That oriental plane is just astonishing. So tempting to ascribe human intention to it, and not in a good way. “From Jesus Green to Midsummer Common” could be a title to a poem. Mix in the plane tree, and who knows what might happen? A new literary form? Thank you, Ann. Gorgeous photos.
Oh gosh yes, I think if I'd stumbled across that oriental plane tree in my youth it would have had a marked effect on my imagination... I'm surprised MR James didn't set one of his ghost stories there. But a sonnet could work with that title, or a memoir (I'll start planning it now).
How amazing is that tree! My favourite from a visit a few years ago is a mulberry in the grounds of Corpus Christie College, which I spotted when researching a book about Christopher Marlowe. I liked to imagine him sitting under its branches eating mulberries and holding forth with his friends, although I have no idea how long they live!
Thanks Anna - and I must go and find that tree too! I haven't seen it for a few years, nor the one in Christ's college (where Milton once enjoyed mulberries too). I have the feeling that the tree might be a graft from the original tree, so connected if not exactly the same!
Here I am in Surfside Beach, South Carolina, USA, two miles from the Atlantic Ocean, and thoroughly enjoying your beautiful trees! Thank you for the pictures and your delightful posts.
I miss that avenue from Jesus Green to Midsummer Common so much. Haven’t lived in Cambridge since 2015, but I still take that walk in my head when I want to remember. So many happy memories under those trees.
Thanks Peter - have you spotted one anywhere else? I think it's all the more impressive that it's allowed such freedom in quite a small garden, relatively speaking.
I don't think my arboreal expertise is up to yours, Ann, so I'm not entirely sure if I've seen one before or not. It reminded me of some trees we used to see during a semester spent in southern California, in the LA area. A bit of googling indicates that the California (or Western Sycamore) is a plane tree species native to California. I wonder if I was thinking of those. The twisting, tangled branches are what stick in my memory.
Is there still a huge tree on the street-side lawn of King's College Chapel? I spent a summer in Cambridge in the late 1960s and I remember huddling under it with my friends.
Thank you Dacha - really enjoyed reading these two posts of yours. Another good reason to visit Paris again (as well as to see the restored Notre Dame of course).
Yes. It is a truly remarkable tree and delightful photos. My favourite tree is the deciduous Dawn Redwood. There are several in the Cambridge Botanic Gardens.
I am slightly alarmed at the idea of the cows enjoying the pub grub...they seem very close up and are, as you know, potentially quite a dangerous animal.
I will look out for those redwoods, Ann and I think that was a one-time adventure by the curious cows. Barriers were put up after that incursion, not surprisingly!
That oriental plane is just astonishing. So tempting to ascribe human intention to it, and not in a good way. “From Jesus Green to Midsummer Common” could be a title to a poem. Mix in the plane tree, and who knows what might happen? A new literary form? Thank you, Ann. Gorgeous photos.
Oh gosh yes, I think if I'd stumbled across that oriental plane tree in my youth it would have had a marked effect on my imagination... I'm surprised MR James didn't set one of his ghost stories there. But a sonnet could work with that title, or a memoir (I'll start planning it now).
I think you must write this poem, Mary!
Agreed!
I just might do that.
How amazing is that tree! My favourite from a visit a few years ago is a mulberry in the grounds of Corpus Christie College, which I spotted when researching a book about Christopher Marlowe. I liked to imagine him sitting under its branches eating mulberries and holding forth with his friends, although I have no idea how long they live!
Thanks Anna - and I must go and find that tree too! I haven't seen it for a few years, nor the one in Christ's college (where Milton once enjoyed mulberries too). I have the feeling that the tree might be a graft from the original tree, so connected if not exactly the same!
These pictures are such a joy. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks Dominika, it's a great joy to think about trees sometimes.
Here I am in Surfside Beach, South Carolina, USA, two miles from the Atlantic Ocean, and thoroughly enjoying your beautiful trees! Thank you for the pictures and your delightful posts.
