A Fine Selection Whilst Hunting Shaun The Sheep

Me and Nathalie went off to Bristol to take part in the wonderful Shaun In The City the other weekend and as we drove through London towards the M4 we came across this interesting Monkey Puzzle tree on Goldhawk Road. I went back to take some photos after we returned and was delighted to see not just the rose bush climbing the trunk but 2 gnomes attempting to ascend the trunk too!

Goldhawk Road (W7)

When we arrived in Bristol we headed to a park to spot a Shaun only to be presented with this cute little tree in the road running parallel to our destination.

Bristol Maple Road (BS28)

Later on our quest to spot Shaun The Sheep we were queuing to cross the wonderful Clifton suspension bridge when Nathalie noticed this huge tree on our right.

Bristol Suspension Bridge (BS29)

As we were leaving the Clifton area we came across this massive tree in one of the richest roads in the area.

Bristol Clifton Down (BS30)

Incidentally me and Nat managed to spot all 70 Shauns in Bristol which added tot he 50 in London meant we had completed the whole thing!

Like spotting Monkey Puzzles, I'm pretty obsessed with spotting Shaun The Sheep!

Monkey Puzzle Trees Seen - 66      Monkey Puzzle Trees Yet To See - 15

Making A Wrong Turn Gets Another Monkey Puzzle Tree!

On our way home from Brighton the other week we missed our turning and was directed by Google maps' navigator around some back streets to get back on track. Luckily for me this route happened to include this wonderful example of a Monkey Puzzle Tree!

Leatherhead's surprise Monkey Puzzle Tree (KT3)

Monkey Puzzle Trees Seen - 62      Monkey Puzzle Trees Yet To See - 15

Not Sure If These Count Or Not.....

When I started out on my quest I pondered the question of which Monkey Puzzle trees I should count as part of my running total - here. I was quite clear that trees found in Garden centres and nurseries would not be part of my total as they were not yet planted and would only count once 'out in the wild'.

However, last weekend whilst me and Nathalie were tracking down as many Shaun the Sheep of the wonderful Shaun In The City as possible we came across this bizarre sight!

4 Trees In A Very Small Display

11 More Trees In A Very Small Display

There were in total 15 small Monkey Puzzle trees in the three planters, which if the owner wants them to develop into mature trees is obviously ridiculous. However, if they simply intend them as short term curiosity plants then I guess they will last for a while before their cramped conditions cause them all to perish. So my new dilemma is do these poor trees count in my quest or should I treat them the same as garden centre trees? On the one hand they are 'out in the wild' but on the other they are more like ornaments than planted Monkey Puzzle trees.

I have decided to seek advice from Sarah over at the Monkey Map, as she has so much experience when it comes to cataloguing Monkey Puzzles her opinion really counts.

Monkey Puzzle Trees Seen - 61      Monkey Puzzle Trees Yet To See - 15

Another For Ruislip

After the trauma of the Ruislip tree which had been decapitated it was nice to find another tree in a much better condition not too far from it's 'cousin'.

A Ruislip Tree Being Treated Properly! (HA2)

Monkey Puzzle Trees Seen - 61      Monkey Puzzle Trees Yet To See - 15

5 Of South London's Finest

Having been made aware of a number of Monkey Puzzle trees by twoof the Monkey Maps agents in South London I spent an afternoon visiting five new trees for me. The first tree even has its own Twitter account!

Nelson Square - South London's Finest (SE10)

Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Gardens (SE2)

Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Gardens' Plaque (SE2)

Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Gardens (SE3)

Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Gardens (SE2 & SE3)

Brick Layers Arms Roundabout (SE11)

Brunel Museum (SE12)

Brunel Museum (SE12)

Monkey Puzzle Trees Seen - 60      Monkey Puzzle Trees Yet To See - 15

A Couple More Trees In Enfield Seen

Having spent a night in Enfield with a couple of friends on a Friday evening I decided that on the following Saturday I'd take a walk to Capel Manor where Nathalie teaches as they were having an open day and I'd never actually visited their Enfield site. The walk was amazing as it followed parts of the old New River, which was used to bring fresh water to the City of London many moons ago. As I was making my way merrily along a country lane I suddenly realise that on my left peaking out from behind a wall was a large Monkey Puzzle tree!

Myddelton House's Monkey Puzzle Tree (EN4) That's Situated In The 'Lunatic Asylum'

Looking up the road I realised that the tree was part of Myddelton House's Gardens, which are open to the public for free! The Monkey Puzzle is located in the part of the garden called the 'Lunatic Asylum' as all the trees and plants planted there are in some way a bit bizarre.

Myddelton House Tree's Top

Having spent a bit of time looking around the Gardens I headed off to Capel Manor to meet Nathalie. The gardens at Capel are very varied with different styles and 'types' of garden being on display to the public, one of which was a Chelsea winner that was revitalised by none other than Nathalie a few years ago! None of the staff at Capel were sure if there were any Monkey Puzzle trees in the grounds but I decided to keep my eye out for one just in case as I explored the grounds. Funnily enough it wasn't till I was heading back to see Nathalie after having given up seeing any Monkey Puzzles that I suddenly came across one 'hidden' by an encroaching neighbour

Is That A Monkey Puzzle Tree?

Yes It Is! (EN3)

Monkey Puzzle Trees Seen - 55      Monkey Puzzle Trees Yet To See - 15