Married life in tricketts Cottage - The garden 4

The Monkey Puzzle tree

The tree was a significant feature of the cottage and one which Malcolm respected. An old friend of his mother was an author and, having written a novel called The Monkey Puzzle Tree, asked Malcolm if she could use a picture of the tree for the cover of the book. As it happened, it was never used.

The tree as could be seen when approaching along Vicarage Road

The tree was a feature, not only of the garden, but the surrounding area. There had originally
been another standing alongside, the stump of which was still evident in the flower bed by the pond.

Unfortunately, the tree was felled by a later owner of the cottage. Apparently, the chainsaw hit
a metal bracket in the trunk which is thought may have been to support a sign when the building was
the Post Office in the early 1900's

Malcolm planted Heather around the base of the tree ...

... but it never fared very well

Bulbs were also planted which gave a good display in the spring