World's tallest tree to be planted in Billericay

A tree famed for growing to heights of more than 300ft and a “living fossil” from the dinosaur age will be among 75 new trees planted in the district. Basildon Council is spending £5,000 on trees including some from as far away as China and others never seen in the district before. They include the North American giant redwood, which holds the record as the tallest tree in the world.  

Council tree experts plan to plant two on a hill near to the A127 slip road in Billericay to create a landmark entrance to the district. As well as planting the tallest tree species in the world the council’s arboriculture section is also planning to plant the oldest. Six ginkgo trees, which are known as “living fossils” and date back more than 250million years to the time of dinosaurs are set to be planted in Basildon and from the oldest to the rarest, the council is also planning to plant a pride of India in Billericay. The Asian tree will become the only one of its kind in the district.

Other exotic species set to be planted include four liquid ambers and one tulip tree from the US, four dawn redwoods from China and four Antarctic beeches from Argentina. The remaining trees will be native to the UK and include field maple, alder, hornbeam, beech, Scott's pine and lime.

Councillor Anthony Hedley, Cabinet member for Leisure and Open Spaces, said: “We have chosen some unusual trees from around the world that residents may not have seen before. With their bold colours and unusual shapes, we hope they will become interesting and attractive features in the landscape. We are also planting trees commonly found in the district because they offer food and shelter for local wildlife. I hope the new trees grab the attention and interest of residents and help to make the district a greener place to live.”

Isn’t this a great opportunity to replace the ageing lime trees in the vicinity of the Second World War memorial with a genus more suitable to the surroundings?