A guide for visitors to the University of Reading Whiteknights Campus wishing to enjoy the Whiteknights Tree Walk.

Many unusual, old and Whiteknights has been in existence since the beautiful trees can be found Norman Conquest when it was known as the Manor of Earley. In 1798 the estate was acquired by throughout the Whiteknights the Marquess of Blandford who spent vast sums campus. This walk will on library acquisitions and elaborate gardens. discover 25 of the best. However by 1817 the Marquess, then the fifth Duke of Marlborough, was in debt. As a result in In its present form the 1819 the estate was dispersed and the original campus covers 123 hectares, house demolished in 1840. In 1867 the estate was including Whiteknights lake, divided into six leaseholds and a smaller house meadows and woodlands. constructed in each. Its history explains much of The University of Reading acquired the reason that the legacy Whiteknights Park in 1947. Since that TREE WALK time, the University has maintained of planting is here to the natural beauty of the campus and enjoy today. preserved the lake, trees and open spaces that give Whiteknights its unique character. WHITEKNIGHTS London Road campus 0 200m Academic, administrative and service buildings WHITEK NI 600ft G 0 HT Halls of residence S R UPPER REDLANDS ROAD OA D 21 Path Cafe

Foxhill

18 R E 19 D 20 L D Guidance for visitors A OA Whiteknights N R D EW D Lake S N A Whiteknights is the private property of R O W O R Sports O A T the University of Reading. It has never S 17 K D R grounds W I U N H H G been a park, but a public right of way M I EL T H E AM K runs from Earley Gate to Shinfield Road. N RO I A 16 G D The University reserves the right to H rive T prohibit pedestrian access to other ueen’s D S Q R Shineld Road O 24 22 A areas as necessary. Visitors must D 23 Palmer Earley Gate adhere to University rules and regula- Sports Building

grounds

tions which are in operation throughout

S

H 1 25 I N the University’s privately owned land F 2 I E Chanc ellor’s W at Whiteknights and elsewhere. L ay D

R 3 D O 4 A 5 Friends' A In general D 6 O

7 9 Bridge R

S • Please keep to the paths and do not 8 S E N disturb wildlife or pick flowers R E D L • Do not leave any litter or light fires I W • Please keep away from buildings and 15

13 research areas 14

10 The

11 • Roller-skating, skate-boarding and Wilderness

This walk is a permissive kite-flying are not allowed

walk in University of Reading 12 • The lake is not suitable for water Harris

Garden D sports and activities private property. The walk A O R PE S P S • Shooting, archery, golf or other PE E starts and finishes from the R N L R A E projectile sports are not allowed N D E L sports grounds near the I W • Please listen to any additional advice

