Rockingham castle, UK - Acer griseum

Discussion in 'Maples' started by dicky5ash, Feb 21, 2022.

  1. dicky5ash

    dicky5ash Generous Contributor

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    Few pics from yesterday - given the number of trees in the grounds, hill top site and the number of huge evergreen trees I’m surprised I didn’t see any that had fallen..some were situated on precarious steep banks but still standing strong.

    Not sure what that last evergreen tree is..very odd..maybe Yew if some kind
     

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  2. AlainK

    AlainK Renowned Contributor Forums Moderator Maple Society 10 Years

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    Any idea what the tree in the 3rd photo is (the one with a smooth bark on the lower trunk and flakes above) ?

    And yes, the last one looks a lot like a Taxus of some sort.
     
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  3. Acerholic

    Acerholic Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator VCBF Cherry Scout Maple Society

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    Wonderful with the snow drops R.
     
  4. dicky5ash

    dicky5ash Generous Contributor

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    I believe white tree with peeling bark is a Birch of some kind.
     
  5. dicky5ash

    dicky5ash Generous Contributor

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    Morning D. The place was covered in them..was really pretty
     
  6. Margot

    Margot Renowned Contributor 10 Years

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    That hedge is fantastic!
     
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  7. dicky5ash

    dicky5ash Generous Contributor

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    I know it’s crazy..never seen anything like it lol there are 2 with a 10 foot gap in between..It’s Yew
     
  8. AlainK

    AlainK Renowned Contributor Forums Moderator Maple Society 10 Years

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    Topiary art seems to be on the decline, people prefer more naturalistic styles, or rounded forms like the smaller hedges of azaleas like they do in Japan, more relaxing to the eye. But yew used to be a favourite for that kind of landscaping. It's kept in the parks and gardens of "châteaux" where they are a feature of this very geometric view of what a "jardin à la française" is.
     
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  9. dicky5ash

    dicky5ash Generous Contributor

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    I’ve never seen the crazy shapes before..
     
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  10. AlainK

    AlainK Renowned Contributor Forums Moderator Maple Society 10 Years

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    Crazy, but much more to my taste than the traditional topiaries. It must be soothing walking around, looking at them. The Zen touch... It would be interesting to discuss with the landscape gardener to hear why they chose this.
     
  11. dicky5ash

    dicky5ash Generous Contributor

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    I agree entirely far more interesting and thought provoking than perfect symmetry!
     
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  12. Margot

    Margot Renowned Contributor 10 Years

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    Just a guess but I wonder if it could have evolved from necessity. Years ago I saw a long Pyramidalis hedge that had grown too tall and then damaged (I suppose) from a heavy snowfall that pulled some of the branches out of alignment. Instead of tying them up or cutting them off, someone just pruned around them, creating a similar lumpy appearance - not as undulating as the Rockingham Castle hedge but similar.
     
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  13. AlainK

    AlainK Renowned Contributor Forums Moderator Maple Society 10 Years

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    Could be.

    But I don't think that in Britain there's never so much snow as to damage "pyramidal yews".

    I found back photos from 2014, can't remember where it was exactly, not far from London, UK. There was an "indoor tennis court" for those who might know where the place is.

    There's even a photo of the damn grey squirrel (or his brother) that bit one of my students when he gave him seeds, and we had to take him to the nearest hospital to get an injection :

    IMG_6148.JPG IMG_6149.JPG IMG_6150.JPG
     
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  14. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

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    Looks like white Himalayan birch. Currently being topped by bronze birch borer in my area, where the dominant grafted clone is 'Doorenbos'. And the damage to the naturalized (and frequently planted) Betula pendula and the native B. papyrifera is even more severe.
     
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  15. dicky5ash

    dicky5ash Generous Contributor

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    Thanks Ron - I googled Himalayan Birch and it did very much look like that..it was far more white in appearance than my poor quality photo showed..a very striking tree I thought!
     
  16. dicky5ash

    dicky5ash Generous Contributor

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    Looks very much like Hampton Court palace, West London..I may be wrong
     
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  17. dicky5ash

    dicky5ash Generous Contributor

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    Pesky vermin squirrels!!!
     
  18. AlainK

    AlainK Renowned Contributor Forums Moderator Maple Society 10 Years

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    Yes, that's it!
     
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  19. emery

    emery Renowned Contributor Maple Society 10 Years

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    I love the free form topiary! Spectacular. And the griseum with the galanthus, really lovely.

    I had guessed B. utilis or perhaps B. albosinensis. No labels? B. utilis is very variable though, as well as the very white ones we often see planted ('Doorenbos' etc, sometimes called v. jacquemontii though I don't think this is accepted) they can also be a nice brown. Lovely trees all.
     
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  20. dicky5ash

    dicky5ash Generous Contributor

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    Thanks Emery. No labels! It was bright Tippex white and some sections a lovely yellow/white..was very striking!
     
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