PARK TREES 135 



the Deciduous Cypress, one of which is amongst 

 the largest in London. Various species of Pyrus, 

 Crataegus, and Acer are likewise doing well, and the 

 Weeping Willows by the pond-side are attractive. The 

 Weeping Ash by the pelicans' enclosure, which has been 

 trained on trellis work for a distance of 35 yards, is 

 one of the finest in London. The Catalpa may be seen 

 in good form, as also in several parts of the garden, 

 while a line of Mulberry trees show by their growth 

 that the stiffish soil of the parks suits them well. 



Greenwich Park contains by far the finest Spanish 

 Chestnut trees that are to be found in the Metropolitan 

 area, some of these having ponderous trunks that 

 girth up to 20 feet in circumference. One of the 

 largest specimens of Gleditschia triacanthos, which is 

 50 feet high, and 3 feet n inches in girth at a yard up, 

 may also be seen near St. Mary's entrance to the park, 

 while by far the largest tree of the Common Thorn 

 that can be seen in London is growing in the grounds 

 by the Ranger's Lodge. It is 60 feet high, and 5 feet 

 9 inches in stem girth at a yard up. A group of Pavias 

 is also interesting, as is the unusually large Purple- 

 leaved Beech, Walnut, Mulberry, Ailanthus and various 

 species of Pyrus. The old, weather-beaten Oak on 

 the hillside below the Royal Observatory has been 

 dead for many years, but the decayed, hollow stem 

 is successfully supported by Ivy. 



In 1900 quite a number of rare and interesting 

 trees were planted in the park, particularly in what 

 is known as the Wilderness by the pond. Many of 

 these have thriven well, the gravelly subsoil being 

 suitable for their growth. These include several of 

 the best Pyrus, Fagus, Fraxinus, Betula and Quercus. 

 The Paper Birch thrives well, as do the Dogwoods, 



