A fascinating specimen in Aberdare Park.

From the Wikipedia encyclopaedia, the tree is described as an “evergreen tree growing to 40 m tall and 2 m trunk diameter. Because of species’ great age it is sometimes described as a living fossil. Araucaria araucana is the national tree of Chile.

The leaves are thick, tough and scale-like, triangular, 3-4 cm long, 1-3 cm broad at the base, and with razor-sharp edges and tip. They persist for 10-15 years or more, so cover most of the tree except for the older branches…

It is a popular garden tree, planted for its unusual effect of the thick, ‘reptilian’ branches with a very symmetrical appearance….

The origin of the popular English name Monkey-puzzle derives from its early cultivation in Britain in about 1850, when the species was still very rare in gardens and not widely known. The proud owner of a young specimen at Pencarrow garden near Bodmin in Cornwall was showing it to a group of friends, and one made the remark “It would puzzle a monkey to climb that”; as the species had no existing popular name, first ‘monkey-puzzler’, then ‘monkey-puzzle’ stuck (Mitchell 1996).

Click on the Thumbnail image for a larger photo

Have you seen the Green Elephant in Aberdare Park ?

Click on the photo for a larger version.

It is located roughly in the centre of Aberdare Park. Enter the Park via the gates opposite the Comin School, head north and it’s on your left.

It looks like a weeping taxus, but until we can find out what variety of tree it is, we shall dub it “the Green Elephant tree”.

Rwy’n mwynhau gwres yr Haul

a Llygad y Dydd

ym mis Mai

ym Mharc Aberdar.

Y tu hwnt i’r waliau

clywaf Byd Dynol Aberdar

yn rasio ceir a pheiriannau

yn rhy brysur i werthfawrogi

yr hyn sydd ar gael

yn rhad ac am ddim…

yn nhawelwch y dydd.

Photo taken on April 1st 2008, around 7 pm.

Are we being obsessed by the blossom and trees at Aberdare Park ? No, not really.

We are learning to enjoy and appreciate the here and the now of this little nature reserve on our doorstep.

The more time we spend time through the seasons in Aberdare Park, the more life we discover…

At the moment the scene is very grey and sombre, in stark contrast to the remainder of the park, now coming back into leaf and colour with splashes of daffodils, crocuses, and tulip.

The image on the left shows two photos stuck together. On the leftmost part, today’s sombre scene, on April 1st 2008. On the right, is the same area in a photo taken on May 9th 2006. Click on the photo for a larger version.

There are more photos in the Gallery : the April Prelude here; and the May blossom here.

The symphony of pink blossom reverberates around Trecynon. At the north end of Cemetery Road, Trecynon this week, opposite the Llwyncelyn Pub, three Japanese Cherry (Prunus serrulata) trees were in full bloom.Here are the photos we caught on March 19th 2008 …

The blossom was particularly short-lived this year. The fickle weather conspired against us.

Last night, the wind blew like a hurricane and today we have had stormy and blustery weather, with hailstones.

Despite the weather, it’s well worth taking a de-tour along Trecynon if you are heading north to Hirwaun from Aberdare. There are other specimens of Japanese Cherry that will flower later, including those above Broniestyn Terrace.

In the bright spring sunshine you might need to wear sunglasses there is a such a glow…

But don’t get carried away and bring the deck-chairs and sun-cream. Instead wellies might be more appropriate.

Although the temperatures are rising and things are budding and blooming into life, it’s still frosty cold in some nights.

At the beginning of the week, we had a cold snap. The Council’s road-gritting team could be seen travelling through Gadlys and Trecynon, gritting the roads near Aberdare Park.

It could still snow!

On Cemetery Road, Trecynon, the Japanese Cherry (Prunus serrulata) trees begin to open into blossom.

There are Japanese Cherry Trees at the north entrance of Aberdare Park, in Park Lane Trecynon, as well as many trees along Cemetery Road, two near Broniestyn Terrace, Trecynon and some in Aberdare Town itself.

The blossoming of these various trees will occur over several weeks, and each tree will only blossom for a few brief days. As we noted previously, the Japanese go to parks, shrines and temples and hold flower viewing parties known as hanami. Hanami festivals celebrate the beauty of sakura, and for many, it is a chance to relax and enjoy the beautiful view.

Keep your eyes open and enjoy the spring symphony in Aberdare …

According to RCT Council, the elderly Leylandii conifers have been shedding branches across busy Cemetery Road, adjacent to the park.

They will be replaced later this year with a mixture of trees which will have brightly-coloured spring flowers, summer berries and vibrant shades in the autumn. These trees will attract wildlife and enhance the overall landscape of the park.

Staff from Rhondda Cynon Taf Parks division will begin removing the conifers in early March.

The Aberdarian delegation were keen to tread carefully near Caerphilly Castle, home to a much larger population of Canada Geese and other wild fowl.

Caerphilly Castle is one of the largest fortresses of its type in Europe and was built around 1268.

The local population of wild birds enjoy a spectacular backdrop and are very proud of their own brand of Silly Walks.