Update from Our Treescapes

Feltham Forest

Trees in Feltham are flourishing as we approach the end of their first growing season. As some cherries, rowans and goat willows have grown to over 1.5m in height, ground cover is being established and signs of a healthy forest habitat are emerging. Various species of fungi have been spotted and insects are found everywhere you look.  

Join us Saturday, October 4th (10:00–14:00) for a day of natural discovery in Feltham, Hounslow. We will be meeting at Hatton Cross Energy Garden for 10am, then making our way to Feltham Forest.

Brondesbury Park Orchard

Coming up on a year since the orchard was planted, the space has seen incredible transformation. From brambles towering 2.5m over the platform to a diverse mixed species habitat where fruit and nut trees are accompanied by wildflowers, grasses, poppies, and thistles; the treescape on Platform 1 is settling into itself. Throughout its first growing season, the orchard has enriched the station with explosions of colour and now fruit! August saw the orchard’s first harvest – juicy Victoria plums and apples from Elstar, Blenheim Orange, and crabapple trees.   

Come have a look!

Before planting day

After planting day

Apple Blenheim Orange 

Canonbury

As we near the end of the growing season in the Canonbury Grove, each of the landscape elements are beginning to complement each other beautifully. Other than the healthy establishment of trees and consecutive flowering of underplanting over the summer months, the most impressive development in the grove has been the Eucalyptus mitchelliana (Mount Buffalo Sally), which has basically doubled in size since planting in March. With a semi-weeping habit, we have been racing to catch up with it and keep it upright.   

Eucalyptus mitchelliana – mount sally buffalo 

Look out for the golden rain tree over the autumn months as its leaves turn from green to a rich yellow.  

Longford River

Our grove found along the river at the entrance to Feltham Arenas Parklands is settling into its riparian habitat as it nears the end of its first growing season. As our hardy alder, Himalayan birch, whitebeam and field maple trees establish and expand, berries are collected and eaten by woodpigeons, thrushes and crows.  

  Whitebeam berries 

– Silas