Greening Wymondham

This Whitebeam provides us with a green oasis in the centre of Wymondham, contrasting well with the historic Market Cross.  Thought to have been planted around 1990 at the time of the Market Cross refurbishment, it creates a sense of community. People meet, sit and chat beneath its boughs in all weathers, sheltering from sun, wind and rain. It brings wildlife into the centre of town with birds nesting in its branches and eating the berries, insects pollinating its flowers and moth caterpillars feeding on its leaves.

The Whitebeam is recognised by the pale hairy underside of its leaves, white flowers in spring and red berries in autumn.  It is tolerant of atmospheric pollution, dry conditions and poor soil, making it a resilient town tree.  However, these conditions can be seen to be restricting growth in our other Whitebeam tree, in the triangular junction at the bottom of Town Green. Keep an eye out for it later in the trail, as you will pass it en route.