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ProvidingNewsandViewsformorethan30yearsPage24ThequarterlymagazineispurchasableatJWalsh(Newsagents),GARDENINGMATTERSAs a horticulturalist and conservationist, I very much value the importance of well-establishedtreesandhedges,whethertheybenativeorintroducedspecies.WhenIfirstmovedtoHolmer Green I walked around and recorded many of the significant woody plants growing in gardens andpublicplaces.Oneofmyprojects,whichwasinspiredbyEricThickett,wastoidentifyallofthe trees and shrubs growing on and in the vicinity of The Common and this information was passed on toHolmer Green Village Society.The sketch map that I produced showing the names and positions ofthesetreescanbeviewedontheHGVSwebsite.Twoveryinterestingtreeshereareanuprightnarrow form of the Field Maple, Acer campestre %u2018William Caldwell,%u2019 [pictured here on the left] and a Japanese Crab Apple, Malus tschnoskii.Both of these trees will display fabulous autumn colour foliage when grown in a sunny situation.I still frequently walk around the village and observe the flora, carrying a notebook and often a camera, so that I can record any notable changes as regards to trees and shrubs that have for some reason been removed and also to note any new plantings.I amalways very saddened when I see that trees, shrubsand hedges have been removed, especially if the plants were the only specimens of that particular type to be found growing locally.On several occasions I haveknocked on doors to inform the residents of any unusual trees, shrubs or hedges growing in their gardens.The occupants often do not appreciate the role that these particular plants play in the diversity of woody plants growing in our village.I know that several hedges have been removed because they had grown too large and beeninfiltrated with other species over the years.One even had Japanese Knotweed growing in it which had been impossible to eliminate.Many hedges have been replaced by various types of fencing and Ican understand why this is the case.I am always pleased to see that plants and even borders of shrubsare plantedonthe gardensideofthe fence,andIloveto see themestablishing.Stuart King has kindly pointed out to me the significance of two small sections of very old hedges in Holmer Green.One is a very old section of a Hornbeam hedge close to the Scout Hut in Parish Piece, and the other being a mixed hedge on one side of the alleyway that leadsfrom NewPond Road, alongside the boundary of the Old OakPubintoPolidorisLane[picturedhereontheright].Ifyouhave roomtoplantevenasmallhedgeinyourgardenitwouldadd interest.Most importantly it would provide a vital link in the wildlife corridor creating a habitat that provides shelter for nesting and feeding, especially for birds, animals and beneficial insects.Trees often have to be removed if they are very old, particularlyif they have become diseased.Another reason for removal is that the tree has been planted in the wrong place.About a year ago, a beautiful specimen of the %u201cGolden Honey Locust Tree%u201d Gleditsia triacanthos %u2018Sunburst%u2019 was removed from a garden as it was in theway of a driveway extension.I showed my concern about this andwas so pleased that another specimen of this beautiful tree was planted close by before the driveway extension was carried out.Another tree that was removed from a local garden was a %u201cGoldenRainTree%u201dKoelreuteriapaniculatawhichhadtoberemoved because of a house extension.Many years ago, I planted a specimen of this tree in my daughter%u2019s garden in Hazlemere, and four yearsago I was presented with a seedling from this tree which I have since been potting on.So, I am pleased to say that there will be at least one specimen of the Golden Rain Tree in Holmer Green as Iam about to plant it in my front garden.It should be tall enough to view over the beech hedge surrounding my garden in a couple of years%u2019 time.InmynextarticleIwillsuggestanddescribetreesandhedgessuitableforgrowinginsmallgardens.Enjoyyourgardening,andIwishyouaveryJoyousChristmasandHappyNewYear.A suggested gift for the person %u2018who has got everything%u2019 is an annual membership to the HolmerGreen Village Produce Association, our local gardening club.Membership includes free garden advicefrom yours faithfully,BrianFisher