A NEW online guide that highlights some of the magnificent trees in Leicester’s Victoria Park has been compiled by city council volunteers.
Published in time for National Tree Week, the new tree trail celebrates more than 20 species of trees that can be discovered in a stroll around the park.
As well as an oak tree planted in 1946 to mark the visit to the city by King George VI, a wild cherry tree that commemorates the victims of Hiroshima, and the first Dutch elm disease-resistant elms to be planted in the city, Victoria Park also boasts an avenue of dawn redwoods – an ancient species that existed in the time of the dinosaurs.
Familiar trees, such as the beautiful horse chestnut, are included too, but the trail also features less well-known species, such as the copper beech, the Lombardy poplar, the Italian alder, and the exotic-sounding tree of heaven, which is originally from China.
Having selected the trees that are featured in the trail, Leicester’s volunteer tree wardens researched their history and populated the online guide.
Assistant city mayor Cllr Vi Dempster said: “National Tree Week is the perfect opportunity for us to celebrate the importance of trees in the city and to thank the volunteers who do so much to help us maintain and improve Leicester’s tree stock.
“Our tree wardens have been busy mapping the trees in our community orchards, checking on the condition of newly-planted woodland trees and making improvements at planting sites, with the help of the Leicester Environmental Volunteer team.
“Their dedicated support to our trees and woodlands team is greatly appreciated.
“This winter, the city council will be planting more than 5,000 new trees at sites around Leicester, but this new tree trail will introduce you to just 22 of the city’s established trees. Why not mark National Tree Week by exploring one of Leicester’s most popular parks and finding out more about some of the magnificent trees in Victoria Park?”
Online tree trails are also available for Abbey Park, Castle Hill Country Park, Evington Park, Humberstone Park and Western Park.
National Tree Week runs from 23 November to 1 December and marks the start of the winter planting season.
Between now and the end of March 2025, the city council will be planting over 5,000 trees at various sites around the city.
Species to be planted will be predominantly British native, but there will also be more exotic species planted at suitable locations where they will add to the biodiversity of the area.
Tree canopy covers around 16% of the city, with the city council managing a tree stock of 182,000 individual trees and 113 hectares of woodland. This includes trees in parks and open spaces, on highway verges, on housing estates, within the grounds of schools, and around community facilities.
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Picture caption: Leicester's tree wardens with the oak tree that was planted in 1946 to mark the visit of the King and Queen.