Countryside Management Service

Oakmere and Parkfield Tree Trail, Potters Bar

Route description

History of the parks

Oakmere and Parkfield have a combined area of 17 hectares, straddling the High Street in Potters Bar, and were acquired by the Potters Bar Urban District Council during the 1930s. Both of these have much to offer the local community, and contain interesting features such as wildlife habitats, picnic areas, lakes or water features, play areas, walks and public art.

Oakmere Park

Oakmere Park was once the private grounds of Oakmere House – it is now the Oakmere restaurant and Public House and provides a welcoming retreat with pleasing views across the park.

The classic 19th century layout of the park with lakes and specimen trees is still largely intact, although the grand entrance lodges and sweeping carriageway have been removed. In 1999 the main entrance was redesigned with new entrance gates and railings that promote the presence of the park.

The park has a lot of history. On the night of 1st October 1916 a Super Zeppelin was shot down over the park by Second Lieutenant WJ Tempest. The road that borders the park was named Tempest Avenue in his honour. The Zeppelin crashed onto an oak tree to the west of the park and the pilot and all of his crew were killed.

Events are a major feature of the park and are organised in conjunction with the Potters Bar Under Fives Group and Oakmere House Pub and Restaurant. Events include the Easter egg hunt, jazz at the pub, teddy bears picnic and learn to fish day. The notice board by the pub is regularly updated so watch out for new events.

The Potters Bar in Focus group is actively involved in the management and progress of the park. Oakmere Park received the prestigious Green Flag Award in 2002/2003 and 2003/2004.

Parkfield

On the other side of the High Street you have Parkfield which is a more natural open space, part of which is managed as a traditional hay meadow. It also contains the formal Japanese garden. The focal point is the Acer palmatum (Japanese Maple), a beautiful sight in Autumn. Nearby, a Roman kiln was discovered in the 1950s and an archaeological survey was carried out with local schools in 2002. An information panel with all the facts can be found close to the site.

Both parks contain over 1,000 trees in total. Oakmere has more introduced species as they were originally planted as part of the estate, and Parkfield has more native species.

The magic of trees

In this trail you are going to meet some of the gentle giants that have lived here for many many years. 'Native trees are trees that have grown in England since the Ice Age, over 12,000 years ago before the formation of the English Channel. A lot of the trees you see today were introduced by explorers to other countries who risked their lives to bring back some of the beautiful examples you will find in your own garden, local park and woodland. These trees are referred to as non native, or aliens. Each tree has an interesting story to tell….

Did you know?

• Native trees support a wider range of wildlife
• The majority of Britain used to be covered by broadleaved woodland with trees such as oak, beech and hornbeam.
• Trees are 'pollution eaters – absorbing the carbon dioxide in the air and producing oxygen.
• Tree roots help to prevent soil erosion such as on slopes and riverbanks.
• Trees suffer from stresses, just like us, and have to adapt in order to survive strains such as pollution and dry weather.
• Trees provide shade and protection for animals and for us as well. Where is the best place to sit on a hot summers day?
• Trees have provided shelter and food for us since the ancient times – from constructing houses and boats to providing fruit for the harvest.

All trees and plants have a 'Latin name – similar to a family name. this is so that its name can be recognised all around the world by gardeners, horticulturalists, and botanists. The 'common name can vary from country to country and from region to region – almost like a nick name.

Sunlight provides food for trees and plants.

Deciduous trees shed all their leaves annually in autumn and mark the changes of the seasons.

About the tree trail

The trail is designed to give an interesting insight into the many trees found in both parks. The trail should take about one hour to complete. Wheelchair access is limited in some areas of Parkfield due to its woodland setting or where some trees are away from the formal pathways. You are advised to wear suitable footwear in autumn and winter when the ground can get muddy!

Although the trees are numbered on the map, you can start the trail at either Oakmere or Parkfield. Each tree included on the trail is numbered and labelled on the tree trunk.

Oakmere House Pub and Restaurant

The Oakmere provides a welcoming retreat, offering pleasing views of the park. Why not finish off your trail with a cooling drink or a winter warmer? There is a varied menu to choose from offering mouth watering meals. The pub can also be hired for special events.

What is Watling Chase?

