Introduction to Ely's Historic Plane Tree

Roger 0:02

Talking Trees with Lily and Jad . Welcome to Talking Trees , your window into the living history of our natural world . In today's episode we explore a remarkable story from ARB magazine about a historically significant maple-leaved plane tree in Ely , the largest of its kind in the United Kingdom . Largest of its kind in the United Kingdom . Allegedly a gift from King Charles II in the 17th century , this majestic tree stands as a living testament to our shared heritage . We'll delve into the detailed morphological and physiological studies that have revealed the tree's secrets , the innovative monitoring methods being used and the collaborative efforts with leading arboricultural experts . Join us as we uncover the rich tapestry of science , history and community dedication that surrounds this natural monument . Welcome to today's journey on .

Jad 0:58

Talking Trees . Hey everyone , and welcome to this deep dive . Today we're going to be talking about something pretty massive .

Lilly 1:06

Yeah , it's big .

Jad 1:07

Yeah , really big . We're talking about the biggest London plane in the UK .

Lilly 1:11

That's right , biggest London plane , and we're going to be looking at an article in ARB magazine .

Jad 1:18

From the Arbor Cultural Association .

Lilly 1:19

Yes , from the Arbor Cultural Association .

Jad 1:21

It's a really good in-depth article and this isn't just history . No , this is like cutting edge stuff that they're doing with this tree to conserve it .

Lilly 1:30

Absolutely . It's a great case study showing how all the latest techniques are being applied to keep this amazing tree going .

Jad 1:37

Awesome . Well , let's dive in

The Tree's Rich History and Legacy

Jad 1:38

. So , first off , where can we find this London plane ?

Lilly 1:41

Well , it's located in EC in the UK , in the gardens of the old Bishop's Palace , which dates back to the 1600s .

Jad 1:48

Wow , so this tree has been around for over 350 years .

Lilly 1:51

That's right .

Jad 1:57

Potentially one of the very first London Plains ever planted in the UK , and it's in the old Bishop's Palace , which correct me if I'm wrong , but wasn't that the place where they kept some of the relatives of those involved in the gunpowder plot ?

Lilly 2:04

You're absolutely right , and the palace is now part of King's Ely School .

Jad 2:08

Oh , wow . So it's still a place of learning . That's incredible . I mean , imagine all the history this tree has witnessed .

Lilly 2:14

It's mind-blowing , isn't it ? And get this In 2013, . Cuttings were taken from the tree .

Jad 2:19

Really .

Lilly 2:19

And now you can find its offspring growing in places like Kew Gardens , the Sandringham Estate .

Jad 2:25

Wait , they have a descendant of this tree at Sandringham .

Lilly 2:27

They do Pretty amazing , huh .

Jad 2:29

That's really cool . I have no idea they were propagating it .

Lilly 2:31

Yeah , and it really highlights how important it is to preserve the genetics of these remarkable trees , especially ones with such historical and biological significance .

Jad 2:42

Definitely ensuring its legacy lives on . Speaking of history , I read that back in 1937 , there was a pretty dramatic incident with this tree .

Lilly 2:50

Oh yes , A huge limb fell from the tree . A newspaper article at the time described the sound as being like a cannon shot .

Jad 2:56

Wow , that must have been terrifying .

Lilly 2:58

Luckily , no one was injured , but the incident did lead to the installation of cable bracing , which is still in place today , helping to support the tree .

Jad 3:05

Yeah , I can imagine with a tree that size , cable bracing would be essential . So despite that major limb loss , the article says that the tree is actually in pretty good health .

Lilly 3:14

It is showing strong signs of vigor , which is great news , but given its age and size and the fact

Morphophysiology: Looking Under the Hood

Lilly 3:20

that the bracing system is getting old , a more thorough assessment was needed .

Jad 3:24

OK , so they decided to take a closer look . Did they just do a visual inspection or did they go beyond that ?

Lilly 3:29

They went way beyond a simple visual check . They used a really innovative approach called morphophysiology .

Jad 3:36

Morphophysiology . I'm not familiar with that term .

Lilly 3:38

It's a really fascinating approach . Instead of just looking at the external symptoms , morphophysiology helps us understand the internal processes of the tree .

Jad 3:47

So it's like looking under the hood , getting a glimpse into the tree's overall vitality and how it's coping with stress .

Lilly 3:53

Exactly . It's about understanding the why behind the what .

Jad 3:56

That's really interesting . So how did they apply this to our giant London plane ?

Lilly 4:00

They brought in a specialist team from Italy .

Jad 4:03

From Italy .

Lilly 4:03

Yeah , they're called A-R-E-S-S-A-S D , gasparini , stefania and C , and they conducted a whole tree survey analyzing everything from the leaves and branches to the trunk and root system .

Jad 4:15

And what did they find ? Any surprises ?

Lilly 4:17

Well , the survey confirmed that the tree is in remarkably good health for its age . But they did discover some internal decay near the base , likely related to that limb failure back in 37 .

Jad 4:27

That makes sense . So they had both visible and hidden issues to address . What did they decide to do ?

Lilly 4:33

Well , that's where the conservation plan comes in .

Jad 4:35

All right , let's hear about it . What are they doing to ensure this incredible tree continues to thrive for years to

Conservation Plan and Dynamic Cabling

Jad 4:41

come ?

