Described as one of the finest entrances to a botanical garden anywhere in the world, the magnificent Redwood Avenue at Benmore Botanic Garden, on Scotlands west coast, is in desperate need of innovative actions or risk being lost to the nation through climate change and disease.
Those caring for the historic 350m long Avenue of giant redwoods (Sequioadendron giganteum), near Dunoon, Argyll, have been monitoring increasing signs of stress. The spectre of climate change hangs over the trees and its effects are already marked. Now, the race is on to save these magnificent specimens for future generations.
The trees are now existing, rather than growing. Their crowns are thinning and many lower branches are completely defoliated. The reasons for the decline, which has accelerated worryingly in recent years, are complex and multifaceted. Soil compaction may be central to the issue, with the Avenue having for many years provided the main vehicle access to the house. Only a very thin layer of topsoil supports the turf that now tops the original hard-core road. This, combined with a typically wet west coast climate, and limited drainage, causes serious waterlogging and puddling around the roots. - Peter Baxter, Curator, Benmore Botanic Garden
The Sequoia Avenue is undoubtedly Benmore Botanic Garden's iconic feature. Planted in 1863 by the wealthy American James Piers Patrick, it lined the original driveway to Benmore House. These trees, native to California, were among the earliest to reach British shores when the species had only just been introduced to the outside world, making Benmores redwoods some of Europes oldest and tallest, reaching up more than 50m high.
However, these magnificent trees are under serious threat due to waterlogging from increased rainfall, which is only projected to worsen in the coming years.
The waterlogging can have dangerous consequences, both through creating a favourable habitat for pathogens, and by increasing trees disease-susceptibility through stress. The condition of the Benmore redwoods clearly suggests root problems. - Dr Katherine Hayde, Mycologist and Plant Health Expert, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
In order to protect these magnificent trees, we need your support to fund the equipment and activity required in order to conserve this avenue for future generations.
You can find out more about the project here: https://www.rbge.org.uk/news/benmore-avenue-appeal/. We hope you will join us in saving Benmore's Sequoia Avenue.
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