Watling Chase is a community forest project where local people and organisations are working together to create a more sustainable and vibrant environment. It extends over 72 square miles of southern Hertfordshire (including all of Hertsmere borough).

Community Forests are more than just trees. In Watling Chase the vision is for a rich mosaic of woodlands, farmland and green spaces, together with opportunities for recreation, nature conservation, employment and education. Delivery on the ground is through the Countryside Management Service and Groundwork Hertfordshire.

Meet the trees

We have selected the following trees for their special interest:

Wellingtonia
Latin name: Sequoiadendron giganteum
Origin: California

This evergreen conifer is also referred to as the 'Californian Big Tree and, as its name suggests, can grow to quite a height in its native home (over 110 metres) and can live for over 3,000 years. Here in the UK it can reach 45 metres. It has 'spire like form. The cones can take up to 2 years to mature. The scale like leaves have a strong aniseed smell when crushed. The bark is pinkish brown and develops ridges as it ages.

Sycamore
Latin name: Acer pseudoplatanus
Origin: Introduced

The Sycamore scatters yellow winged fruit in autumn, often called 'helicopters that can quickly set seed. It is said that the Tolpuddle Martyrs formed the first trade union underneath a Sycamore tree. The Sycamore can reach a height of 30 metres. The palmate leaves are dark and leathery and it produces clusters of yellow flowers in April. The wood has numerous uses, from violins to wooden spoons. The Sycamore is resistant to pollution. The tree of life statue nearby has been carved from a Sycamore trunk.

Atalas Cedar
Latin name: Cedrus atlantica
Origin: Algeria and Morocco

This cedar has ascending branches of attractive blue foliage with needle like leaves. It was introduced as an ornament in parks and gardens in Europe and North America. It attractive barrel-shaped cones that take 2-3 years to develop.

Alder
Latin name: Alnus glutinosa
Origin: Native

This is a water loving tree and grows along streams and riverbanks, creating shade for plants and fish. It is quite a small tree, growing to 21 metres, and can live for 150 years. The Alder produces small female cones that last throughout the winter, and has a display of dark yellow male catkins in March. The wood is used for whistles and pipes. The leaf buds are used as a purple colour dye. Charcoal from this tree was traditionally used in the making of gunpowder and copses of alder were planted near gun powder factories.

Scots Pine
Latin name: Pinus sylvestris
Origin: Native (Scotland)

This evergreen conifer can grow up to 35 metres tall. The Scots Pine could be found in the wild forests in Scotland over 2000 years ago and travellers had to risk passing through the wilderness where highwaymen and wolves lurked. The wood was used to build roofs and ships, and is still now used in forestry. The egg shaped cones can be used as kindling and the bark resin as antiseptic oil. It has attractive red flaky bark.

Maidenhair Tree
Latin name: Gingko Biloba
Origin: China

This is the oldest tree surviving in the world today and would have been grazed by dinosaurs over 350 million years ago! The imprint of the unique fan shaped leaf has been found in fossils. The Maidenhair has been known to live to over 1000 years old. The tree is used to the hot Asian summers and cannot survive exposed cold areas. It can grow to over 30 metres. The leaves appear in April, turning bright yellow in October before falling in November. Kew Gardens contains a specimen that is over 230 years old.

Field Maple
Latin name: Acer campestre
Origin: Native

This small tree has lobed leaves that give a colourful display. When the leaves are young they are bright red, as they mature they turn green. In the autumn they turn yellow and red. The winged fruits produced in sutumn provide food for small animals.

The field maple is grown in hedgerows and makes an excellent nesting site for birds. This group of field maples were planted to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Potters Bar in Focus group, friends of the park.

Wild Cherry
Latin name: Prunus avium
Origin: Native

This is a beautiful native woodland tree and can grow up to 30 metres. It has shiny red brown bark that peels and delicate white blossom appears in April – May just before the leaves. Bitter fruits (cherries) turn from yellow to dark red as the ripen, and are popular with birds, mice and squirrels. You will often find cherry stones around the base of the tree in late summer. The leaves turn fuery colours of yellow and crimson in autumn. The wood is used for making musical instruments and crafts.

