By Jenny Floyd, Plymouth Tree Warden
I am a Tree Warden working mostly in the Plymstock area of Plymouth and a member of Plymouth Tree People (Tree Warden Network). I volunteer mostly at Radford Arboretum and in the Radford Woods Local Nature Reserve.
The Arboretum was created 50 years ago by local residents who feared that a particular parcel of land from the sale of the Radford Estates might be lost to development. The historical links with seafarers such as Drake and Raleigh, the famous Elizabethan Radford House, the White Lady Ghost, other facts and folklore might all be forgotten, if efforts to save some old buildings and open up ancient woodlands and pasture land to the public were not made. So locals paid for saplings and whips, they grew on nuts, fruits and seeds, planted and nurtured them themselves in the early years, while fighting to retain some ancient ruins and get the old Radford Lodge listed. Consequently, the establishment of an arboretum containing over 150 trees from around the world led to the recognition of the area as parkland, now known as Radford Park and Arboretum in Plymstock, Devon.
Fifty years on, 2025 is the Golden Anniversary year of the establishment of Radford Arboretum. Its nurture and recognition of the rare, interesting trees still there is now largely due to a few dedicated volunteers. Cutbacks in local authority funding for parks means it is down to us to raise awareness of this wonderful local asset which, unlike most arboreta, has free public access. The history of the Arboretum, Radford Woods Local Nature Reserve (LNR) and the Radford area can be found at http://radfordwoods.co.uk/
Jenny has kindly shared some wassailing songs for Tree Wardens to use at their own orchard celebrations. The songs are free to share, but please do credit Jenny, where possible, for the words.
Image: photo of Jenny Floyd and her percussionist son, Russ, storytelling at a community event
