| Survey data | |
|---|---|
| Surveyed by: Jennie Harvey | Surveyed on: 9th November 2014 |
| Number of trees: 1 | |
| Girth: 4.02m (measured at 1.5m) | |
| Tree form: Maiden | |
| Dead or alive: Alive | |
| Standing/fallen: Upright | |
| Access: Private - visible from public access (permission not required to view) | |
This tree's story
This is the tree I always take as my turn-around point when I run to Chartham from Canterbury. It’s always struck me as a beautiful tree so I decided to go back and measure/record it. While I was making my notes a dog walker and his daughter came to see what I was doing, and the man told me he felt that trees, especially big, old ones such as this weeping willow, were so important to the spirituality of a place. He said he liked to feel the life underneath him in the vast root system, and this was important for the aura of the place.
Growing on the tree
- Lichen
- Fungi
Signs of animal life
- Insect boring
- Bird nesting
Additional comments
Weeping willow with a huge crown, like an umbrella over the path and dipping in to the river Stour at the tips of the branches. Very majestic tree. Trunk splits at about 2m and again at 3m with very large, twisting, many-branched limbs. A number of cavities in the trunk, one with a very large hollow inside, potentially home to many creatures and sadly also used as a bin (strongbow can inside). In addition to the large cavities which appear to be where limbs have broken off/been cut off (you can still see where one of them has developed from a cut-off branch), there are also many insect holes. A spider appeared to have made a home in a fungus which had colonised the main trunk. Many spiders have a home in the tree, other insect holes present too. Pigeons sitting in the upper branches. Also several lichen species. Beautifully twisted bark with huge deep fissures. A beautiful tree right next to the path (Great Stour Way), but on the edge of Chrtham village hall’s green. The first of a row of trees you come to on the edge of the path as you hit Chartham village green. Next to the dog waste bin.