Hi Meg, that sounds lovely! Many thanks for your kind words.
I am so enjoying your posts. I have gotten wonderful recommendations of books to read, and I am reading them! Bless you!
Ah that’s so nice to hear Meg. I am compiling my ‘books of the year’ now so will be glad to hear about anything you’ve enjoyed.
I miss that avenue from Jesus Green to Midsummer Common so much. Haven’t lived in Cambridge since 2015, but I still take that walk in my head when I want to remember. So many happy memories under those trees.
It's such a nice vista, isn't it Madeleine - and sometimes I hardly notice it, as I go past. So I'm very glad it brings back fond memories for you!
That oriental plane tree is magnificent. Wonderful pictures.
Thanks Peter - have you spotted one anywhere else? I think it's all the more impressive that it's allowed such freedom in quite a small garden, relatively speaking.
I don't think my arboreal expertise is up to yours, Ann, so I'm not entirely sure if I've seen one before or not. It reminded me of some trees we used to see during a semester spent in southern California, in the LA area. A bit of googling indicates that the California (or Western Sycamore) is a plane tree species native to California. I wonder if I was thinking of those. The twisting, tangled branches are what stick in my memory.
We have two Copper Beech Trees in our backyard in East Hampton that we love.
Also, there is an alley of plane trees on the west side of Fifth Avenue that can appear very beautiful especially after it snows.
Those copper beeches sound great, David. And there's something special about an avenue of trees in a city, I can just picture that.
Will try to send a picture of the Plane trees next time it snows. Now they are “undressed.”
Thanks David, looking forward to seeing them.
What a gorgeous treat. Makes me miss it so. Thank you!
Thanks Alisa! Fun to compile this. Could be a series in its own right…
Gorgeous pictures! Obviously the cows steal the show and then the photo of the early morning mist! I feel a poem is about to be born.
Thank you and I look forward to your poem (cows and/or morning mist equally inspiring).
Pressure’s on!
Poetic pressure, the best kind.
The cows, absolutely!
There we go, exactly my point! They're gorgeous and by the pub. Who drank up my beer?
Isn't it wonderful to continually find unique things in our world? Thank you for sharing these.
Many thanks Mimi and a Happy New Year to you.
Gorgeous photos, Ann. Thank you for sharing. 🍂🍂🍂
Thanks Ollie!
What lovely photos! This pictorial tour offered a very enjoyable grading break for me. Thanks as always, Ann!
Thank you Alisa! My laptop went on the blink last week, so I thought I would let the pictures do the talking instead of me. Glad you enjoyed it!
Is there still a huge tree on the street-side lawn of King's College Chapel? I spent a summer in Cambridge in the late 1960s and I remember huddling under it with my friends.
There is, I am happy to say, Nancy! It’s been cut back a lot but I think it’s also a type of oriental plane tree with a wide canopy - will check.
Oh wonderful! Thank you!
This oriental plane…It looks like a moving creature !
Thank you for sharing it with us.
I wrote about some very special trees recently :
https://open.substack.com/pub/dachatabet/p/every-tree-is-a-home?r=tjh1b&utm_medium=ios
Thank you Dacha - really enjoyed reading these two posts of yours. Another good reason to visit Paris again (as well as to see the restored Notre Dame of course).
May I refer my
WILLOW TALK
(poem)
Christina Migone-Benfield
Jul 25, 2024??
https://open.substack.com/pub/christinamigonebenfield/p/willow-talk?r=47awag&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Yes, that works well! Great title & a lovely poem.
Yes, do, Christina! Do you have a link to it that you could post here?
Yes. It is a truly remarkable tree and delightful photos. My favourite tree is the deciduous Dawn Redwood. There are several in the Cambridge Botanic Gardens.
I am slightly alarmed at the idea of the cows enjoying the pub grub...they seem very close up and are, as you know, potentially quite a dangerous animal.
I will look out for those redwoods, Ann and I think that was a one-time adventure by the curious cows. Barriers were put up after that incursion, not surprisingly!