Lilly 4:41

So the conservation plan . It really is a fascinating blend of traditional techniques and cutting edge technology .

Jad 4:48

OK , I'm all ears . What exactly are they doing ?

Lilly 4:51

Well , one of the key aspects is replacing the old cable bracing system with a dynamic cabling system . Dynamic cabling it allows for controlled movement . The tree still gets support , but it can also move and flex in response to external forces .

Jad 5:06

So it's kind of like giving the tree a workout , helping it build strength and flexibility .

Lilly 5:10

That's a great way to put it , and this is crucial for a tree like this , especially with its age and size .

Jad 5:14

So what specific type of dynamic cabling system are they using ?

Lilly 5:18

They've opted for the Cobra system .

Jad 5:20

Cobra system .

Lilly 5:21

Yeah , it's known for its . It's very adaptable . You can adjust the tension very precisely and it can be easily modified as the tree grows and changes . And in addition to the dynamic cabling , they're also implementing a multi-year pruning strategy .

Jad 5:35

I bet pruning a tree that size is quite the undertaking .

Lilly 5:38

Absolutely yeah , you have to be so careful Consider the tree's overall form , the growth patterns , any potential weaknesses and of course , you don't want to mess with its natural beauty .

Jad 5:49

It's almost like sculpting a living masterpiece . Speaking of art , I read that they held an art weekend at the old Bishop's Palace , with artists drawing inspiration from the tree .

Lilly 6:00

Yes , they had over 75 artists participating , creating all sorts of artwork .

Jad 6:05

That's amazing . What a great way to connect people with this incredible tree .

Lilly 6:09

Absolutely . They've

Community Engagement and Art Projects

Lilly 6:10

also had events like Heritage Open Day , where people could come and learn about the tree and the conservation efforts .

Jad 6:15

So they're making it accessible to the public while still protecting it .

Lilly 6:18

Exactly , it's a delicate balance .

Jad 6:20

This whole project really shows how tree conservation can be about so much more than just the technical stuff .

Lilly 6:26

Couldn't agree more . It's about community education and celebrating these amazing trees .

Jad 6:30

It's been so insightful learning about all this , but I'm curious were there any challenges they faced along the way ? So were there any challenges , any roadblocks they had to overcome during this project ?

Lilly 6:40

Oh , there are always challenges with something this big . I think funding is probably the biggest one .

Jad 6:44

Yeah , all this cutting-edge tech . Yeah , the experts , the ongoing maintenance . It must get expensive .

Lilly 6:51

It does , but they've managed to get support from various sources . The Woodland Trust helped fund the initial morphophysiological survey and King's Eblise covering the ongoing maintenance costs . It's great to see everyone coming together to support this magnificent tree .

Jad 7:06

It really is . What about the coordination aspect ? It sounds like a lot of different groups were involved .

Lilly 7:11

Absolutely . You've got the arboricultural consultants , scientists from the University of Cambridge , the Tree Council , the Woodland Trust , the school itself .

Jad 7:18

Wow , that's a lot of people to get on the same page .

Lilly 7:21

It was definitely a challenge keeping everyone

Challenges and Collaborative Solutions

Lilly 7:24

informed , making sure everyone's voice was heard but they managed to do it . They had a shared vision and a commitment to preserving this tree for future generations , and that really made a difference .

Jad 7:34

That's inspiring . It sounds like the team in Eli has set a great example for how to approach these kind of large-scale conservation projects .

Lilly 7:42

They really have . It shows what's possible when we work together and combine our knowledge and resources .

Jad 7:47

So for our listeners out there , a lot of whom are arborists themselves , what are the key takeaways from this Eli case study ? What can they learn from it ?

Lilly 7:56

Well , I think one of the biggest lessons is the importance of looking beyond the surface .

Jad 8:01

Not just treating the symptoms , but really understanding what's going on inside the tree .

Lilly 8:04

Exactly Just like they used morphophysiology to get a complete picture of the tree's health , we should all strive to take a more holistic approach in our work .

Jad 8:12

Considering the whole tree , its environment , its long-term needs .

Lilly 8:16

Exactly . And the other big takeaway is the power of collaboration . Don't be afraid to reach out to colleagues , researchers , organizations like the Tree Council or the Arboricultural Association . We can achieve so much more when we work together , Sharing knowledge , learning from each other . Trees the dedication and care that they showed in Ely . It's truly inspiring . It reminds us of the impact we can have when we combine our expertise with genuine love for what we do .

Jad 8:49

The story of Ely's London Plain is a testament to human ingenuity and dedication to preserving our natural heritage . It's given me a lot to think about .

Lilly 8:57

Me too . And as we wrap up , I want to leave our listeners with this grip . Take a look at the trees in your own community . What stories do they tell ? What can you do to ensure they continue to thrive for years

Key Takeaways and Final Thoughts

Lilly 9:07

to come ?

Jad 9:07

Every tree has the potential to become a symbol of resilience and the interconnectedness of life . Thanks for joining us on this deep dive . Until next time , keep branching out your knowledge and reaching for the canopy reaching for the canopy .

Roger 9:25

Thank you for joining us on today's journey through the rich legacy of Ely's historic maple-leaved plane tree . We've explored the innovative research and community efforts that are breathing new life into centuries-old heritage . May this story remind us of the enduring bond between nature , history and our collective care . Until next time , keep cherishing the living monuments around you .