"Champion Butia" in a London park

[David Matzdorf]

[duplicate of my post from the EPS forum]

I saw this small news item in the August issue of "The Garden":

So far this year nearly 80 new champion trees have entered the national register, including several half-hardy specimens such as a pindo palm (Butia capitata) thriving in Chumleigh Gardens, Burgess Park, Southwark, London SE5.

Burgess Park was only completed in the 1980s, so this can't be any kind of ancient survivor, and I assume that it's really B. odorata.

There's also a bit about it here, but the photo is an unclickable thumbnail.

I wonder if we have any intrepid, photographically-minded members in South London who fancy a wander around Burgess Park to get us some images of this tree. Then we can canvass the membership, to see if this really is the best Butia on the block.

[charlie]

I wonder what their criteria is as to how long something must have been planted to be eligible? We don't have a huge membership but there are a few that may like a challenge! as I am wondering about the one at Lamorran which I now has been there since the garden started and now seems huge!

[SteveP]

Not the most intrepid challenge a plant hunter has ever been set but I'll do my best.

Certainly it is close enough to central London to be untroubled by most winters and I would imagine looks good (no wind wear and tear) if it is reasonably well sheltered. With the recent warm spell it should have had put on quite a bit of growth this summer, mine has already put out a record 5 or 6 leaves. Modest I know but good for Butia.

Steve

[SteveP]

This shows it in reasonable detail. The image can be zoomed and was taken in October last year.

https://picasaweb.google.com/1170963613 ... 2083781554

Great plant but not sure about the title 'Champion Tree'. Personally I'm not a great fan of the mosaic tile raised bed/pond.

Steve