Tree work in Gibraltar

What sort of help does the Tree Gang provide?

As part of our role as a Botanic Garden, we assist other Botanic Gardens. This can be through providing plants for the collection or advice. Unfortunately we can only do this for other scientific institutions.

One of the trees climbed by Jon in Gibraltar is a stone pine. Do you have one at Kew?

The stone pine at Kew is one of our heritage trees. The tree is at reference P6/P7 on the visitor map given to visitors on arrival.

Find out more Kew's stone pine...

Tree planting

Which trees were planted on the island in the Lake?

The trees planted were Nyssa sinensis and we plan to plant 50 more on a neighbouring island this Winter. Their wonderful Autumn colour will reflect fiery red across the lake when they are older.

Where are Kew's islands?

Kew's lake has four islands. The lake is artificial and the spoil from the lake formed the mound on which the Temperate House was built.

Find out more about the Lake...

Why does Kew plant over 100 trees each year?

One of Kew's responsibilities is to maintain its living collection of over 14,000 trees. Each year trees die and need replacing. We also need to plan ahead so that future generations will be able to enjoy mature trees.

What is Kew's advice on planting trees?

When transplanting a fieldgrown tree the rootball is kept moist after lifting from the field and wrapped with hessian to keep it moist and to prevent the small fiborous feeding roots from drying out and dying. This should be done even for short periods of time. If planting straight from containers then they should be thoroughly watered prior to planting. All trees should be watered in to settle the soil around the roots to prevent air pockets, as this will also roots to die. The holes we dig are about one and a half spits deep ( about 18 - 20 inches - 45- 50 cms) and no organic material is added ie.compost. This encourages the tree to grow out into the surrounding soil quicker and not to sit in it's own compost. The perfect planting depth is also critical, trees planted too deep will be short lived. The perfect depth is at what we call the nursery line, this is the mark shown on the stem of a plant where it originally came out of the field, in the case of a container grown plant, the mark at the soil level in the pot. The hole is dug square as it is easier for the roots to break out of the tree pit when they reach a corner, rather then going round and round, in a round hole as they do in a pot. We ensure that the trees are centred in the pit and upright and most are supported usually with canes for the first 12 months. They are then mulched to retain moisture and suppress weeds from around the young trees, but the mulch must be kept clear of the immediate base of the plant. For smaller trees, we put netting (which we call baskets) around around the smaller trees and it is for there for protection often from water fowl and normally stays on for 2 - 5 years. The underground support system is made from low-grade metal and stays there until it rots.

Maintaining Kew's heritage trees

Where is the Turner's oak?

The Turner's oak is near the North End of the Princess of Wales Conservatory and close to the Secluded Garden (ref O7 on visitor map handed to visitors).

Find out more the Turner's oak...

What is decompaction and why do you get rid of the grass under the trees?

The soil under many of Kew's trees has been trodden down over the years making it difficult for the roots to obtain nutrients and moisture. Decompacting the soil allows it to be aerated. Grass under the trees absorbs moisture.

Find out more about our 'ground-breaking' techniques to relieve compaction...

Orchid Festival

Why does Kew import orchids for the Orchid Festival?

During the Orchid Festival the Princess of Wales Conservatory has an extraordinary display of orchids bringing colour into the winter months. Kew's orchid collection is not big enough and we do not have the facilities to grow sufficient orchids. They are therefore imported from parts of the world where they are plentiful to augment Kew's living collection. The finished festival is one of the must see sights of Kew.

Find out more about Passion! The Irresistible Beauty of Orchids in 2005...

Why are the orchids being checked for bugs by Defra?

This is a condition of importing orchids. Plants have to be inspected by Defra and given clearance. It is important that nothing infects Kew's collection.

Cycads

Which is the oldest pot plant in the world?

The Encephalartos altensteinii was brought to England in 1775. This was one year before the American Declaration of Independence and during the reign of George III who had a residence in the Gardens - White Lodge and whose family also lived in the Dutch House (now known as Kew Palace). White Lodge was demolished in 1781.

Find out more the Encephalartos altensteinii...

What happens when cycads cone?

There was great excitement in the Palm House In 2003 when two cycads coned. They were male and female plants of Dioon spinulosum.

Get an update on the coning of Dioon spinulosum...

Did the cycad cone or produce more leaves?

Encephalartos altensteinii produced a new flush of leaves.

More faqs...

Do staff feel that it is a privilege to work at Kew?

We are very much aware of Kew's importance as a scientific institution and its heritage. We know we are passing through and want to ensure future generations enjoy the Gardens as much as we do.

Good bye from the team at Kew

We hope that you have found this website and our questions useful for you to find out more about Kew and Wakehurst Place. We are adding more information to the site every week.

A second Series of 'A Year at Kew' is being filmed in the Gardens for showing in Autumn 2005.

The best way to find out about us is to visit us. We look forward to welcoming you to Kew and Wakehurst Place.

Find out more about visiting the gardens....