Peel Park, Bradford

Sunday 15^th September 2019

Leader: Jesse Tregale

Grid Reference: SE 168 349

Weather: Cool, dry early autumn’s day. Max 15 degrees Celsius

The park has been the focal point of Bradford life for many years and people attending the field trip remembered “The Great West Riding Galas” held annually at Whitsuntide. Today that tradition continues with the annual Bradford Mela Festival, the largest in the UK.

The field meeting however was all about trees, and we were in for some real treats both native and introduced species.

For myself, as a southerner, it was good to see so many Hornbeams (Carpinus betulus) looking splendid covered in fruit. There were also final examples of Black Walnut (Juglans nigra) again in fruit.

I never knew that the Red Horse Chestnut (Aesculus carnea) had different “Conkers” without the large number of spines seen on the more common Horse Chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum).

There were several Narrow leaved Ash (Fraxinus angustifolia) and there was discussion if these too would be susceptible to Ash dieback, sadly now prevalent throughout Yorkshire including the Dales.

In the centre of the park there was a fine stand of Giant Fir (Abies grandis), close to where we stopped for tea and coffee at the volunteer run café (tea at just 50p, what a bargain!)

The large number of Whitebeam species (Sorbus spp.) also allowed for a teaching tutorial on the key differences for this the most complex of genera.

So all in all, an excellent day botanising, so thank you Jesse. I hope Geoff, no doubt looking down from above would be pleased.

Text & Photographs by Ian Brand