ed-in-sidmouth's Identifications

1151
Along with the Monterey Pine, the Monterey Cypress was a very popular tree in late Victorian times and there are many mature ones around the town. Unlike so many of them, this fine tree has been allowed to grow and not had its top cut back, compare it with the tree across the road.

1152
Monterey Cypress trees are very fast growing, they are one of the original parents of the Lelandii hedge hybrid, which was fine when they were being planted in large Victorian and Edwardian gardens. As the town has become more crowded many of these elegant giants have been topped out and pruned to keep them in check. Generally this spoils a potentially elegant tree, compare this strange specimen with tree 1151 across the road.

1153
A good example of this visitor from California. There are many examples around the town, planted in late Victorian and Edwardian times along with Monterey Pines (no relation) but many have been distorted by unsympathetic pruning because the Monterey Cypress grows quickly.

1154
A classic example of development overtaking mature trees. Planted about 100 years ago in the large garden of the Fortfield Hotel. The hotel was burned down and demolished some years ago and has been replaced by several blocks of apartments. The magnificent Monterey Cypress now has regular pruning to prevent interference with the buildings. This could have been avoided if the developers had chosen to give it space.

1155
It is good to see one of these visitors from California having room to grow without being topped out. Whoever planted it could perhaps have thought about how large the trunk would grow because it is now pushing the wall over.

1156
Bickwell Valleys status as a conservation area is partly because of the trees and this Monterey Cypress shows why. Unlike many specimens around the town, this one has the space to grow unhindered and so shows its natural shape.