St Paul's Churchyard Garden

Near the entrance beside a red telephone box is an unusual Oak tree, a fastigiated Oak, a taller columnar tree which was planted in dedication to Mahatma Ghandi. It is known as the Friendship Tree. 

The restored railings marking the entrance to the churchyard are an example of early cast iron work. Made in Lamberhurst, Kent they were hated by Wren. They are now Grade 1 listed.

The gardens were designed by Edward Milner in 1879. Many trees were chosen for their biblical connections. St Paul's Churchyard is the oldest planted space in the City.

In the shrub borders and grounds can be found: 

Japanese Bitter Orange tree, with fallen fruits

    

A Strawberry tree with reddish bark and fruit which resembles a small strawberry 

A Persian Ironwood tree, unusual in its branch structure as it splits and then joins together. The wood is very strong.

The City's only Giant Douglas Fir tree, with aromatic needles.

A Katsura (or Candyfloss tree as its blossom suggests), the wood from this Japanese tree is used to make geisha girl shoes.

A Dinosaur tree which can be traced back 270 million years ago to the time of the dinosaurs (aka Ginko biloba) which does not harbour any pests nor have any diseases. Only male trees are favoured, as the fruit from the female tree falls to the ground and has a rotten smell.

Ginkgo trees are very hardy; six trees planted near the 1945 Hiroshima atomic bomb are amongst the few living things to survive the blast and are still alive today! 

Note to self: get photos and find out about other trees, including the Ginko or Dinosaur tree.