Abbotsbury - Subtropical Gardens (Dorset)

Thanks to Walter for sending the above photographs of a Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) in Abbotsbury. Walter says, "on Easter Sunday I was in Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens (situated near Weymouth). Certainly worth a visit. Among a lot of interesting other trees (a very large Caucasian wingnut) there is this Sequoia sempervirens: Breast Height Diameter: 1,38m Height: 30m"

Coast Redwood

Giant Redwood

Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens is situated on the Dorset coast and has a wide variety of trees and shrubs. It has a well laid out trail that takes you on a winding route through the woodland and grounds. You should have no problem finding the Coast Redwood, look out for the cluster of shoots bursting out from the base of the trunk, typical of the Coast Redwood. Very close by is a young Giant Redwood tree, easily missed if you are looking for large specimens. Its foliage is a bit sparse which is to be expected considering its crowded location. No doubt eventually it will out grow the surrounding trees.

Dawn Redwood

There are also two Dawn Redwoods to be found earlier along the trail. A visit to the place must include a walk up the very steep incline to the fine hill top views of the coast line, including a magnificent view down along Chesil Beach to the east and Hive Beach with its sandstone cliffs to the west.

The view to Chesil Beach in the east

The view to Hive Beach in the west

Hive Beach and the sandstone cliffs (we nicknamed these "The Cliffs of Insanity"!)

Once you have completed your visit to the Subtropical Gardens, a short journey along the coast to Hive Beach is an absolute must particularly on a fine day. The cliffs really do look stunning in the sunlight, and you may find a fossil or two in the rocks below the cliffs. Beware of rock falls after heavy rain though!

Common Names and Latin Name	No.	Latitude and Longitude		OS National Grid	Elevation (above sea-level)	Height	Girth	Date Measured
		WGS84	OSGB36
Coast Redwood Sequoia sempervirens	1	N50.66326 W2.61578	N50.66270 W2.61449	SY 56574 85025	124ft (37.8m)	29.8m	4.46m	Sep 2011
Dawn Redwood Metasequoia glyptostrobodies	2	N50.66331 W2.61928	N50.66275 W2.61799	SY 56327 85033	129ft (39.33m)	12.95m	1.14m	Sep 2011
	3	N50.66280 W2.61542	N50.66224 W2.61413	SY 56599 84974	117ft (35.67m)	24.3m	1.25m	Sep 2011
Giant Redwood Sequoiadendron giganteum	4	N50.66310 W2.61575	N50.66254 W2.61446	SY 56576 85008	97ft (29.57m)	14.6m	1.09m	Sep 2011
Girth was measured at 1.5 metres from ground