Plum (Prunus cerasifera) blossom in February. Signs of spring are showing at Crabtree Fields: blossom on a plum tree, near the Colville Place gate. Plum (Prunus cerasifera) is one of the earliest trees to blossom in the park. It is native to southeast Europe and western Asia. It was introduced to Britain so long ago … Continue reading Spring blossom on a plum tree at Crabtree Fields
Over a hundred trees planted this autumn and winter at Crabtree Fields
Some of the trees we planted during the first week of December. The Friends group have now completed our sessions of winter planting in Crabtree Fields. This past week we planted nearly 100 saplings, thanks to the The Conservation Volunteers Dig Trees’ scheme which supplied the trees. In November we planted 30 trees provided by … Continue reading Over a hundred trees planted this autumn and winter at Crabtree Fields
In flower: loquat (Eriobotrya japonica)
Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) flowers in late autumn but is unlikely to bear any fruit. If you take a wander through Crabtree Fields at the moment you may be lucky to smell the fragrant blossom of loquat (Eriobotrya japonica). Native to China and widely grown in Japan it is often referred to as Japanese loquat. In … Continue reading In flower: loquat (Eriobotrya japonica)
Thirty saplings for hedges planted in Crabtree Fields
Ready to plant. 30 saplings and tree planting spade. This morning we planted 30 saplings at Crabtree Fields to increase the density and amount of native hedgerows -- including six crab apple trees. In all we planted six each of crab apple (Malus sylvestris), hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), dogwood (Cornus sanguinea), dog rose (Rosa canina), and … Continue reading Thirty saplings for hedges planted in Crabtree Fields
Autumn and winter maintenance and planting at Crabtree Fields
Vegetation around the park has been trimmed. The Friends group and Camden's contractor idverde have completed the first stage of the autumn and winter pruning of hedges at Crabtree Fields in readiness for planting of new trees and shrubs. The autumn trim will make it easier to sweep the hard surface areas. The vines on … Continue reading Autumn and winter maintenance and planting at Crabtree Fields
Sightings of bats in Crabtree Fields
Common pipistrelle bat. Source: Barracuda1983 / CC BY-SA (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) Bats are roosting in or near to Crabtree Fields public open space and can be seen flying among the trees shortly after sunset. Three positive sightings of either common pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) or soprano pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pygmaeus) bats have been made during August. These two species … Continue reading Sightings of bats in Crabtree Fields
Children’s playground at Crabtree Fields closed until further notice
The children's playground at Crabtree Fields will be closed until further notice due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Camden Council has taken the decision to close children's playgrounds across the borough due to the Covid-19 pandemic. From today the playground in Crabtree Fields is closed but the park will otherwise be open at the usual times. … Continue reading Children’s playground at Crabtree Fields closed until further notice
Hawthorn blossom in January at Crabtree Fields
A hawthorn tree in Crabtree Fields is starting to blossom, yet it is only the first week of January. Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) also known as the May tree after the month it normally blooms is a common sight in the hedgerows outside London. When in bloom it is usually at a time when spring is … Continue reading Hawthorn blossom in January at Crabtree Fields
Reusing Norway spruce to help nature conservation in Crabtree Fields
A deadwood area next to a brick wall provides an important habitat for wildlife. The Friends group made light work on Saturday morning of a couple of discarded Christmas trees left on the pavement outside Crabtree Fields public open space. Twenty minutes with a pair of pruning loppers and a handsaw, and the abandoned festive … Continue reading Reusing Norway spruce to help nature conservation in Crabtree Fields
Ten beech trees planted in Crabtree Fields this autumn
The Friends group have planted ten beech trees at Crabtree Fields public open space, to restore the hedge that surrounds the eastern border of the park. The beech saplings, which are about five years old, were all planted by volunteers in November. They were bought from a nursery in Kent and paid for by a … Continue reading Ten beech trees planted in Crabtree Fields this autumn
