Kensington & Chelsea - Kensington Town Hall (London)

On a grey day in September it was difficult to get a good shot of the Wellingtonia at the centre of Kensington Town Hall in Hornton Street. This tree, and its neighbouring Horse Chestnut, precedes the modern buildings that surround them, the Giant Redwood having been planted by Baroness Churchill in 1967. A brass ring all around the base is inscribed with the words: A GIANT AMONGST TREES IN MEMORY OF A GIANT AMONGST MEN THE RIGHT HONORABLE SIR WINSTON LEONARD SPENCER CHURCHILL K.G. O.M. C.H F.R.S. Although it appears quite healthy I would say that the tree's growth rate is suffering a little from lack of light, water and possibly shortage of air to the roots. Nevertheless it is growing and once it clears the buildings it will benefit from the additional light. Perhaps the people who "decried the loss of the last piece of green space in the area" when the new Civic Centre was built in the 1970's can sympathise with its plight. Dale wrote to say "Sadly the tree at OS TQ 25371 79800 planted by Baroness Churchill is no longer there." Such a shame that it's now gone, particularly in view of the unusual style of plaque dedicating the tree to Winston Churchill. I wonder whether they will try replacing the tree.

Common Names and Latin Name	Latitude and Longitude		OS National Grid	Elevation (above sea-level)	Height	Girth	Date Measured
	WGS84	OSGB36
Giant Redwood, Wellingtonia Sequoiadendron giganteum	N51.50324 W0.19509	N51.50273 W0.19349	TQ 25371 79800	102ft (31.1m)	12m	0.94m	September 2008
Girth was measured at 1.5 metres from ground