Oulton Broad - Nicholas Everitt Park (Suffolk)

Giant Redwood	Swamp Cypress	Dawn Redwood

This was a surprise discovery of two Redwood trees and a Swamp Cypress (which I had mistaken for a Coast Redwood from a distance, both having a similar overall shape) near the bandstand in Nicholas Everitt Park in 2017.

I'd had no chance to stop and measure the trees in 2017 but on a return trip one year later it was obvious that the tree I had mistaken for a Coast Redwood was in fact a Swamp Cypress. Its Autumn colour was the first clue (Coast Redwood stay green) and on closer inspection its leaves were definitely not of a Coast Redwood.

Swamp Cypress

Dawn Redwood

Swamp Cypress

Dawn Redwood

Fortunately it was also a chance to show the comparison between the Dawn Redwood and the Swamp Cypress by their leaf structure and bark. Note the alternate pattern of leaflets on the Swamp Cypress, whereas the Dawn Redwood has leaflets that extend in pairs from the same spot. The trunk on the Swamp Cypress is fairly plain but the Dawn Redwood is often reddish with flaking bark, and when older it usually displays a typically fluted shape, an example of which can be found at Woking Park in Surrey More information about differences between Redwoods and other trees can be seen on the Redwood Types page.

Giant Redwood - 2017

Giant Redwood - 2018

In addition to the two young Redwoods, a further exploration of the park yielded a larger Giant Redwood specimen. A fabulous example of a Wellingtonia that has been cut (either after suffering a lightning strike or similar) and has regrown upward sprouting leaders from the remaining branches.

Here is a little more information about this park. Local philanthropist and businessman Howard Hollingsworth purchased Broad House along with its grounds after the death of his friend, the owner Nicholas Everitt, in 1928. Hollingsworth presented the park, named in memory of his friend, to the people of Lowestoft and Oulton Broad and Broad House is now home to the Lowestoft Museum. A small but interesting park and a pleasant stroll can be had alongside the River Waveney.

Common Names and Latin Name	No.	Latitude and Longitude		OS National Grid	Elevation (above sea-level)	Height	Girth	Date Measured
		WGS84	OSGB36
Giant Redwood Sequoiadendron giganteum	1	N52.47419 E1.70777	N52.47373 W1.70960	TM 51900 92713	-19ft (-05.79m)	3.2m	--	November 2018
Dawn Redwood Metasequoia glyptostrobodies	2	N52.47429 E1.70789	N52.47383 W1.70972	TM 51907 92724	-19ft (-05.79m)	5.1m	--	November 2018
Giant Redwood Sequoiadendron giganteum	3	N52.47311 E1.70629	N52.47265 W1.70812	TM 51806 92587	-23ft (-07.01m)	15.1m	2.9m	November 2018