According to The Mercury newspaper in 1843 Messer’s Sutton and Son (Sutton Seeds) were awarded the contract for the planting of the shrubs in Reading Old Cemetery. Some of these shrubs are now mature trees – with species including Beech, Cedars, Monkey puzzle and Wellingtonia (Giant Redwood). The site’s much loved Weeping beech tree was voted Reading’s favorite tree in 2011.
During 2011, RBC undertook a survey of the trees on the site, which assessed the condition of 300 trees, including 15 notable Victorian style exotic specimens. Other trees include mature Lime around the site perimeter which are typical of the Victorian/Edwardian era.
Recent tree planting in Reading Old Cemetery
Photo credit: Teresa Verney-Brookes
During 2012, Reading Tree Warden Network, Redlands Globe and Newtown NAG planted several Giant redwood trees at the site were planted to celebrate The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympic Games.
As part of Reading’s Tree strategy, Lime and yews trees have also been planted within the cemetery.
There are also many self-seeding/naturally regenerated tree species within the cemetery including Ash, Sycamore, Holm oak, Holly, and Beech. Encouraging natural regeneration, where appropriate (i.e not on graves/monuments) is much favoured by The Friends of Reading Old Cemetery.
However, the 2011 survey of trees undertaken at the site by Reading Borough Council identified a significant number of regenerating/self-set Ash and Sycamore saplings emerging in unsuitable locations, especially from graves, which were likely to cause damage in these monuments in the future.
Woodland Trust’s Ancient Tree Inventory
In December 2021, four more of the mature trees were added to The Woodland Trust Ancient Tree Inventory, making a total of five now recorded here: https://ati.woodlandtrust.org.uk/
Read here about the importance of ancient trees plus what to record and why.
Dead-wood habitats
Where possible, we try to keep as much dead-wood on site in the form of dead wood habitat piles. as these provide a valuable habitat and food source for a range of invertebrates and other creatures.
However, given that the cemetery is completely full (despite many plots not having a gravestone/monument to mark them) it is often quite difficult to site these habitat piles.
Alphabetical index of a selection of trees in Reading Old Cemetery (according to the common names of trees)
PLEASE NOTE – This is still an incomplete list and more species will be added in the near future
A
Ash (Fraxinus excelsior)
Most of the ash trees in the cemetery have regenerated naturally.
Also in a 2011 survey of trees undertaken at the site by Reading Borough Council identified a significant number of regenerating/self-set Ash saplings are emerging in unsuitable locations, especially from graves, which were likely to cause damage in these monuments in the future.
Many of these self-seeded Ash trees are suffering from the now widespread ash dieback – which is a serious disease caused by the fungus Hymenoscyphus fraxineus (formally called Chalara fraxinea). The disease causes leaf loss and crown dieback in affected trees and can lead to the death of the tree.
Visit the Woodland Trust website for more information and identification tips and/or to view the video which shows a year in the life of an ash tree.
B
Box elder or Ash-leaved maple (Acer negundo)
A lovely example of Box elder, which is a member of the Acer (Maple) family and a native of North America can be found adjacent to the main grassy path on the western section of the London Road side of the site.
C
Cedar (Cedrus Sp.)
Cedar trees are large evergreen conifers. There are four species of cedar trees in the genus Cedrus, belonging to the pine (Panacea) family.
At Reading Old, there are three cedar species; Cedar of Lebanon (Cedrus libani); Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica) and Deodar cedar (Cedrus deodar).
Cedar trees can be identified by their needles (leaves), cones, bark and also the way in which they grow – but that said, distinguishing between each species can nevertheless still be quite difficult! PLEASE PUT READ MORE BUTTON ON THE NEXT Bits about different Cedars
The Cedar of Lebanon (Cedrus libani) – has horizontal-growing branches, with glaucous, bluish foliage and can grow up to 40 m (130 ft) in height. Its large, barrel shaped cones grow up to 13 cm (5 “) and 6 cm (2.4”) wide. Mature trunks can sometimes separate into several different ones and its bark is grey-brown and smooth before becoming rough as it matures. It often has a conical shape before the uppermost branches flatten out as they grow horizontally. It is reported that some Cedar of Lebanon’s can live for over 1,000 years.
Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica) – has branches that grow in a decending (downward) direction, it has dark green foliage and . They often conical in shape and are generally not as tall as the other cedar species. Their barrel shaped cones have smooth scales and are shorter than other cedars and are yellow before maturing to dark brown. Its bark is dark brown or grey and fissures as it the tree matures.
Deodar cedar (Cedrus deodar) it’s branches grow in an ascending (upward) direction, with bright green needles and moderate sized cones and grey and scaly bark. Its botanic and common name means “wood of the goods” and its wood is much prized for its durability and attractive grain. End the read more section here
Several large cedar trees majestically dominate the skyline at Reading Old Cemetery. Elsewhere the fallen branches have been chipped and used to improve the pathways on the southern edge of the site.
Elsewhere the fallen branches have been chipped and used to improve the pathways on the southern edge of the site.
Two of the Cedar of Lebanon trees in the cemetery are listed alongside four other trees listed on the Woodland Trust’s Ancient Tree Inventory
F
Fern or Cut-Leaved beech (Fagus sylvatica ‘Asplenifolia’)
The Fern-leaved beech is one of six trees in the cemetery listed on the Woodland Trust’s Ancient Tree Inventory. As can be clearly seen on the photograph above, the tree has been grafted.
G
Giant redwood (Sequoiadendron giganteum)
The Giant redwood was a great favourite tree during the Victorian era. According to Alistair McCullums forthcoming podcast the tree has a long association with Reading as one of it’s earlier names was “Wellingtonia” and Stratfield Saye was the home of the Duke of Wellington its namesake.
