New Zealand Memorial Longueval

[old-ted]

Hi to all Pals,

just a note to let you know that the trees around the New Zealand Memorial on the Switch Line at Longueval are all but gone. I suspect that within a day or two the memorial will be treeless. I'll try to get a photo in the next few days.

Regards

John

[Herekawe]

Hi

I am happy about that. Last time I was there I thought they were too big and blocked the views from the monument which after all is part of what made it such an important spot. Plus I hate what I call Leyton Greens which from memory is what I think the trees were. On that ridge I think either leave the monument bare or plant a few NZ native trees perhaps - they are all evergreens but could be made much shorter and less dense.

Did have the advantage of being easily spotted on photos at long distance however.

Get rid of them at Messines as well.

James

[Paul Reed]

Hope it doesn't add to the weathering of the memorial, as the trees sheltered it from the worst of a Somme winter in many ways.

[old-ted]

Hope it doesn't add to the weathering of the memorial, as the trees sheltered it from the worst of a Somme winter in many ways.

That was my only worry when I saw the trees coming down. I'll keep the forum informed if they plant anything in their place.

Regards

John

[trenchtrotter]

Plus they have sheltered me on many a walk. Keeps the worst of the elements from you when having a cuppa. Also home to many Firecrests and Finches.

TT

[old-ted]

T.T.

When walking the Switch Line in November any cover is a bonus. When walking the switch line on a hot summers day shade is a delight. When walking the switch line at any time we realise how dificult it was for the lads advancing over that open ground.

Too foggy to take a photo today, perhaps tomorrow.

Regards to all.

John

[Frank_East]

I would think that removal of large trees around the memorial is related to the possibility of root damage by the trees.Cut back the height of a tree and its root system will adapt to the new height.

A tree with its growth unchecked will result in its root system expanding to meet its continual search for moisture,leading to the risk of the memorial foundations being penitrated and damaged.

[auchonvillerssomme]

I wonder if the original design incorporated trees? Certainly the view of the Ulster Tower has improved no end since they removed the trees.

A few years ago I got lost in fog up there while field walking which is a lot easier than you would think (well it was for me).

[old-ted]

Hope this link works. British Pathe news of the unveiling.

MEMORIAL TO 7000 DIGGERS (aka TO THE MEMORY OF 7,000 DIGGERS...

Regards

John

[Seadog]

Paul Reed makes a very valid comment and I hope there was a good reason to destroy the trees. Imagine how bare this scene would be if these were cut down.

Norman

[Herekawe]

I wonder if the original design incorporated trees? Certainly the view of the Ulster Tower has improved no end since they removed the trees.

A few years ago I got lost in fog up there while field walking which is a lot easier than you would think (well it was for me).

Hi

Somewhere I have an artists impression from the time of how the memorial was planned to look. It was in fact the centre of a round about with roads going off in different directions. The roads were never built but the memorial stayed where it was on a bit of a back road. Very frustrating when I know the picture is in my bookcase somewhere. Because it was a roundabout I don't think there were any trees.

James

[Herekawe]

Hi

Somewhere I have an artists impression from the time of how the memorial was planned to look. It was in fact the centre of a round about with roads going off in different directions. The roads were never built but the memorial stayed where it was on a bit of a back road. Very frustrating when I know the picture is in my bookcase somewhere. Because it was a roundabout I don't think there were any trees.

James

Here it is in Ian McGibbons New Zealand Battlefield and Memorials of the Western Front.

Of course the road to the memorial road is now sealed.

All those extra roads would have ruined this part of the battlefield IMHO.

James

[old-ted]

Well done James.

Thats a great photo/artists impression & answers the question posed in post 8.

Regards & thanks for posting.

John

[AndyMacdonald]

That was my only worry when I saw the trees coming down. I'll keep the forum informed if they plant anything in their place.

Regards

John

As I recall, the trees were planted with a purpose at or near the time of the memorial's building/unveiling.

Andy M