Tree & Lawn Company Ltd, although covering the South-East of the UK, have our roots in Colchester. Apart from being the oldest recorded City in Britain, Colchester has an interesting and unusual landmark. A sycamore tree grows in the North East tower of Colchester Castle!
About Colchester Castle
Colchester Castle is one of England’s most significant cultural monuments. For example, it is the largest Norman Keep in Europe. The Castle Museum is home to archaeological collections of top international quality. These collections span 2,500 years of history and include many of the most significant Roman finds in Britain. The Castle was built on the ruins of the Roman Temple of Claudius.
Castle Park is said to be Colchester’s crowning achievement. It is considered a tranquil haven in the centre of Colchester and is an ideal place for a peaceful stroll, a picnic amid the trees and flowers, or to take in the magnificent historical backdrop of Colchester Castle.
Colchester Castle’s sycamore – one of England’s finest trees
Ten trees were in competition for The Woodland Trust‘s Tree of the Year in 2019. These were voted for by the general public. This annual competition is all about highlighting and celebrating the nation’s most amazing and distinctive trees. After losing out to the Allerton Oak in Liverpool for first place, the sycamore tree on to roof of Colchester Castle came in second.
“Taking second place in a nationwide competition for the nation’s favourite tree is a genuine achievement. The Colchester Castle Sycamore is an incredibly unique tree flourishing in an extremely unusual environment.” said Adam Cormack, the Woodland Trust’s director of campaigning. “The residents of Colchester, as well as everyone else who cast a vote for the tree, have every reason to be proud of their role in bringing attention to one of the country’s most extraordinary trees.”
How did it get there?
About 200 years have passed since a sycamore tree was placed on the south-east tower. It was initially planted as a tribute to Napoleon’s 1815 defeat at the Battle of Waterloo. It is said to have been planted by the daughter of the then Mayor.
The original tree had to be taken out in 1985. This was so that the castle wall could be repaired. Nicola, the six-year-old daughter of the mayor at that time, Sir Bob Russell, planted it again in May 1987. Too early to call it a tradition of planting? Read on…
Christmas lights
Last Christmas, Colchester Castle decided to complement the town centre’s Christmas lights and decorations. The outcome was that the iconic sycamore tree on the Castle roof was lit up. It created a warm and welcoming festive atmosphere for residents and visitors.
In November 2021, the High Steward of Colchester Sir Bob Russell was quoted as saying, “I am grateful to those responsible for lighting the tree on top of Colchester Castle that they have invited my two youngest grandchildren to do the honours this year, for it was their mother who, 34 years ago, replanted the tree after it was removed for two years to allow repairs to be undertaken to the Castle walls.
As I was Mayor in 1987, and she was my daughter, it made true the folklore that the tree had been planted by the Mayor’s daughter. Colchester Castle is not only the largest Keep built by the Normans more than 900 years ago, but also the only one which has a tree growing on top of it. Lighting it for Christmas is simply wonderful.”