Snakebark Maple
Latin name: Acer davidii
Origin: China

As the tree ages, it develops a beautiful smooth 'snakeskin bark with olive green and white stripes. It is quite a small tree, growing to a height of 15 metres and is used as a specimen in parks and gardens. Has small green flowers in spring followed by winged fruit. The tree puts on a colourful autumn display. The specimens in Oakmere are quite young examples and were planted in 1999.

Hawthorn
Latin name: Crataegus monogyna
Origin: Native

Be careful – this tree has very sharp thorns! The Hawthorn can reach 10 metres and forms an attractive umbrella shape in spring. It is often found in traditional hedgerows. Dark red berries provide food for many of our native and winter visiting birds. It has beautiful fragrant, white flowers known as May blossom that appear in spring. It is also known as the May Tree due to its ancient associations with May Day festivities (used as May Pole and May Day Garlands) and much superstition surrounds it. It is unlucky to bring Hawthorn flowers inside the home.

Common Lime
Latin name: Tilia x europea
Origin: Introduced

This tree provides colour all year round with fragrant clusters of yellow flowers in July and bright green heart shaped leaves. In winter, attractive, vibrant red buds appear ready to start the life cycle all over again. A distinctive feature of the lime are the 'suckers produced at the base of the trunk.

The English Yew
Latin name: Taxus baccata
Origin: Native

The Yew is the oldest living tree in Europe (the Fortingall Yew in Scotland is believed to be 3-5000 years old). It has sacred origins from Druid and Celtic times. It is often found in churchyards as churches were often established on these sacred sites. The Yew can reach 20 metres. The evergreen leaves were once used as palms for Palm Sunday. The smooth bark is purple/brown and peels as the tree ages. Both the leaves and bright red seeds are poisonous. It is used for topiary.

Cedar of Lebanon
Latin name: Cedrus libani
Origin: South west Asia

The Cedar is recognised by its flat, shelf like foliage. In Turkey, they can grow to over 1000 years old. However, the soil is richer in the UK so the tree grows too quickly (over 40 metres) and can become top heavy, at risk in storms. It is pollution resistant and has become a popular ornament in parks. The cones take two years to ripen and the foliage colour can vary from dark green to grey blue.

Silver Birch
Latin name: Betula pendula
Origin: Native

The Silver Birch is a slender elegant tree, reaching 30 metres, with ghostly white bark and develops 'warts as it ages. Its timber is used in making plywood and is popular amongst wood turners. Its wispy branches are used in making besom (witchs) broom heads. Its attractive yellow drooping catkins appear in Spring and oval bright green leaves follow, turning yellow in autumn.

Horse Chestnut
Latin name: Betula pendula
Origin: Balkan Peninsula

This is a magnificent spreading tree that can grow up to 35 metres and casts a welcoming shade in summer. The tree has big leaves, almost like fingers, and showy candle like flowers in May. It has sticky dark red buds in winter. Look out for horseshoe marks and 'nail holes on the branches around where the buds appear. The fruit is enclosed in leathery cases providing a popular autumn game – conkers. This is a popular tree in parks, avenues and is often seen on village greens. The wood is not very strong and is used for making small items such as toys.

Common Hornbeam
Latin name: Carpinus betulus
Origin: Native

The hornbeam is often found in hedgerows and woodlands and can reach a height of between 19-30 metres. Because it is such a hard wood its timber is used for mallets, skittles and moving parts in pianos. The tree flowers in March and the leaves turn bright yellow in autumn. The bark is pale grey stripped with brown. As the bark ages it becomes ridged. The leaves are sharply pointed with a serrated edge.

Japanese Maple
Latin name: Acer palmatum
Origin: Japan and Korea

This is a truly beautiful tree growing to 16 metres with a spreading habit. It is very eye catching in autumn with the reflections in the water. The leaves are palmate almost like the shape of the hand, with long delicate fingers. The leaves turn from green to purple to red. This tree was planted in the 1990s to enhance the Japanese Garden.

Holly (part of the Holly Walk)
Latin name: Ilex aquifolium
Origin: Native

The female tree produces the bright red berries that provide winter fuel for birds. To produce the berries, there must be a male holly nearby for pollen to be transferred by insects drawn to the smell of the flowers. The glossy dark green leaves are sharp and prickly. Higher up the tree the leaves are less prickly as it does not need to protect itself.

