TREES IN LAKE MEADOWS 

Kashmir or Himalayan Birch (Betula jaquemontii) – Map Ref 7 

Originating in the west Himalayas it was introduces in 1880. It is similar to the Silver Birch but has bright, creamy-white, paper-thin bark, sometimes peeling. It is deciduous and has an elegant upright shape and can grow to 18m. It has yellow-brown catkins in spring and its green leaves turn golden-yellow in the autumn. As well as the examples by the side of the Lake Avenue entrance there is a good specimen to the east of the statue. 

Blue Atlas Cedar (Cedrus atlantica “Glauca”) – Map Ref 8 

Native of the Atlas Mountains area of Morocco and Algeria it was introduced into the UK, in 1841, mainly for its decorative blue foliage. It can grow up to 35m in height. It is easy to differentiate from other cedars as the branches curve upwards. It is unusual in that it produces its flowers in the autumn with pinkish male flowers and green female ones. It may be interesting to note that needles grow singly on the new growth but in rosettes on the previous year’s growth.