Shinfield Road entrance. If given by the University staff

you wish to start from the • Access may be restricted or Refreshments Towards the end permission withdrawn at any time. Earley Gate entrance, make of the tree walk, you will find your way towards Friends’ A small, dedicated, Dol.cHe Vita expresso bar is open In addition, dog-walkers please professional team of gardeners to the public. It is situated in the • Keep dogs on leads at all times and Bridge, then bear right and and groundsmen maintain the Palmer Building (marked on the away from sports pitches begin the walk with tree 123 hectares of Whiteknights as map), and is open Monday to well as all the other areas Friday 8.30am–9.00pm, term • Take dog fouling away for disposal number 16. of University land. time Saturday 11.00am–3.00pm. THE WALK 1 SPORT FIELD TREE GROUPS 3 TUPELO TREE 5 KENTUCKY COFFEE TREE 7 SWAMP CYPRESS The tree groups that are present on Nyssa sylvatica Gynmocladus dioica Taxodium distichum the sports field site are an exceptional Chosen for its out Despite its ability to landscape feature. Mixtures of lime, oak, standing autumn survive submerged sweet and horse chestnut form tight groups colour it should in water (through of 20m+ trees providing an oasis amongst also be noted that the development the manicured pitches. the tupelo has of pneumatophores environmental to aid gaseous value, providing exchange) this nectar for bees specimen is and fruit for birds. thriving in the Native to large comparatively areas of eastern North America from dry conditions Ontario to the borders of Mexico. The seeds of this tree were said to of the central area. The foliage colours in have been roasted and used to make November before falling can look stunning 4 CRETAN MAPLE coffee by European settlers giving the tree covered in haw frost. At nearly 30m we Acer sempervirens its common name. As the raw seeds are believe it to be one of the finest specimens To the left of this group are a number poisonous, their use is not recommended! in the country. of elm (Ulmus ‘Sapporo Autumn Gold’) The truly remarkable thing about this tree 8 approximately 25 years old and still showing is the huge bi-pinnate leaves up to 1m long. THE GREAT WHITE CHERRY resistance to Dutch elm disease. This specimen is now flowering reliably, Prunus ‘Tai–Haku’ appreciating its sheltered position. The 2 WELLINGTONIA bark is becoming rough and fissured as Sequoiadendron giganteum the tree matures giving it a rather gaunt Wellingtonia is appearance in winter. THE TREES acknowledged This maple is a tree with great character to be the largest or is that two trees? Regarded as the only 6 MONTEREY PINE living organism on evergreen maple (sempervirens – always Pinus radiata the planet. This green) this specimen keeps its leaves for Wild specimens specimen is a mere most of the winter. Early yellow green of this species are sapling at 34m flowers are followed by striking red keys stunted having This strong growing tree has huge flowers when you compare which show up well against the dark foliage. to endure harsh up to 6cm across with coppery young it to the Sequoia Described as a large shrub or small tree this conditions along foliage and good autumn colour making National Parks is one of the best specimens in the country. the California coast, it one of the best cherries for ornamental General Sherman at but when moved to planting. How Tai–Haku came to be nearly 84m; having a more temperate known is to the credit of Colonel ‘Cherry’ said that it is still quite a landmark, if not a climate they thrive. Collingwood Ingram who in 1923 was shown little incongruous. Replacement specimens This tree was the tree in a Sussex garden. Not knowing planted close by show the species to be an once one of a pair which were the fastest what it was, he propagated it. During a excellent landscape choice as a young tree, growing trees in the UK. The tree measured visit to Japan he was shown an eighteenth perhaps used on a short rotation of 25 in 1904 was 16m high with a trunk diameter century book of paintings and recognised to 30 years. of 1220mm at 1.3m in 18 years from seed. the Sussex tree as one named as Tai–Haku. Its larger twin was unfortunately struck by The tree is now widely grown and all lightning and had to be removed. originate from the tree in Sussex saving it from extinction. How it travelled from Japan remains uncertain. 1 Numbers refer to locations on campus map on previous page 9 PARK HOUSE CEDARS 11 INCENSE CEDAR 13 TURNER’S OAK 15 SHAG BARK HICKORY 17 MIRBECK OAK Cedrus deodara, Cedrus libani Calocedrus decurrens Quercus x turneri Carya ovata Quercus canariensis The Incense Native to Southern Cedar is a tall Europe and columnar tree North Africa this from Califormia oak species has and Oregon. It is tremendous not a true cedar landscape and is given this potential. It could name because of benefit from its aromatic foliage predicted climate and timber. This semi-evergreen change leading it to be more widely planted. The timber was Holm Oak x Common Hickory is an early introduction from The tree is semi-evergreen with an up The Park House Cedars were well traditionally Oak hybrid from the eastern North America (1629) where right form. There are a number of unusual placed in the landscape in scale with used for the manufacture of pencils. Turners Nursery, it is held in high regard for the quality of its oak species in this area including Cork their environment and space to mature. This specimen has respectable trunk although in decline, sweet nuts and autumn colour. Oak (Quercus suber), Water Oak (Quercus Tragically one of the Cedar of Lebanon was diameter of just over 1m and a height of is a tree of great This specimen is a champion tree. nigra), Daimyo Oak (Quercus dentata) and lost in February 2014 leaving its twin more approximately 25m. character, its Unfortunately the tree is now extensively Chestnut Leaf Oak (Quercus castanifolia). exposed. We hope that compensatory prominent waist decayed and is to be reduced in height. 18 WILD SERVICE TREE pruning will give the tree a chance to adapt 12 YEW WALK high graft line These works along with the installation of a to its new environment. Taxus baccata revealing its age. restraint system should ensure the tree can Sorbus torminalis Deodar Cedar was traditionally used in India A significant specimen mentioned by be retained in the short term. The Wild Service for boat building. Introduced to Britain in W.J. Bean in Trees & Shrubs Hardy in the Tree is one of our 1831, the plan to use it for the same purpose British Isles. The tree has been badly 16 CEDAR OF LEBANON most ornamental failed as the growing conditions produced a damaged following the storms of 2014 on native trees but timber which lacked durability. going remedial works will be carried out as one of our least appropriate. well known.

