Basildon - A127 / A176 (Essex)

Giant Redwood - January 2008

These two young Giant Redwood (Wellingtonia, Sequoiadendron giganteum) were planted on 25th January 2008 on a hill next to the London-bound A127 Billericay slip road as a landmark on one of the main entrances to Basildon. According to a Tom King in the Evening Echo last November; Basildon's policy is to plant 70 per cent native species to 30 per cent of exotics. Basildon's policy is summed up by councillor Anthony Hedley, cabinet member for leisure and open spaces. He said: "We have chosen some interesting and unusual trees from around the world that residents may not have seen before." The BBC article from January 2008 mention that these two trees were "specially grown in Italy". It's a shame they didn't pop down the road to my house and have a couple for free but, as nice as my house is, I guess it is not quite such a glamorous place from which to pick them up! Whatever their origin, it is great to see a council using imagination in their tree selection. Well done Basildon council.

Common Names and Latin Name	No.	Latitude and Longitude		OS National Grid	Elevation (above sea-level)	Height	Date Measured
		WGS84	OSGB36
Giant Redwood, Wellingtonia Sequoiadendron giganteum	1	N51.58403 E0.44063	N51.58352 E0.44230	TQ 69189 90063	34.15ft (112m)	1.88m	January 2008
	2	N51.58397 E0.44067	N51.58346 E0.44234	TQ 69192 90057	33.84ft (111m)	1.99m	January 2008