In American the tree was also previously known as Sequoia – named after an Indian tribe of native Americans.
Several Giant redwoods were planted in 2012 by Reading Tree Warden Network, Redlands Globe and Newtown NAG to celebrate The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympic Games.
H
Holly (Ilex aquifolium)
Holly can be easily identified by its dark green, prickly leaves and in winter its red berries – which are a great food source for bird.
Holly is a typical Victorian cemetery tree and like other evergreen trees symbolises the continuation of life. Its foliage is very much associated with Christmas and is commonly used for decorations. It is also the title of the well-known Christmas carol – ‘The Holly and The Ivy’.
There is much naturally regenerated holly throughout the cemetery – mostly due to birds injecting the berries and then ‘ejecting’ its seeds.
Visit the Woodland Trust website for more information and tips on identification.
Holm oak (Quercus ilex)
Holm oak is an evergreen, broadleaf tree that can grow to 20m and develop a huge, rounded crown.
It is a non-native species of oak and as such it produces acorns. Most of the trees here in the cemetery have naturally regenerated.
Visit The Woodland Trust website for for information and tips on identification
Horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum)
Horse chestnut are deciduous, broad-leaved trees, commonly known as ‘conker trees’.
The photograph above shows the outside of a circle of the (remaining) eight horse chestnut trees. As can be seen the in the image below – this is plot 57, which is on the southern (Wokingham Road side) of the site. If you are facing away from the Arch (looking East) the circle is on your right hand side – just along from where the former chapel/church stood and where the green air pollution building is now situated.
plot 57
It appears that plot 57 was a very prestigious area to be buried as it contains several ostentatious monuments and many ‘luminaries’ of Reading.
Visit The Woodland Trust website for more information and tips on identification and/or to veiw the video of a a year in the life of a horse chestnut tree
L
Lime (Tilia x europaea)
The traditional common name for lime is ‘Linden’ and they were a real favourite in the Victorian era as their flowers have a beautiful sweet smell plus they are good to manage as pollards.
Pollarding is a method of pruning that keeps trees and shrubs smaller than they would naturally grow and is normally started once a tree or shrub reaches a certain height. It often gives the appearance of a ‘lollipop’ tree shape.
Pollarded limes majestically line the perimeter the cemetery of both the London Road and Wokingham Road sides of the site. There are lots of other examples of pollarded limes in East Reading – including around the perimeter of nearby Palmer Park and along the streets in the university area.
Lime trees provide an important nectar source for pollinators such as bees and wasps as they produce a large amount of pollen and nectar. Limes area also great for aphids – an important food source for many other creatures, but not great if you park your car under lime trees as they soon become covered in sticky honeydew!
Visit The Woodland Trust website for more information about lime trees including tips for identification
M
Monkey puzzle tree (Araucaria araucana)
There is only one remaining Monkey puzzle tree which is believed to be part of the original planting in the Victorian era by Sutton Seeds.
P
Pere David’s Maple or Snake-bark Maple (Acer dcvidii)
The attractive Pere David’s Maple tree which is also known as Snake-bark maple is a bit off the beaten track in the cemetery – to the north of the paupers burial area on the Wokingham Road side of the site.
W
W
Weeping Beech (Fagus sylvatica Pendula)
The magnificent Weeping beech tree is perhaps one of the most iconic trees within Reading Old Cemetery – so much so that it was voted Reading’s favourite tree in 1991.
The Victorians were well-know for their use of plants, trees and flowers as a kind of language – called “floriography” – with weeping varieties of trees and other plants signifying mourning and loss.
Like other ornamental beech trees here in the cemetery, this tree has been grafted.
This tree is one of five trees in the cemetery listed on the Woodland Trust’s Ancient Tree Inventory
On old photographs of the cemetery there appears to have been a second Weeping beech which was located directly behind the non-Anglican (or so-called ‘Dissenters’ chapel). Its large remaining dead trunk is now covered in ivy thus providing a wonderful standing dead-wood habitat
Y
Yew (Taxus baccata)
In addition to the several veteran Yew trees dotted around the cemetery, there are also some that were planted (in front of The Arch) more recently by Reading Tree Wardens and part of Reading’s Tree Strategy programme.
Yews are a classic churchyard tree as they are symbols of immortality, but also seen as omens of doom. Yew trees are known to have occupied ancient burial sites as far back as the Neolithic period. There is much speculation about the origin of yews in churchyards and it is believed that many pre-date predate Christianity and may thus indicate an earlier, pagan site of spiritual importance
Yew trees are naturally very slow-growing long lived trees and are one of the longest-lived native species in Europe. One of the oldest Yew trees in the UK is the Fortingall Yew in Scotland, which is estimated at somewhere between 2,000 and 9,000 years old.
In addition to the several veteran Yew trees dotted around the cemetery, there are also some that were planted (in front of The Arch) more recently by Reading Tree Wardens and part of Reading’s Tree Strategy programme.
Yews are a classic churchyard tree as they are symbols of immortality, but also seen as omens of doom. Yew trees are known to have occupied ancient burial sites as far back as the Neolithic period. There is much speculation about the origin of yews in churchyards and it is believed that many pre-date predate Christianity and may thus indicate an earlier, pagan site of spiritual importance
Yew trees are naturally very slow-growing long lived trees and are one of the longest-lived native species in Europe. One of the oldest Yew trees in the UK is the Fortingall Yew in Scotland, which is estimated at somewhere between 2,000 and 9,000 years old.
According to Caring for God’s Acre “there are about 800 ancient and veteran yews in the churchyards of England and Wales, three quarters of the British population. Internationally, Britain is a stronghold of veteran yew trees and so these churchyard yews are really important on a global level”.
Also, take a look at the Ancient Yew Group website for more information on how to find these timeless giants – they are well worth a visit!