Tree-mendous occasion at Long Park

LONG Park in Sidmouth welcomed a tree-mendous new addition when a maple was planted at the spot on Sunday.

Sidmouth Arboretum secured the sapling, which was gratefully accepted by the town council.

Hugh Angus, the former curator at Westonbirt National Arboretum and an expert on maples, had kindly donated the tree.

Councillor Maggie Baldwin, who had suggested a planting at Long Park, was on hand with council chairman Stuart Hughes.

Several youngsters who were curious to see why a large hole was being dug also joined in.

The red maple – Acer rubrum ‘Brandywine’ – with its pretty coloured leaves, was settled into its new home, helped by Sean Carnell, Bayley Hitchens and Corey Jones.

Diana East and Edward Willis Fleming of the Sidmouth Arboretum committee also pitched in.

They thanked Alan Fowler of the district council, which monitors and maintains the site.

A tree tour of the town also took place on Sunday afternoon as part of Sidmouth’s Science Festival.

Mr Angus led a turnout of more than 35 participants who set off from the Three Cornered Plot to find the unusual, ancient, and just plain fascinating in the trees and shrubs of the town’s public and private gardens.

From the exotic fruits of Blackmore Gardens, by way of the wildlife in a small courtyard garden, through to the smelly foliage of Clerodendrum in Glen Goyle – there was much to explore and discover.

Mr Angus outlined how to identify trees from their leaves or the thorns on the bark.

The day ended courtesy of Littlecourt Cottages, who welcomed the party with tea and cake.