Swanage - Victoria Avenue (Dorset)

Concentration was focused on finding a convenient parking place on the outskirts of Swanage and several places were considered. Finally, after deciding on one, a look to the left and we were suddenly aware that we had parked right next to this tree! An amazing coincidence and it could so easily have been missed as it is the only Giant Redwood we found in the town. The structure of this tree looks a little unusual for a Redwood, there are three broad branches/trunks (not sure how they should be described), emerging from the base in addition to the main trunks. It will be interesting to see what happens to these over time, whatever happens though the tree looks to be in excellent health with magnificent lush foliage. The town of Swanage is a superb place to visit, with a beautifully maintained sea-front, marvellous coast walks to the top and along the cliffs with plenty to see. Also there is the steam railway line that terminates in Swanage (definitely worth a trip with your camera), and the famous Globe built in 1887. This is worth every step of the steep walk even with the long detour that was in place in September 2011 during the restoration of Durlston Castle.

Steam train about to pass under the bridge at Herston Halt

The seafront viewed from the war memorial

The Globe stands inside Durlston Country Park overlooking the sea. Click on the left hand photograph for a closer look.

Common Names and Latin Name	Latitude and Longitude		OS National Grid	Elevation (above sea-level)	Height	Girth	Date Measured
	WGS84	OSGB36
Giant Redwood Sequoiadendron giganteum	N50.61305 W1.96723	N50.61248 W1.96587	SZ 02414 79262	19ft (5.79m)	10.1m	2.58m	Sep 2011
Girth was measured at 1.5 metres from ground