Tree of the Month

Square Dwellers

By Martin Freeth – Trees of Martinborough

Inside Martinborough Square, the leaves are well on the turn. Our extraordinary oaks, elms. limes and gums all appear in good condition after summer’s hot, dry spell.

Enduring credit must go to the towns folk of a century ago – but much is due also to a foresighted group of tree guardians who poured thought, labour and money into rejuvenating the Square’s heart of green only 15-20 years ago.

Back then, the District Council asked a voluntary square group _ Ro Griffiths, Mate Higginson, David Lawrence and David Bull _ to oversee judicious tree thinning and pruning, along with upgrading the paved areas. The group worked long and hard over five years to oversee the tree work, import new soil, install irrigation and lighting, and plant three new elms on the corner opposite Texas Street.

That trio – Ulmus Fastigiata or Upright elms – have grown well to complement the 32 other trees that proudly occupy Soldiers Memorial Square today. (Martinborough Square is, of course, the whole rectangle between Ohio, Strasbourg, Cork and Naples Streets with the memorial green at the centre).

The oldest of the trees are oaks planted in 1920 (on Cambridge Road side). According to Mate, the old town leaders planted many different species intensively to see what would grow best, and they gave pride of place to oaks and elms from Northern hemisphere countries where soldiers fell during World War I : a Turkish Oak among them.

The work 20 years ago included removing several specimens in ill-health or crowding the square’s precious space and light. A diseased Scarlet Oak came out as did a large Totara, the collection’s only

native. The latter’s removal has enabled more growth by the stunning American elm located opposite Kansas St.

The square group also planted the trees – mostly Hornbeam elms, Chinese elms and Malus or crabapple trees – which handsomely fringe the Square roadway, and parts of Kansas and Texas Streets. These have grown very well, thanks to great care taken with their planting in 2007-8 and watering in the years since.

None would disagree with Ro Griffiths’ comment over coffee last month: “We’re very fortunate to have such a Square and to see it being used by so many people is wonderful … really, nothing more needs to be done other than keeping the trees in good health and looking superb.”

Mate Higginson is, likewise, adamant that Soldiers Memorial Square be kept as now – a green place of rest for all people and of remembrance for our War dead. Mate stands ready to support the efforts of any who will assume the mantle of tree guardianship inside Martinborough Square from now on.

As autumn leaves fall again, let us never take our extraordinary trees for granted.