Published: 14 November 2024
What is National Tree Week all about?
National Tree Week is the UK’s largest annual tree celebration, held every year to mark the start of the winter tree-planting season. Initiated in 1975 by the Tree Council, this weeklong event encourages communities, schools, and individuals to take positive environmental action by planting trees and raising awareness about their importance. National Tree Week usually begins in late November, aligning with the season when conditions are optimal for new tree growth.
This event brings together thousands of people who recognise the essential role that trees play in combating climate change, preserving biodiversity, and improving air quality. Trees are natural air purifiers, helping to absorb carbon dioxide, release oxygen, and filter pollutants from the air. They also provide habitats for wildlife, prevent soil erosion, and enhance natural landscapes, making our surroundings healthier and more beautiful.
National Tree Week is an opportunity for everyone—from seasoned gardeners to first-time planters—to contribute to a greener, more sustainable future. By participating, people not only foster a connection with nature but also make a meaningful impact on the environment for generations to come.
Our National Champion Tree
Here at Holker Hall & Gardens, National Tree Week is cause for a double celebration. Following a recent visit to Cumbria by tree measurement experts from The UK & Ireland Tree Register, a tree in our 25-acre Gardens has been declared a national champion. It will now star in a “Trees of Distinction” Tree Trail devised specially to celebrate National Tree Week here at our historic venue.
Holker’s Head Gardener Matthew Murgatroyd explains “We are very excited to be able to include our new national champion, the Metasequoia “Goldrush” Golden Dawn Redwood Tree, in our special Holker Tree Trail which will be established ready for visitors to enjoy, from Saturday 23rd November. It will join nationally important trees like our Great Lime on the trail to create a journey of discovery and education within our award-winning Gardens”.
Trees of Distinction – the Holker Tree Trail
If you’re looking for things to do in Cumbria this weekend, why not celebrate National Tree Week with us? Here’s a brief description of each of the trees featured in our “Trees of Distinction” Tree Trail.
A grand tree for a grand entrance.
Fagus sylvatica
This majestic tree, which appears to protect the house, will have seen so many visitors pass by and such change at Holker. It is credit to the Cavendish family that through generations they have protected such trees for others to enjoy, as no matter how magnificent they are not afforded the same protection nationally as our listed buildings enjoy. Common Beech are allelopathic which means they secrete a chemical compound which inhibits other plants from growing under them and competing for nutrients.
Giant Redwood, The tallest tree at Holker.
Sequoiadendron giganteum
Our Giant Redwood soars above all other trees in the garden at a height of 32 meters. However it is dwarfed by the world famous General Sherman sequoia in the USA which stands at 84 meters tall with a trunk diameter of 8 meters. The Giant Redwood’s bark is particularly thick and insulating to protect it from forest fires in its native California.
The Holker Great Lime
Tillia x europaea
Our celebrity tree, believed to be 400 years old making the specimen a true veteran. Designated by the Tree Council as one of fifty great British trees commemorating the Queen’s Golden Jubilee.
Holker’s living fossil.
Ginkgo biloba
Ginkgo is wildly recognised as a ‘living fossil’ since its ancestors were common worldwide around 220 million years ago. Here at Holker the tree is grown for its autumn interest where its leaves light up with yellow tones. This specimen was thought to be one of the largest in the country but was badly damaged by a storm in 1990.
‘Goldrush’, our new national champion
Metasequoia glyptostroboides
In October of this year the tree was recognised as being the largest ‘Goldrush’ in the country, an accolade we can be very proud of at Holker. Believed to be extinct until 1943 when it was rediscovered in China, ‘Goldrush’ has striking autumn colour and bright lime spring growth which contrasts well with the other trees in this area of the Garden.
The Oak Lawn
Quercus
A grove of nine magnificent oak trees has been preserved for generations at Holker. Some of these trees could be as old at 250 years. 2,300 species are supported by Oaks and 326 species depend on oak trees for their survival including, plants, insects and mammals.
The Rhino Tree
Castanea sativa
This Sweet Chestnut tree commonly found in the British countryside has developed an interesting branch structure which resembles the shape of a Rhino Horn. The Cavendish family and gardeners alike have come to know it as the Rhino Tree. Can you see the face of the Rhino?
The three Monkey Puzzle children
Araucaria arancana
Thriving at the highest point in the garden with views across to Morecambe Bay, these specimens are the children of the original tree planted at Holker from seed bought back from Chile in 1844. When managing the tree collection at Holker we will look to propagate from key species to ensure the resilience of our collection. The Monkey Puzzle is so called because its spiral branches would puzzle any monkey trying to climb the tree!
Get involved
Looking for things to do near Cartmel? The “Trees of Distinction” Tree Trail at Holker Hall & Gardens is a self-guided experience available to all visitors to the Gardens from Saturday 23rd November to Sunday 24th November and Friday 29th November to Sunday 1st December. Ask for details at the Hall & Gardens Kiosk.
