Champion Trees

I got up early last Sunday (10.30) and joined a walking tour of the trees planted over the past 50 years in Roath Park in the area around the bowling pavilion and was accompanied by  25 others who are no doubt now also suffering with a stiff neck. 

It occurred to me how many times I've enjoyed this beautiful place and how few of the trees

I'd ever noticed.

The walk was led by Malcolm Frazer and Terry Davies seen pointing in the following two pictures respectively. These fellas are passionate about trees.

Between the two of them, they know all the trees planted in Cardiff parks over the last 50 years as they did a lot of the planting. They entertained us with some great banter, frequently disagreeing with each other about their particular favourites. They make a good team; Terry explaining why the trees were so special, Malcolm passing on all the relevant Latin and genus information for the note takers.

There are some stunning specimens

I met some nice folk and here are three things I learned -

A Champion Tree  is defined as one which is either tallest or has the largest diameter at breast height. Bute Park has more Champion Trees than any other public park in Great Britain. . . .  and . . . . second on that list is Roath Park. 

The deluge didn't bother anyone

and . .

Roath Park was created in 1894 from a malarial bog. Covering 130 acres, it once had 17 resident gardeners. Now there are only 4 visiting gardeners and they could do with a little help . . . . the 'Friends of Roath Park' organise working days, walks and talks and other events - to join, it costs £5 a year per household to cover admin and you can e-mail
katefurlong@hotmail.co.uk for an application form or call into the Conservatory, and feed the Koi Carp at the same time.

Thanks Terry & Malcolm for all the trees.