Champion tree discovered in the gardens

Tom Longridge, gardener turned tree detective tells us more:

In a secluded corner of the American Garden a champion tree has been discovered after recent conservation work to cut back some of the undergrowth in the area. Quietly growing for nearly one hundred years, a rare form of beech tree (Fagus sylvatica ‘Cristata’) has recently been verified as the biggest in Yorkshire at a circumference of 2.45 metres. It is still a little of short of the British Champion at Wray Castle in Cumbria, at 3.38 metres though!

This unusual tree is also called the ‘Cockscomb Beech’ due to the shape of its leaves resembling the comb on top of a cockerel’s head. It was first raised in the 1830’s as a new variety of the common beech.

Champion trees, in terms of height and girth, are recorded by the Tree Register – see their website for more details. Maybe there is a champion tree to be discovered near you!