Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill have some venerable old trees, but even the oldest living specimens date back to 1818, when John Nash’s plan for the park was put into action. The Oak trees support a rich variety invertebrate fauna; the hollow veteran Cotoneaster in the Broadwalk still stands due to a thin strip of living tissue.
In Queen Mary’s Gardens, there’s a little group of ancient fossilised tree trunks – small enough that many walk past and don’t know they’re there! Experts agree they are from coniferous trees laid down in sedimentary rock in Dorset. Some scientists have theorised that one of the trees is a close relative of the Araucaria – the primitive monkey puzzle tree from South America.
Our trees offer so much throughout the year – shelter, shade, shifting light and changing colour. The Park’s trees also bring huge crop of berries – a sight to see and a food source for birds.
In 2019, Matt Steinman – one of the tree team from The Royal Parks – had the idea to create an app for Regent’s Park visitors to identify trees. This came together alongside music composed by students from the Royal Academy of Music in The Regent’s Park.
‘Music for Trees’ uses geo location technology to identify the tree. Once you have downloaded the free app, head to the collection of 150 trees located between the Ready Money fountain on the Broadwalk and the park fence south of the Gloucester Gate playground. Download the Royal Parks Music for Trees app below.
As part of the original Nash layout, Chester Road – one of the main gateways to the park – was planted with cherry trees in the 1930s. Cherry trees are widely known for their blossoms called ‘Sakura’ – from the ornamental breed of the same species. Originating from Japan, these trees were first cultivated during the Edo Period, and named after the vanilla scented flowers that adorn them. At the same time as Queen Mary’s Rose Gardens were established – both of these projects were made possible thanks to a donation from local resident and acclaimed artist Sigismund Goetze (1866-1939).
The last cherry trees (Prunus ‘Kanzan’) were planted in 1978 and removed in February 2015 having reached the end of their natural lifespan. However, thanks to generous donations from the local community, 100 new cherry trees of the variety Prunus ‘Sunset Boulevard’, were planted in November 2015. Spring now heralds the arrival of their flowers in the Regent’s Park. HRH The Prince of Wales lent his support to the campaign to restore the Cherry Tree Avenue. A plaque next to the Broadwalk/Chester Road junction commemorates the kind donors who contributed.
In November 2019 Regent’s Park was the recipient of 36 new cherry trees from Japan to the UK government. The story is one of mutual respect and friendship between Japan and the UK that first took root over 150 years ago.
This gift from Japan came about as part of the Japan-UK Season of Culture 2019-20, that saw 6,500 planted in parks and schools around the UK. To mark the start of the project, 36 cherry trees were planted in Regent’s Park on 27th November – the first of 125 in The Royal Parks.
The trees are part of a growing cross-cultural legacy between the two countries that spans from business and industry to horticulture. You can find them on both sides the lake between the York Gate and Clarence gate entrances to the park.
Cherry trees live for around 50 years. We will see them blossom for many years to come – each tiny petal a reminder of their history and the special bond between our two countries.
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Friends of Regent’s Park & Primrose Hill is a registered charity in England and Wales (no 1201666)
