Record Drought Is Killing England's Historic Gardens

England's historic gardens and parks are facing an existential threat from record-breaking drought and climate change: centuries-old trees are withering, and lawns have burned to a straw-like yellow. That's according to gardeners at some of the country's grandest historic estates, including Kensington Palace — the London residence of Prince William and Princess Kate — and Hampton Court.

Head gardeners say visitors have been understanding about the parched lawns, since they, too, are living under water restrictions. Far more worrying is the long-term damage: trees that have stood for decades are now drooping, and by August many were already showing browned leaves from the excessive heat.

Oaks, Limes and Elms Are Dying

"Historic gardens really are on the front line of climate change," said Drew Bennellick, head of land, sea and nature policy at the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Head gardener at Hampton Court and Kensington Palace, Dillamore, said some mature trees simply won't recover: "They've given up. It's over for them."

At Chiswick House in west London, whose Kent-style park has been graced by statues and Lebanese cedars since the 18th century, trees are also being lost. According to head gardener Rosie Fyles, who is responsible for some 1,800 trees, the species suffering most are precisely those associated with the classic English landscape — oaks, maples, birches and limes. "I think there's a limit to how much stress they can still take," she said.

Watering mature trees is virtually impossible, gardeners admit. "There's only so much we can do," Fyles said. She added that they now need to think ahead about which tree species will even be able to survive under future climate conditions.

Survey Finds Losses of Up to 80% of Trees

A survey of historic garden staff conducted by the National Lottery Heritage Fund found that damage isn't caused by summer drought alone — severe storms and excessive winter rainfall are also fuelling the spread of fungal diseases. "We've seen sites lose 80% of their tree canopy," Bennellick said, adding that the changes are happening very fast.

Climate models from experts at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, project that by 2090, 50% of native tree species will be at risk of dying out. "Historic gardens need to be protected and preserved. But in the coming years they'll have to change — or we'll lose them," Dillamore warns, noting that the solution will require some very difficult trade-offs.

Betting on Mediterranean Plants

According to Bennellick, some gardeners are already switching to Mediterranean plants capable of withstanding drought. At Hampton Court, for instance, landscape designer Ann-Marie Powell has created experimental flower beds with heat-resistant perennials, including species native to the southern United States. Planted in April with no automatic irrigation, they're holding up remarkably well.

Dillamore is pleased with the results of the experiment: "The gardens tell the story of Hampton Court just as much as the palace itself, so I can't simply roll up this garden and move it elsewhere. We need to preserve the atmosphere and spirit of this place."

Source: ekolist.cz