Brookmans Park - Gobions Wood (Hertfordshire)

A Coast Redwood planted by the stream, the trunk of another lies beside it, new saplings are growing from its old stump
Coast Redwoods planted by the stream	Giant Redwood

The woods contain a relatively rare abundance of Coast Redwoods and just two Giant Redwoods, the latter are located either side of a path, perhaps at the start of a grand entrance to the estate in days gone by. The twelve Coast Redwoods are situated either side of the stream. Many fallen trunks littering the woodland floor give the impression that fairly strong winds must whistle through this 42 acre wood. Fallen trees have been left on the ground over many decades, giving Gobions wood a slightly eerie feel of a place that time forgot. It is interesting to note that, aside from where they were undercut by the stream, the Redwoods seem to survive the ferocious winds far better than the other types of tree. Although the Coast Redwoods must enjoy the constant source of nearby water, there are a couple that have fallen where the water line has shifted towards the tree and has eroded the soil beneath them. One looks precariously close to toppling into the stream (September 2009). It is likely that when they were planted they had plenty of room, so it is worth bearing in mind that a stream will meander over the decades or centuries. It is a shame that the large trees are lost but Coast Redwoods do not give up even after losing their trunk, as can be seen in the first photograph. Beside the bridge, a fallen trunk lies, yet sprouting from the remains of the stump there are several new shoots.

A vehicle-sized bridge over the meandering stream

One of many trees that have snapped (not a Redwood)

Part of Gobions Wood is ancient woodland, and it also encloses the remains of the 18th century Pleasure Gardens of Gubbins house. The gardens were designed by Charles Bridgeman who was Royal Gardener to George II. The land is now owned by the Gobions Woodland Trust, which was formed in 1985 to save the woodland and adjoining pasture from the danger of development. Its founder was Michael Jonas and there is an inscription on one of the wooden bridges: "The five bridges in this style were designed by Michael Jonas MBE (1936 - 2007) - the founder of the Gobions Woodland Trust - and erected during the 1990s by the work parties of volunteers which he organised." The woods can be accessed by a track leading off south from Moffats Lane that takes you to a car park. From here you can cross the field and head into the trees in a south easterly direction to find the Redwoods.

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	N51.71627 W0.18587	N51.71578 W0.18429	TL 25421 03506	316ft (96.34m)	--	3.1m	Sep 2009
	2	N51.71633 W0.18583	N51.71584 W0.18424	TL 25423 03512	316ft (96.34m)	--	3.34m	Sep 2009
	3	N51.71637 W0.18573	N51.71588 W0.18414	TL 25430 03517	312ft (95.12m)	--	--	--
	4	N51.71637 W0.18596	N51.71588 W0.18438	TL 25414 03517	306ft (93.29m)	--	2.7m	Sep 2009
	5	N51.71655 W0.18566	N51.71606 W0.18407	TL 25434 03537	306ft (93.29m)	--	2.94m	Sep 2009
	6	N51.71674 W0.18507	N51.71625 W0.18348	TL 25475 03559	330ft (100.61m)	--	2.58m	Sep 2009
	7	N51.71692 W0.18505	N51.71643 W0.18346	TL 25476 03579	284ft (86.59m)	--	2.65m	Sep 2009
	8	N51.71676 W0.18506	N51.71627 W0.18347	TL 25475 03562	288ft (87.80m)	--	3.02m	Sep 2009
Giant Redwood Sequoiadendron giganteum	9	N51.71710 W0.18473	N51.71661 W0.18314	TL 25497 03600	329ft (100.30m)	--	6.07m	Sep 2009
	10	N51.71714 W0.18476	N51.71665 W0.18317	TL 25495 03604	334ft (101.83m)	--	5.3m	Sep 2009
Coast Redwood Sequoia sempervirens	11	N51.71682 W0.18457	N51.71633 W0.18298	TL 25509 03569	291ft (88.72m)	--	--	--
	12	N51.71695 W0.18446	N51.71646 W0.18287	TL 25516 03584	291ft (88.72m)	--	2.97m	Sep 2009
	13	N51.71705 W0.18420	N51.71656 W0.18261	TL 25534 03595	274ft (83.54m)	--	3.13m	Sep 2009
	14	N51.71652 W0.18494	N51.71603 W0.18335	TL 25484 03535	321ft (97.87m)	--	4.6m	Sep 2009
Girth was measured at 1.5m from ground.