Many myths surround the holly. There is a superstitious belief that it is unlucky to cut a holly down as it has always been seen as a tree that would ward off evil. Nowadays we still use holly leaves and berries for Christmas decorations and wood for carving, sculpture and walking sticks.

English Oak
Latin name: Quercus robur
Origin: Native

The Oak supports the most variety of wildlife out of all the trees in Britain. It is often referred to as the 'Tree of Life. The Oak is one of the oldest trees in England and can live to over 1000 years and may reach an eventual height of 30 metres.

The acorn provides an abundant source for squirrels and jays that you will see rushing around in autumn burying their store ready for winter. Often these acorns are forgotten and young oak saplings start to appear.

Being of such an ancient origin, there are many myths that surround the tree: Merlins wand was made from oak, King Arthurs round table was made from one enormous slice of oak tree; Charles II hid in an oak tree following his defeat at the Battle of Worcester and this became the Royal Oak; couples used to be married under oak trees before the establishment of churches.

The Oak can be recognised by its spreading form and distinctive leaves.

Elder
Latin name: Sambucus nigra
Origin: Native

The Elder is common in open woods, hedgerows and on waste ground and can grow to 10 metres. Clusters of flowers appear in June followed by berries in August and September – these are edible and rich in vitamin c. the berries and flowers are used in jams, jellies and winemaking to produce a potent brew. The distinctive bark is grooved and corky.

Lombardy Poplar
Latin name: Populus nigra var.italica
Origin: Himalayas

This is a very easy tree to identify. It has a tall narrow shape with its branches pointing upwards. It can reach a height of 30 metres. The Lombardy Poplar is often found alongside roads in Continental Europe. Furry catkins appear in March-April before the triangular leaves. The Poplar is planted in parks or in rows to form a screen. Poplars can 'weep a sticky residue. This was thought to be linked to a Greek legend, representing the tears of the seven Heliades, the sisters of Phaeton, who was punished by Zeus.

Common Ash
Latin name: Fraxinus excelsior
Origin: Native

The ash is an important timber tree. The light coloured wood is strong and hard wearing and used in furniture and home interiors. Vikings used ash to make their boats and weapons. The tree can reach a height of between 30-40 metres and is common on damp soils. Tiny flowers appear in April with a purple tint. Winged fruits called 'keys develop in late summer and turn brown in autumn. It has distinctive black buds in winter.

Ornamental Pear
Latin name: Pyrus calleryana 'Chanticleer
Origin: Introduced

The Ornamental Pear is a tough, hardy tree that can reach a height of 12 metres. It has a conical shape. It has glossy green leaves that turn red/purple in autumn and brown fruits. It is a useful tree in exposed areas. It is a beautiful sight in spring when it forms a pillar of white flowers.

White Willow
Latin name: Salix alba
Origin: Native

The willow grows wild on riversides and can reach a height of 25 metres. Catkins appear in late April to May. The white appearance comes from the silky hairs on the leaves. The willow is a sacred tree – the term knocking on wood comes from knocking on the willow tree to do away with evil and bring good luck. The salicylic acid in the bark and leaves is a source of aspirin.

Corsican Pine
Latin name: Pinus nigra var. maritima
Origin: Corsica, Southern Italy and Sicily

Now one of Britains most important forestry trees due to its strong timber. It grows to 45 metres, with a slender narrow shape. It produces egg shaped yellow brown cones. The bark is nearly black and scaly. This Pine is often planted as shelterbelt to protect areas from strong winds.

Deodar
Latin name: Cedrus deodara
Origin: Himalayas

A quick growing conifer that can reach a height of 25 metres and is long lived. It is also known as the 'Himalayan Cedar. The long needles grow in a spiral and are grey green colour. This cedar has drooping lower branches.

Sweet Chestnut
Latin name: Castinea sativa
Origin: Southern Europe

The Sweet Chestnut was probably introduced by the Romans to bring us a harvest of nuts that can be roasted or ground for flour. It can grow to over 30 metres and is long lived. Cord like catkins appear at the end of June. The leaves turn bright yellow in autumn. The chestnuts develop in groups of 1-3 in yellow hairy cases and fall to the ground in autumn.

