A List of Noteworthy Trees to be found in the Doncaster Borough including some of the largest, oldest and rarest specimens Tree Survey Completed October 2000 “Of all the trees that grow so fair, Old England to adorn greater are none beneath the sun than oak, and ash, and thorn.” From “ A Tree Song” by Rudyard Kipling 1863-1936 Directorate of Development and Transport Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council 2 nd Floor, Danum House, St. Sepulchre Gate Doncaster Planning Services DN1 1UB Executive Director: Adam Skinner, B.Arch., R.I.B.A., A.R.I.A.S. April 2001 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The Council would like to thank the respective owners of trees for their co-operation whilst details were being collected for this document. The council also acknowledge Mrs Spencer for providing historic reference material relating to the Skelbrooke area. The following members of staff contributed to this document: Edwin Pretty (Author) - Planner (Trees) Jonathan Tesh - Planning Assistant (Trees) Colin Howes - Keeper of Environmental Records Julia White - Word Processor Operator Patricia Wood - Word Processor Operator Shirley Gordon - Technician Andrea Suddes - Technician Paul Ramshaw - Technician CONTENTS PAGE General Introduction 1 Geology and Soil Types 1 Hydrology of the Borough 1 What Constitutes a Notable or 2 Venerable Tree Estimated Age of Trees 2 Methodology 2 The List of Notable and Venerable Trees 3 Some Notable Trees of the Past 90 Conclusion 91 Bibliography 92 References 93 APPENDICES Appendix One - Doncaster Landscape Character Areas Appendix Two - Rainfall Figures Appendix Three - Tabulated Statistics of the Trees Listed Appendix Four - Map of Parish Boundaries Appendix Five - Map Showing Site of ‘The Bishops Tree’ GENERAL INTRODUCTION The duties of the author, principally that of administering Tree Preservation Orders and the Hedgerows Regulations, has enabled him to “find” trees which are considered to be noteworthy. The importance of the trees listed should not be under-estimated as they have various special qualities e.g. their longevity, stature, seed bank source, amenity value and wild life habitat provision. Without doubt several other notable and venerable trees exist in the Doncaster Borough which are not included here. However, it is hoped that the trees listed will give an insight into the many quality trees which are to be found locally. Doncaster Metropolitan Borough covers an area of 58,153 hectares or 224 square miles, making it the largest Metropolitan Borough in the country (Doncaster Planners 1993). GEOLOGY AND SOIL TYPES The soil types throughout the Borough vary enormously, ranging from heavy loams and clays over the coal fields to the west, through to clays over limestone, carr land through the sand land and the peat lands to the east of the Borough (see Appendix 1). Consequently, because of the variation of soils and the geographical location, the borough has a rich and diverse tree population. The tree species which are to be found range from beech (Fagus) to bananas (Musa), sweet chestnut (Castanea) to swamp cypress (Taxodium) and pine (Pinus) to palms (Trachycarpus). In addition, there are hundreds of woodlands, plantations, copses and shelter belts, which include semi-natural ancient woodland, through to deciduous, coniferous and mixed plantations. South Yorkshire has approximately 7.2% woodland cover (1995 Forestry Commission survey estimate). Sadly, the vast majority of woodlands in the Doncaster region and beyond are in a state of neglect. Although a vast array of trees are to be found, newly planted trees can be notoriously difficult to get established. One of the reasons for failure during this critical establishment period is due to the moderate annual mean rainfall for this region. HYDROLOGY OF THE BOROUGH The annual rainfall figures taken at Finningley, near Doncaster between 1944 and 1992 show a minimum of 375mm in 1959 and a maximum of 800mm in 1969 (see Appendix 2). In 1992 the weather station at Finningley was closed down and all figures are now obtained from the Leeds Meteorological Office, the rainfall reading being taken at Sheffield. In 1997 the annual rainfall figures given were 720.4mm. Therefore when considering planting trees it is advisable to choose specimens which are no larger than “Selected” Standard size (10—12cm girth at 1.5m from ground level) as they require a shorter period of aftercare in respect of watering. Although the Council routinely plant much larger trees e.g. extra heavy standard and container grown semi-mature trees, they require a watering programme as part of their aftercare, for several years. 