Arboreta, who needs ‘em.

Autumn in the city…..

It is a fantastic year for autumn colour; it’s all about the right combination of sun & frosts at the right time of the year. People are dashing off to arboretums*, woods & tree filled gardens to see the glorious colours. But hang on, even in the middle of the city they are there right in front of your nose…..or possibly feet.

I thought I would capture some of my local colour before it all disappeared in a puff of wind.

We have an enormous variety of street trees here; I once spoke to the council tree man who said they had been given a ‘job lot’ some years previously.

 

There are lots of older trees, including the London Plane, which get pollarded every year & can look rather odd…

 

Trees more recently planted are usually some sort of Rowan whilst  Amelanchier are also quite popular. The Magnolia stellata below is brilliant in spring but turning rather nicely here.

The peach, yes, you read it correctly, the peach is not looking too good!

 

The Gingko is rather odd as a street tree with its right-angled branches, but we have several. The butter yellow leaves look almost good enough to eat, but most are on the pavement!

 

Addendum: this one in a nearby street has more leaves!

I have saved my favourite tree until the end. It is quite truly stunning.

This tree positively glows at the end of the road. I hope you agree; small yet perfectly formed.

Actually, not quite the last because I am sure you are wondering how my own (1 tree) woodland is looking… ….I am considering re-designating it as an arboretum.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*the plural of arboretum can be either arboreta or arboretums.