Photo: DDC
Do you love parks and trees? Then you won’t want to miss the new tree trail at Kearsney Abbey in Dover, launching during Love Parks Week (28 July – 6 August).
This is a special week to celebrate the beauty and benefits of our parks and green spaces, and the people who care for them.
The tree trail is a fun and educational way to explore nine amazing trees in the park, each with its own story and significance. You’ll see trees from around the world, as well as some native ones that are part of our landscape and culture.
Kearsney Abbey was once a grand country estate, where the owners collected exotic trees from their travels. One of these is the Cedar of Lebanon, one of the oldest and largest in the country. This majestic tree has been a symbol of power and longevity since ancient times, and is mentioned in many religious texts.
Another impressive tree from abroad is the Italian Alder, the tallest in Kent. This fast-growing tree can tolerate wet and polluted conditions, and has been used for making furniture and charcoal.
Some of the trees at Kearsney Abbey came from North America, where they were valued by the native tribes for their uses and meanings. The Indian Bean tree, for example, is not from India but from the southern states of the USA. Its name comes from the Cherokee tribe, who used its wood for bows and its flowers for medicine. It has large leaves, white flowers, and long seed pods that look like beans.
The Western Red Cedar is another American tree that has a special connection to the First Nations. They used its wood to make canoes, houses, and totem poles, and its bark for clothing and baskets.
Of course, no English park would be complete without some native trees that have been part of our history and culture for centuries. One of these is the Lucombe oak, a rare hybrid between a turkey oak and a cork oak. It was named after William Lucombe, a nurseryman who discovered it in his garden in Devon. It has large acorns that are edible for humans and animals.
Another native tree that stands out in Kearsney Abbey is the Copper Beech, with its striking purple leaves. This tree is often called the queen of British trees, as it is graceful and elegant.
Cllr Charlotte Zosseder, Cabinet Member with responsibility for parks at Dover District Council, said: “We are delighted to launch this tree trail at Kearsney Abbey, which showcases some of our most remarkable trees. We invite everyone to join us in celebrating Love Parks Week by discovering these natural wonders and enjoying the beauty of our parks.”
You can pick up a copy of the self-guided Kearsney Abbey tree trail from the Kearsney Café where the trail starts, or download it online at www.kearsneyparks.co.uk where you can also find more activities to do in the parks this summer.