Trees ‘giving up’: Historic English gardens struggle to preserve their character amid climate change
HAMPTON COURT, Aug 26 — At Hampton Court Palace, head gardener Graham Dillamore strode across the burnt beige gras...
At Hampton Court Palace in southwest London, head gardener Graham Dillamore expressed concern over the struggling historic gardens amid climate change. Dillamore, who has cared for the gardens for over two decades, anticipates that a summer like this one next year would present a significant challenge. The formal gardens, designed in the 17th century by master designers like Lancelot "Capability" Brown and William Kent, are among England's most popular tourist attractions.
However, these gardens face unprecedented stress due to severe heatwaves, drought, and heavy storms.
Gardeners reported that mature trees, which take decades to establish, are drooping and turning brown in August in response to excessive heat. Some of these trees are already giving up, according to Dillamore, indicating a tragic loss of mature tree stock in historic gardens. The gardener, overseeing gardens at Kensington Palace, highlighted the tragic loss of these ancient trees, which are integral to the historic character of the gardens.
At Chiswick House in west London, head of gardens Rosie Fyles explained that they have already lost several trees, mostly oaks, sycamores, birch, and limes, which are synonymous with English gardens. Watering mature trees is impractical, and rainwater harvesting has become insufficient. Gardeners face a sobering reality - the need to adapt their plantings to survive in the changing climate.
Drew Bennellick, head of lands, seas, and nature policy at the National Lottery Heritage Fund, stated that historic gardens are "on the front line of climate change," with reports of sites losing up to 80 percent of their tree cover.
Experts predict that by 2090, 50 percent of trees at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, will be at risk of death. Gardeners are contemplating shifting towards Mediterranean plants, drought-resistant grasses, and resilient herbaceous perennials to adapt to the new climate reality. Hampton Court and Chiswick House have introduced test beds of heat-tolerant plants, such as Siskiyou Pink flowers and echinaceas, which thrive without automatic irrigation.
These changes aim to retain the spirit of the historic gardens while ensuring their survival amidst the rapidly evolving climate.
Written by urgent.news from Malay Mail's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
