Farrant Ave Noel Park, Circa 1905

Comment by Geraldine on April 10, 2015 at 10:47

Neat as a new pin.  I'd love to have moved into one of those in 1905.  Are those window boxes on the 1st floor?  Are the same trees still there?

Comment by Hugh on April 10, 2015 at 11:58

I was pondering on the fate of Edwardian street trees the other day. I THINK what seems to have happened is that our forebears planted varieties that can grow very large with the intention of keeping their growth controlled by regular pruning. The planting of limes in front gardens was done with much the same intention. When the will or the means to maintain them evaporated and they grew way beyond original plans, many of them were ripped out and replaced with a higgledy-pigeeldy ragtag, and much smaller, collection of odds and sods. For my money, the linear nature of most London streets is best complimented  by plantings of a single tree species.

Comment by Geraldine on April 10, 2015 at 12:21

I do so agree.  Trees in London are like trees in Hong Kong, or any city - a green lung.  But they should be beautiful too.  I think our forebears had the right idea, not for the first time!

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