Norwich - Mousehold Heath (Norfolk)

Thanks to Clare who sent the above photographs of a Giant Redwood tree on Mousehold Heath. Clare is the Publicity Officer of the Mousehold Heath Defenders, an action group formed in 1972 to assist and supplement the governing body of the Heath, The Mousehold Heath Conservators. Regarding their Redwood tree, Clare says "our Vice Chair remembers railings around it during the war. The Mousehold Heath Ranger contacted me to say he believes it was planted around 1901 or perhaps just before. Several specimen trees were planted to try to encourage people to stop and visit the Heath and a Swiss Chalet style Tea Pavillion was built at the same time. That would make it about 100 years old. Wow! Derek James a local reporter did a piece about it in the local paper together with a photo so perhaps we will get some more memories. I attach a picture of the tea room which has a date of 1901 on it. It's now leased to Zaks American restaurant but it's on Mousehold. The other one is an Autumn view of the Heath. It will give you a small idea of why we are passionate about it!"

Mousehold Heath, its tea room and its Redwood certainly look very worthy of conserving! It would be interesting to hear if anyone has any more history about the tree.

Common Names and Latin Name	Girth	Date Measured
Giant Redwood, Wellingtonia Sequoiadendron giganteum	3.75m	July 2008
Girth was measured at 1.5 metres from ground