LOCAL: Trees to the fore at Marlborough College
Marlborough College has a large estate which involves the management, protection and enhancement of 627 listed trees, the size of a small forest, situated on our almost three hundred acres...
Large areas of the estate are governed by Conservation Bands, Wildlife and Countryside Acts and individual Tree Protection Orders. These codes of practice are all followed carefully and are extremely important in ensuring our landscapes are protected and preserved for future generations.
All trees on Marlborough College land are subject to vigorous priority one and two inspections, carried out by Certhia Consulting Ltd., a specialist arboricultural service provider.
The tree collection at the College is greatly varied in age, genus and location: from the semi-mature Koelreuteria paniculata (Golden Rain Tree) in the Terrace Border to the mature Liriodendron tulipifera (Tulip Tree) in the Masters Lodge, to mention just a couple of our beautiful specimens.
Alongside the aforementioned established trees, the College is privileged to be part of the BSA’s Boarding Orchard scheme which we joined in 2014 with the ceremonial planting of a delightful Cydonia oblonga (old fashioned Quince) at the main entrance to the campus. Fruit trees have also been planted at The Hermitage, Summerfield House, Preshute House and the Master’s Lodge. Indeed, the apples from the trees at Summerfield are made into apple juice by pupils and sold as part of our charitable activities.
Eleanor Kerrigan is Head of Gardens at the College. She said “In order for the College and I to be effective custodians of our landscape, continued planting of trees is vital. Since joining the College three years ago, I’m proud to say the Gardens Team have been responsible for planting in excess of 4,000 whips and young trees, which will be allowed to grow on for hedging and landscaping purposes. As I move forward with tree management on behalf of the College, I will actively continue to care for these lovely trees, which form and offer such unique visual, environmental and health benefits to our campus and local community.”