14 LUCOMBE OAK A good garden tree with an upright form Quercus x hispanica ‘Lucombeana’ covered in white This hybrid flowers against the young maple like foliage between Turkey with good autumn colour. Apple scab in Oak and Cork Oak some years is the down side. The fruits originates from were used to brew the drink ‘checkers’. The 10 SNOW PEAR around 1765 when Cedrus libani species can make a suckering group as in Exeter nurseryman this specimen. Pyrus nivalis The University is lucky enough to have over Mr Lucombe found This ornamental pear is one of several thirty Lebanese Cedars of varying sizes the tree growing champion trees found at Whiteknights. A and ages. This tree is of high quality and next to a Cork champion tree is the largest known example certainly in its prime. of a species in the country, measured by the This mature row of yews includes a gold Oak. This first tree apparently was cut into There are a number of specimens in this size of its trunk diameter or height but not form and was likely to have been part of planks area; take a look at the variation of form and necessarily both. formal garden; rows of mature hornbeam for his own coffin! colour. (Carpinus betulus) providing further The Wilderness specimen is a sizable tree Introduced from southern Europe in around evidence. 1800 this attractive April flowering tree has with a diameter of 1310mm and a height silvery felted young leaves. The twisting Yew as a species is well represented on of approximately 28m clearly showing the bark resembles sweet chestnut. Look out campus many of the maturing trees vigour of a hybrid tree. The tree is growing for the drain pipe in the trunk! growing out from their original formal within scrub and is difficult to access, planting of hedges and shaped trees. photograph and measure! 19 LONDON PLANE 21 BLUE ATLAS CEDAR 23 BALKAN MAPLE 25 CHINESE WALNUT www.reading.ac.uk Platanus x hispanica Cedrus atlantica ‘Glauca’ Acer hyrcanum Juglans cathayensis There are a number This specimen of good examples shows the typical of London ascending branch Plane across pattern for the Whiteknights but species which this specimen is helps to distinguish probably two trees it from the level planted in the same branches of Cedar planting pit. London of Lebanon and the Plane displays hybrid vigour by growing up drooping branches to 40m with trunks up to 1m diameter within of Deodar Cedar. Long sticky leaves, attractive catkins a century. Many of the Whiteknights trees A hardy tree from the Atlas Mountains of and showy pink spikes of young nuts on are over 30m. North Africa where it can be snow covered a vigorous tree should encourage more for three months of the year. The blue people to grow this uncommon walnut. 20 DAWN REDWOOD foliage is decorated in autumn with finger The tree produces large crops of nuts but Metasequoia glyptostroboides sized pollen covered catkins followed by These maples flower and come into leaf because of the thickness of the shell there several weeks earlier than Norway Maples is little inside. Until 1941 this was tubby cones. which they resemble. a tree known by LANDSCAPING palaeontologists 22 VETERAN OAKS The Balkan Maple is smaller and slower only; the discovery Quercus robur growing eventually reaching 10–12m. of live specimens in south-west 24 HUPEH CRAB China was as Malus hupehensis remarkable as the recent discovery of Wollemi Pine. This specimen is the largest Dawn Redwood on campus and is starting to show fluting of the trunk. This is a characteristic of the The Estates and Facilities Grounds original Chinese tree that was propagated Maintenance team design, install and (cloned). Recent seed imports without maintain the landscaping features found This extremely useful crab apple was this basal flaw are being used to assess at Whiteknights along with managing the considered by its collector, Ernest Wilson, its suitability for forestry. This is a fast trees, lake and other ecological features. to be the finest flowering tree that he growing species with the potential to grow introduced. Large white flowers are to 40m. As an amenity tree it is shapely and followed by marble like fruit that will remain deciduous with good autumn colour. on the tree as long as the birds will allow. Genetically triploid, the tree comes true from seed and is easy to grow. The Whiteknights campus has a number of oak veterans. These are trees which have huge value to the landscape and the local ecology. Specimens with diameters over 1.5m can be found around the lake and within the Wilderness these trees are managed with minimum intervention.