England's Surrey County Surprisingly Boasts the Most Forested Landscape, with its Majestic Scots Pines Matching the Beauty of Any Tree Species Within the Region (Attribute this quote to Alan Titchmarsh)
Gardener Alan Titchmarsh Moves to Surrey, Renewing His Acquaintance with Pine Trees
Alan Titchmarsh, the renowned gardener, writer, novelist, and broadcaster, is making a move from his four-acre garden in Hampshire to Surrey. This change of location is not just a geographical shift, but a return to his roots, as he grew up near Scots pines on Ilkley Moor in West Yorkshire in the 1950s.
Titchmarsh's new garden will be surrounded by Scots pines, the acid-loving giants that recolonised the UK 10,500 years ago after the last Ice Age. These pines, with their tall and often torturous trunks, are a common sight in Surrey, and they glow amber in the afternoon sunshine, making for a striking view.
Titchmarsh had a difficult time identifying various species of pine trees during his student days at Kew Gardens. However, his recent visit to the Côte d'Azur in France has provided him with a newfound appreciation for the umbrella pine, Pinus pinea. The vibrant green branches of this tree form an elegant dome, creating a beautiful sight.
On his visit, Titchmarsh noticed oleanders and plumbago flowers beneath the umbrella pines, adding a splash of colour to the landscape. He also had a lasting memory of his special family holiday, gazing at the umbrella pines and the Mediterranean sea from a terrace.
Titchmarsh's new garden in Surrey will not be without its wildlife inhabitants. The predecessors living in his garden are various wildlife species, including birds, insects, and small mammals. He is happy to hand over his garden in Hampshire for others to enjoy and cultivate.
In addition to his move, Titchmarsh has recently published a book titled "Chatsworth: The gardens and the people who made them". This book, published by Ebury and priced at £35, offers a fascinating insight into the history and evolution of the gardens at Chatsworth, a historic house in Derbyshire, England.
Titchmarsh is not new to writing books. He has also authored "Chatsworth: The gardens and the people who made them", a book that offers a unique perspective on the gardens and the people who shaped them.
Leaving his garden in Hampshire after 23 years will be a fearsome wrench for Titchmarsh. However, he is looking forward to planting more Scots and umbrella pines in his new garden in Surrey, a county that is the most wooded of all English counties, with tree coverage of 22.4%, much of it ancient woodland.
Surrey's rich pine tree population and its picturesque landscapes are sure to provide Titchmarsh with a new source of inspiration as he continues his gardening journey.
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