century but originates from the Mediterranean where it is used for hedges and topiary. Many of the holm oaks in these gardens were planted by Lord Burlington who also planted other ‘Italian' trees such as cedar, cypress and laurel to evoke images of ancient Rome.
11. WOLLEMI PINE
Wollemia nobilis has to be one of the rarest trees anywhere. Believed extinct for two million years, it was “rediscovered” in 1994 by David Noble, a NSW Wildlife Officer. It is believed only 100 wild trees exist today.
12. COMMON LIME
Tilia x europaea, first came into fashion during the 17th century. A hybrid of Europe's big and small-leaved limes, it is our tallest broadleaf. The quality of the grain makes it popular for carving and for musical instruments. It is used at Chiswick to line Dukes Avenue and Lord Burlington's Avenue, which originally focused on the Bagnio (now demolished).
13. The SWAMP OR BALD CYPRESS
Taxodium distichum, deciduous and native to the Florida everglades, and was introduced by John Tradescant c. 1640. Its needles turn a splendid red/brown colour in autumn. The 'knee-like' growths arise over points where its deep sinker roots descend into the mud.
14. The LOMBARDY POPLAR
Populus nigra ‘Italica’, is distinctive in being very narrow and often planted in a group. It has glossy green leaves which turn yellow in autumn. Its wood is used in France to make Camembert boxes. It was brought to Essex from Turin in 1758 and is highly adaptable as to site and soil.
15. The FULHAM OAK
Quercus x hispanica 'Fulhamensis', often mistakenly called a Holm, Turners or Lucombe oak. However the identity of ours has been proved by DNA testing. The Fulham Oak is a hybrid originally raised at Osborne's Fulham nursery around 1760. Note its cork-like bark.
16. The FASTIGIATE OAK
Quercus robur ‘Fastigiata’, (left), also called a Cypress oak because of its tall columnar shape, quite unlike the usual spreading oak. It was discovered in a German forest in the 18th century.
17. The TULIP TREE
Liriodendron tulipifera, – so called because its flowers are tulip-shaped. These flowers are usually only produced after the tree is 25 years old or so. It flowers in mid-June and goes a magnificent golden yellow in the autumn. It prefers soil that is not too dry, so this location near the lake in full sun is perfect.