Copper Beech
Latin name: Fagus sylvatica purpurea
Origin: Europe

Young beech trees keep their leaves in winter putting on a russet display: you will often see it used in hedging. The beech has shallow roots but it can grow to a magnificent height of over 30 metres. The name comes from the Greek word 'fagein meaning 'eat as the nuts were used in pig fodder. The Cooper Beech has dark purple leaves that fade to green with a purple tinge before turning copper in autumn. The Beech can be identified by its sharp long leaf buds in winter.

The magic of wildlife

Imagine a park without birdsong….

From nest building to surviving winter, birds are just one of many animals that depend on trees for their food and home. Plants are an essential part of the food chain. Each park or even each tree has many different food chains.

Trees are able to use energy from sunlight to grow and produce new leaves. All of this plant material provides food and homes for a huge variety of wildlife. Tiny insects and fungi swarm throughout a tree but you can only see them if you get really close up. Larger animals such as squirrels make homes in the branches, whilst worms and beetles find food amongst the roots and soil, this amazing array of wildlife is known as biodiversity.

Native trees offer a wider variety of food than trees that have been introduced. They are like giant supermarkets that have all the basic foods, but also things of interest to all kinds of specialist groups.

New life from old

Dead wood, such as our wildlife tree is very important for biodiversity.

Standing and lying deadwood support different wildlife. The rare stag beetle is reliant upon standing deadwood, this tends to rot from the inside to the outside. This can start to happen while the tree is still alive. Many living ancient trees are hollow.

Laying deadwood rots from the outside into the middle. It becomes infested with specialist deadwood eaters such as woodlice and certain beetles.

What causes the rot? Fungus! Look out for their colourful fruiting bodies in the autumn.

Dead wood and rot can also be seen on living trees and create important habitat areas. Loose bark creates hollows for centipedes, click beetles and moths. These in turn provide food for bats and birds.

As with living trees, dead and dying native trees tend to support the widest range of insects and fungi. An old Oak tree can take a long time to decay, roviding a stable habitat for hundreds of years.

Management

Native woodlands have been managed by people for hundreds of years - the wood provided a crop, like farming but on a longer time scale. Woods provided valuable timber for house and ship building, along with firewood and other products. This changed in the middle of the 20th century. Woodland produce was expected to come from fast growing coniferous woodlands and traditional broad-leaved woodlands were no longer managed or were planted up with pine trees.

It has since been realised that woodland biodiversity depends on the management of our traditional woodlands. Woodland wildflowers need light to grow in. butterflies need small flowering plants to feed from. Trees need space to grow in. a managed woodland provides habitats for all sorts of wildlife, and creates a beautiful place for people to visit.

Some traditional management techniques:

Visit Furzefield Wood in Potters Bar to see the effects of coppicing. The trees are cut every 7-15 years in winter allowing the stumps to resprout an abundance of stems. These were used for charcoal making.

Thinning – taking out selected trees to let other trees grow on so they are not in competition for sunlight and space. More and more trees are being planted to provide green areas in towns and cities, thereby improving air quality and creating a pleasant environment. Woodland cover is actually on the increase in Hertfordshire!

Rights of Way symbols you might see

	Yellow arrows indicate footpaths for pedestrian use only
	Blue arrows indicate bridleways for horse riders, cyclists and pedestrian use only
	Red arrows indicate Byways Open to All Traffic (BOAT) for horse riders, cyclists and pedestrians and may be legally used by other wheeled vehicles
	Black arrows indicate Roads Used as Public Paths (RUPP) for horse riders, cyclists and pedestrians and may be legally used by other wheeled vehicles

More about Rights of Way

Maps

This map is based on Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Hertfordshire County Council 100019606 2004.

The Ordnance Survey mapping included within this web-site is provided by Hertfordshire County Council under licence from the Ordnance Survey in order to fulfill its public function to provide information relating to its activities, services and plans. Persons viewing this mapping should contact Ordnance Survey copyright for advice where they wish to license Ordnance survey mapping for their own use.

See the Ordnance Survey site for more information.

This is is one of a series of walks through the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) supported by the Chilterns Conference.

Please be considerate in the countryside - keep to footpaths, especially through crops, and leave farm gates as you find them.

You can join us or a local community group as a volunteer, carrying out practical activities such as coppicing, hedge laying, improvements to footpaths. More....

The Countryside Management Service (CMS) has been working with communities in Hertfordshire for 30 years, helping them to care for and enjoy the environment.