Trees
at Barrow Hospital
The ancient woodland adjacent to Wild Country Lane was chosen in 1934
as the site for Bristol’s new psychiatric hospital, and building was completed
in 1937. Although it was requisitioned as a naval hospital in the Second World
War, it reverted to its planned 
function in 1947. When it was built, it was realized that the hospital
site would benefit from close attention to landscaping, probably to compensate
for the somewhat uninspiring and utilitarian buildings necessitated by the
economic situation of the time. The early history of the hospital is recorded
by Dr M.G. Barker in ‘Barrow Hospital - 50 Years of Caring’.
The hospital was built amidst almost impenetrable
ancient woodland, countryside in which man’s intervention had been minimal,
probably ever since the last ice age. Even now, these woods contain carpets of
Bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) and Early Purple Orchids (Orchis
mascula) in the spring, together with many other strange and rare plants,
like the Bee Orchid (Ophrys apifera), with flowers which are good
imitations of that insect, and Herb Paris (Paris quadrifolia), with its
leaves in the shape of a cross surrounding the large black berry, a plant which
is characteristic of ancient woodland. Another unusual plant that grows well
(and appropriately!) in this woodland is the so-called Common Valerian (Valeriana
officinalis), well known as a herbal sedative.
The gardener at that time obviously put much thought
into his choice of the species and the positions of the trees that he planted.
These are now 60 to 70 years old, and although they cannot be termed ancient,
they are approaching a certain maturity and stature that ensures the beauty of
the landscape.
Approaching the hospital from the entrance in Wild
Country Lane is a magnificent Weeping Willow (Salix chrysocoma),
while to the left in the avenue leading to Woodside is a line of substantial
Beech trees (Fagus sylvatica) that in dry seasons tend to wilt rather
easily as they are on the top of the bank above the Long Ashton Bypass. Due to
its shallow rooting system, Beech is likely to be one of the first casualties
of global warming. Close to the Main Reception building is a good collection of
smaller trees and shrubs, including a Gum Tree (Eucalyptus gunnii)
and a Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo). Further along, towards East Villa
are fine specimens of Lawson Cypress (var erecta viridis), while at
Southside are Box 
Elder (Acer negundo), Snowy Mespil (Amelanchier ovalis)
and Honey Locust (Gleditsia triacanthos). The avenue leading past
the Villas is planted with hybrid Black Poplar (Populus candicans cv Aurora),
a tree that is rather susceptible to bacterial canker (Xanthomonas populi).
Another bacterial disease, due to Pseudomonas syringae causes
deformations on the trunks of some of the Ash trees growing here.
There are two yew trees (Taxus baccata) near
to Dundry villa. Compounds found in the yew (taxols) are now used in the
successful treatment of many forms of previously intractable malignancies,
notably ovarian cancer. Leaves from the English Yew Tree can be processed to
extract precursors of these cytotoxic drugs that prevent the depolymerization
of tubulin, thus inhibiting cell division.
On the open ground opposite John Cary House is an
Indian Bean Tree (Catalpa bignonioides), and close by is one of
several Dawn Redwoods (Metasequoia glyptostroboides) on the site.
This species was discovered growing in the wild only in the 1940s and
introduced to the UK in 1948. Close to Brockley House is a Maidenhair Tree (Ginkgo
biloba), with its unusual leaves apparently virtually unchanged in form
from those of its ancestors found in the coal measures. This tree contains
compounds (ginkgolides) that 
appear to improve circulation and may alleviate some of the symptoms of
Alzheimer’s disease. A
collection of Snake Bark Maples is also found in this area, including Acer
cappadocicum, Acer pensylvanicum (sic) and Acer rufinerve.
The avenue leading back to the main entrance is
lined with some very unusual trees, notably the Katsura (Cercidiphyllum
japonicum) and with shrubs (for example Kolkwitzia amabilis). There
are many forms of Lawsons Cypress (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana) trees on
the site, together with similar conifers like Thuja plicata and Thuja
occidentalis.
Anyone
with an interest in trees, either for their aesthetic value or for their scientific
value, would be well rewarded by a tour of these trees, which have doubtless
contributed to the well-being of those patients who have been treated in the
hospital. The trees cited in this account represent only a few of those present
in the Barrow grounds. It is to be hoped that all of these trees will be
preserved for the appreciation of future generations.
Terry Smith Nailsea
and
Tony Titchen Portishead