Listen up, Londoners, because I come bearing some rather tree-mendous news. A large leafy grapefruit tree over in south-west London has just been issued a Tree Preservation Orderfollowing a campaign led my local residents. The beloved tree in question is thought to be one of the only grapefruit trees in the country. And it comes with a backstory that is sure to warm even the iciest of hearts.
The story begins with a woman named Marline Andersonwho moved to Battersea from Grenada in the 1980s, bringing with her a teeny-tiny grapefruit sapling as a reminder of home. Marline planted said sapling in her front garden, and it flourished into a gorgeous grapefruit tree, that now stands at around 30-feet high on Queenstown Road.
Marline sadly passed away in June, leaving her legacy in the form of the grapefruit tree. Being her pride and joy, Marline had asked for her ashes to be scattered beneath the tree, which continues to thrive and bear fruit all year round. But concerns were raised amongst her neighbours regarding the future of the tree.
As the flat in which Marline resided (and to which the tree is attached) belongs to Wandsworth Councilthere’s a chance that future residents or developers may wish to remove the grapefruit tree. Marline’s friend and neighbour, Lior Bermancontacted the council to seek out an order to preserve the tree – and this week, that order was granted.
Wandsworth Council carried out a Tree Evaluation Method for Tree Preservation to confirm whether or not the order could be approved. The council verified that the tree was indeed eligible for a Tree Preservation Order, which means that Marline’s much-loved tree cannot be cut-down, lopped, topped, uprooted, or destroyed without permission. A plaque has been put up next to the tree in Marline’s memory, it explains how ‘her essence lives on in its roots’. I’m not crying, you are…
Kemi AkinnolaDeputy Leader of Wandsworth Council, said: “We were very pleased to grant the Tree Preservation Order and ensure that this beloved local landmark stands for generations to come. Marline was much-loved by her neighbours and we’re proud to have listened to the wishes of the community.
“In our year as London Borough of Cultureit’s great to recognise the contribution that people of African and Caribbean heritage have made to Wandsworth.”
