Canterbury in Kent, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)
The Plane Tree
Photographed by Ray Gurganus, March 29, 2025
1. The Plane Tree Marker
Canterbury is home to a striking variety of plane tree, easy to spot due to its impressively wide trunk. Commonly known by the nickname of the 'baobab' plane, after its resemblance to the African trees of that name, they are noted for shedding strips of bark, helping to fend off the effects of pollution.
Seven of these unusual trees are known in the city, with at least three of them being planted in the early 1800's by local botanist and landscape designer William Masters. Interestingly, when marked on a map the locations of the trees form the shape of a cross.
Tree locations: Canterbury Castle, Old Dover Road, Beer Cart Lane, Westgate Gardens, Canterbury Cathedral, and two trees at St Gregory's Church.
This area of the Cathedral grounds is known as the Oaks. A bill detailing the expense of planting the oaks in 1663 is held in the Cathedral's archives. It lists the purchasing of the trees digging of holes, paying the gardener and three entries "for drinking money".
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Horticulture & Forestry.
Location. 51° 16.767′ N, 1° 5.068′ E. Marker is in Canterbury, England, in Kent. It is on The Precincts.
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Regionally, this marker is in the Greater South East. Globally, it is in the Atlantic Ocean, in the North Atlantic Region, in Europe, in Atlantic Europe, on one of the British Isles, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Buffs (here, next to this marker); George Robert Canning (within shouting distance of this marker); The Canterbury War Horse (within shouting distance of this marker); Kent World War I Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); The Infirmary Ruins (within shouting distance of this marker); The Water Tower Garden (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); The Thomas Ingoldsby (about 120 meters away); Burgate (about 150 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Canterbury.
Photographed by Ray Gurganus, March 29, 2025
2. The Plane Tree
Credits. This page was last revised on July 28, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 28, 2025, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 96 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 28, 2025, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
