Braintree - Marshalls Park (Essex)

Swamp Cypress (Taxodium distichum) - August 2005

Marshalls Park holds this example of Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides). Curiously though, although it has a typical, well-formed profile from one direction, viewed from the side it appears to be rather lacking in branches. Perhaps there were once other trees nearby. * * * Update - November 2011 * * * On a return visit to re-measure this tree, a closer inspection revealed that it is in fact a Swamp Cypress (Taxodium distichum). My excuse (if I need one) for the mistaken identity is that this was one of the first "Dawn Redwoods" to be found by Redwood World before we had become a little more astute at spotting the differences. Those differences do need a close-up look and the things to look for are that Swamp Cypress have leaves that are not alternately opposed, a trunk much less fluted and knarled, and a more overall feathery type appearance that probably accounted for the comment about the lack of branches in 2005.

Common Names and Latin Name	Latitude and Longitude		OS National Grid	Elevation (above sea-level)	Height	Girth	Date Measured
	WGS84	OSGB36
Swamp Cypress Taxodium distichum	N51.87151 E0.54383	N51.87102 W0.54550	TL 75221 22272	51ft (15.55m)	18m 16.5m	-- 1.49m	November 2011 August 2005
Girth was measured at 1.5m from ground.