Wellington In Bloom revisits 'giant' 30ft trees planted in millennium

Nynehead Court in Wellington is one of the locations where two Wellingtonia saplings, also known as Sequoiadendron giganteum or Giant Redwoods, were planted in 2001 to mark the millennium.

Now 23 years later, the former Chair of Wellington in Bloom, Isabel Ward, paid a visit to see how much they'd grown. At 30ft, they're already on their way to becoming giants.

In 2001, Officials at Wellington in Bloom decided to plant a tree for each century. Because the trees could grow so tall, they were placed on the perimeter of the town so they could dominate the skyline.

In 2001, Isabel Ward with Alec Reed, former Head Gardener at Nynehead Court (left) and now (right) Isabel with current Head Gardener Justin Cole at the trees (Image: Nynehead Court)

Nynehead Court was a perfect location for this, alongside another care home, Wellington School, and several other notable locations.    

Nynehead Court’s current Head Gardener was an Assistant Gardener at the home at that time, and has strong memories of the trees’ arrival.

Justin Cole said: “We had been entering Wellington in Bloom and had always done very well, so the Chair Isabel Ward naturally thought of us to have two of these specimen trees to once again grace Wellington’s skyline for hundreds of years to come!

"Months beforehand we had been clearing and renovating the entrance with new pillars, and it was only right to plant the Wellingtonias in such a prime location.”

The Nynehead Court Estate offers retirement living for older people requiring residential, respite care, or close-care housing. It is set in 18 acres of parkland. 

For further information about Nynehead Court or its events, please call the Home Manager Joanne Fenn on 01823 662481 or email admin@nyneheadcourt.co.uk .