GARDENS AND LANDSCAPE

Trees have good foundations; they need them to withstand rainy days and strong winds. As a rule of thumb, the roots of most trees spread out as far below ground as does the canopy from the main trunk, similar to the base of a wine glass flaring out as far as the bowl above it. Tree roots generally do not go deep, 90% of all tree roots are located no more than 60cm from the surface. Any disturbance in the root zone, whether it be by compaction, trench digging or building works within the scope of the canopy of a tree, will damage its foundations and increase its chances of collapse.

You may see trees on the estate with circles of woodchip mulch around them. This is often placed there after decompaction – a process that increases the flow of air, water and nutrients to the roots. A good example are the trees on Duck Lawn as you enter the Club; the use of this lawn as a temporary carpark in busy times did nothing for the health of the trees.

Sadly, one of the Club’s oldest trees, a once magnificent Plane sited on the riverbank, adjacent to the Outdoor Pool carpark, has recently had to be removed. The tree was heavily pollarded in 2019, when tree surgeons became aware of rot in its higher branches, which posed a serious health and safety risk. The substantial monolith left behind continued to sprout and provide fresh growth every season, but Head of Grounds & Gardens, Neil Harvey, discovered a hole beside the trunk. On further investigation, this hole was found to be a portal to a cavern three metres deep and about as wide, creating a potential breech in the flood defence.

Sadly, one of the Club’s oldest trees, a once magnificent Plane sited on the riverbank, adjacent to the Outdoor Pool carpark, has recently had to be removed

Luckily, we have expert tree surgeons on call, and a marine engineering company to advise on how the tree can be removed and riverbank made safe. The tree survived the storm of 1928 and associated flooding of the grounds and, when the new, higher, stronger flood defence wall that we know today, was constructed later that year, the tree and one or two of its peers were incorporated into the structure – not a recommended horticultural practice.

In spite of having its lower trunk encased, the tree continued to provide the Club with shade, screening and aesthetic charm for nearly the next century. It did this against the odds and it is perhaps no surprise, in hindsight, that the portion of the tree below ground would rot, and the daily swilling of Thames water around its base would remove decayed wood and accompanying soil. I mentioned that other trees of a similar age were also ‘built’ into the flood defence wall, and these are being tested by a ground penetrating radar to check their integrity.

One of our endangered Plane Trees on the embankment; the aftermath of the 1928 flood;

A hole next to our felled tree that led to a cavern three metres deep

The discovery of the void behind the cobbles has focused our attention on the nature of the flood defence wall and the relative flaws of the cobble as opposed to, say, a concrete wall; something that rises straight up with no footholds for weeds and seeds would be stronger and require less maintenance. It would have the added benefit of increasing the area for new planting and riparian habitats. These new foundations and wall would be a costly project. Fortunately, the Club’s financial planning is well managed, but it shows that unexpected costs can arise from nowhere. These foundations are crucial to the Club’s safety and show that we must always keep an eye on the past and not over-commit for the future.

The tree survived the storm of 1928 and associated flooding of the grounds

I am pleased to say that the Gardens and Landscape Committee (GLC) has solid foundations too. We are very lucky to have colleagues who are passionate and knowledgeable. Jill Marx is a long-serving and invaluable member of that foundation, and her keen eye, good taste and, from the Chair’s point of view, a fantastic memory, help keep the committee from making mistakes that have been made in the past. It is of course, as all good gardeners know, important to keep planting, and we have new members who have embraced their role and are dedicated to helping make the landscape as magical as it can be. Katherine van Tienhoven, our newest member and deputy chair of GLC, has brought with her much inspiration and is now working with staff and advisors on a ‘Style Guide for the Grounds’. In essence, rather than different departments deciding on furniture and fittings in isolation, there will soon be a central source to refer to. We hope that this will prevent ad hoc decisions and bring some homogeneity of design, a common theme throughout the grounds that can be applied to lighting, signage furniture et al – a firm foundation on which to build.

CHARLES CRAVEN, CHAIR, GARDENS AND LANDSCAPE

Heritage and Habitat

Find out more about our trees – their role in our heritage and the habitat they provide – by picking up a copy of this booklet, available from Main Reception