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The Trees of Margravine
Trees are of great importance to the cemetery providing beauty and a perfect habitat for birds and minibeasts. Trees have been planted since the opening of the cemetery with many mature ash, sycamores and planes included in its rich diversity.
Many are reaching the end of their lives, others are weakened by fungal attack, insect attack and climate change. Since 2006, the Friends have planted young trees for succession, each year choosing both natives and interesting non-natives. Our list has included many different species including those of oak, lime, maple and chestnut. Increasingly we have paid great attention to resilience to climate change.
Throughout each year following the planting, we regularly water in spring, summer and early autumn. On gardening days, we will often be found weeding and mulching the young trees.
Our Trees and Climate Change
The affects of climate change are felt keenly. The soil is free draining in the cemetery so that the droughts of recent years together with fierce temperatures have contributed towards the loss of several mature trees including the line of western hemlocks along the main drive. Sudden and violent storms have brough high winds and high rainfall - when in full leaf, trees under stress are more likely to be blown down. Pests and diseases that used not to survive our winters are now surviving with a warmer climate. Many of our native species are now prone to pest and fungal attack. Examples of this in the cemetery include plane wilt, ash die-back, horse chestnut leaf minor.
Our resident haiku poet, David Jacobs, writes
in full regalia
the mighty trees
of Margravine
His work is regularly updated on the Friends' noticeboard
Tree Gallery - is in progress!
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