May Sisters’ Challenge; mulberry. Old and New

This is a tough one. There is only one mulberry tree we know of within about 100 mile radius. I decide to be gallant; “after you, my dear”. The alternative is to set the alarm clock for 5.00am, sneak off, capture, then publish and be dammed. All before herself has brushed the sleep from her eyes.

This tree is a good few hundred years old. It sits next to the Faculty of Maths and Computing at the Open University. The OU campus, established in 1969, is located on the site of the much older Walton Hall Estate. The original settlement, Waletone (Walton) is mentioned in the Doomsday Book.

This tree has many tales to tell; it’s probably the last of the trees dating from the time of Walton Hall Estate. In February of this year, a magnificent Cedar of Lebanon from that period, succumbed to gale force winds and is sadly no more.

This tree looks heroic - defiant even - stood on crutches, as new buildings rise up around it. The Grounds Staff have worked hard to keep it alive. I don’t think they want to let it go that easily.

See Anniemay for close-up shots.