Tunbridge Wells - Springhead (Kent)

Thank you to Matthew Copus for telling us about these two Giant Redwoods that stand in Springhead/Cedar Ridge and for providing the above photograph. On visiting these trees we notice that, just as Matthew has told us, one is in excellent shape, but the other is a little sparse and looks as though it may be struggling. Matthew tells us: "The Tunbridge Wells Borough Council Tree Officer told me that although the healthy tree is protected by a "TPO", the other one, due to its poor state, no longer has any such protection. Apparently its problems have most likely been caused by the large amount of trenching carried out in the area in the past few years. Somewhat ominously, my enquiry as to whether anything could be done for this tree elicited the response that it was only possible to "make it safe" by removing dead branches. The Tree Officer thought that the Highways Department, based in Aylesford, near Maidstone, is responsible for these trees, which would seem logical, given their position either side of a road and not obviously on private property. All in all, despite evident affection for these trees among local people, the outlook for the now less vigorous one does not look rosy. It does seem a great shame that due to its position it has been subjected to this ill-treatment and appears to stand little chance of receiving any genuine remedial treatment, for instance of the kind used at Kew Gardens to rejuvenate trees which are suffering from the compacting of the ground around them (extreme in this case, given that much of it is covered by a tarmac road)."

Matthew has planted his own Giant Redwoods in Wales as you can see on our Tall Tales page.

Common Names and Latin Name	No.	Latitude and Longitude		OS National Grid	Elevation (above sea-level)	Height	Girth	Date Measured
		WGS84	OSGB36
Giant Redwood, Wellingtonia Sequoiadendron giganteum	1	N51.14128 E0.28312	N51.14072 E0.28476	TQ 59811 40479	419ft (128m)	--	5.5m	August 2006
	2	N51.14119 E0.28308	N51.14063 E0.28472	TQ 59808 40469	406ft (124m)	--	5.07m	August 2006
Girth was measured at 1.5m from ground.