Planting in the Park - rare trees grown by Linda Gray from seeds - Sorbus domestica

Linda finishing with compost

Giles digging a good sized hole for the second tree

Well in position! Bravo

The ancient Sorb tree (or Whitty Pear to give it its local name) is a native of Europe and was not known to grow wild in this country, except for one single tree which grew in the Wyre Forest. The origin of this tree has been a matter of speculation for generations and was first mentioned by Edward Pitt, an Alderman of Worcestershire, in 1678. This tree came to a sad end, being burnt down by a poacher with a grudge in 1862. To perpetuate the memory of this ancient tree, a keen arboriculturist, Mr Robert Woodward of Arley Castle, managed to raise a young sapling and planted it in the same spot on 30th March 1916. 

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