Another Lee tree has been claimed by the weather. This red maple which bordered the lake in Manor House Gardens has come down into the water. It may have been brought down by the high winds, but was almost certainly weakened internally by the drought.
This photo, believed to have been taken in the mid-1950s, shows the avenue of young lime trees which are estimated at that time to have been at least 25 years old.
This would suggest they were planted in the early part of the 20th century, and would now be at least 100 years old. However initial analysis of a cross-section of the tree which came down suggests it was younger than that. Charles Batchelor believes that some of the Micheldever limes were planted after the great storm on the 15th and 16th October 1987, to replace trees which had been brought down.
It’s believed the discolouration in the centre of the cross-section is evidence of moisture or a fungal infection which may explain why the tree came down. The base of the tree was rotten. If you can provide more information please add a comment!