1 WHAT CONSTITUTES A NOTABLE OR VENERABLE TREE In the context of this short document a variable base line has been used which is dependant on the species of the tree. For instance, a willow tree of approximately 150-200 years old would represent an ancient tree for its species. However, a yew of the same age would still be classed as quite young. Therefore, trees which are considered to be of great age for their species, trees which are rare, and choice trees of high visual amenity have been included. In addition, some notable trees which once existed within the Doncaster area have been included to give further interest. ESTIMATED AGE OF TREES It is generally accepted that an estimate as to the age of most mature broad-leaved and coniferous trees can be calculated by measuring the circumference of the tree trunk and allowing 2.5cm (1 inch) per year of growth (Mitchell & Wilkinson 88, p.16). However, there are many pitfalls to this method e.g. tree growth may be affected by the nature of the soil e.g. sands, clays, loams, their alkalinity, acidity and nutrient content and availability. Yew trees, for example, are notoriously difficult to put an accurate age to. Some yews may appear to be growing from one trunk when in fact they are multi- stemmed. ‘Externally there may be no obvious indication of the nature of the compound trunk` (Baxter 92,p.28). In addition, mature yews can grow so slowly that the annual growth increment cannot always be detected by the naked eye when examining core samples or cross sections of fallen trees. METHODOLOGY Each tree on the list has been visited, inspected, and, in most cases photographed. The survey was undertaken from October 1999 to October 2000. The inspections included taking accurate measurements of trunk girths at 1.5 metres from ground level unless otherwise stated. The branch spread measurement given is approximate, being `paced out` across one direction, although it should be remembered that most trees do not have a round canopy. The height of most trees was achieved using a clinometer. However, in some instances the height has been estimated, and this is shown as `approximate height` in each case. A brief description of each tree is included, and, in most cases a photograph provides a visual record. Whilst the statistics of each tree are given in the text, a separate record is given in tabulated form for ease of reference and perusal in Appendix 3. In addition, a plan of the parishes referred to in the text can be seen in Appendix 4, so let us now go on a non-stop tour round the borough on a “Tree for All”. 2 THE LIST OF NOTABLE AND VENERABLE TREES HYBRID BLACK POPLAR (Populus nigra sp) Mexborough Parish This huge tree towers above all the other trees surrounding it on the open derelict land (formerly Carr Land) between Mexborough and Old Denaby. It has a trunk girth of 4.37 metres (14ft 4in) a branch spread of 18 metres and a height of 26 metres. It is probably the tallest broad leaved trees in the Borough. (The tallest conifer is a Sequoiadendron gigantium at Rossington Hall). The timber from poplar tree was once used in large quantities for making matches. It is also used to make veneers and fruit boxes. 3 COMMON BEECH (Fagus sylvatica) High Melton Parish Ornamental trees abound at High Melton College, the grounds of which once formed the parks and gardens of the former High Melton Hall. Unusual trees such as the “Cut-Leaved Walnut” (Juglans regia ‘Laciniata’) and the infrequently found “Wingnut” (Pterocarya fraxinifolia) are to be found. However, the giants on the site are the beech trees. The largest on the site (and one of the largest in the borough) is this gigantic beech which towers to a lofty 24 metres. It has a trunk girth of 5.125 metres (17ft 1in) and a branch spread of 22 metres. Close by is another example with a trunk girth of 4.58 metres (15ft ½in) and across the playing field at the lower end of the avenue is a stout beech with a trunk girth of 4.97 metres (16ft 3¾in). All three beech trees referred to will be in the region of 200 years old. 4 YEW (Taxus baccata) High Melton Parish Large old yew trees are normally found in churchyards and other ecclesiastical sites. However, this large specimen in High Melton village is located in a private garden. It is probably one of the most important yew trees in the Doncaster Borough, given its size and location. It has a trunk girth of 3.91 metres (12ft 10in), a branch spread of 9 metres and a height of 14 metres. The trunk is not hollow, however, there are signs of some decay at ground level, and approximately 3 metres from the ground a fruiting body of Laetiporus sulphureus (‘Chicken of the Woods’) can be seen. Despite this, given the species of tree, it is likely to continue thriving for a long time to come. “Most Yew trees are hollow at 400 years and almost all at 700 years” (Baxter 92 p.260).