This Google Map shows where members of the Friends of Lewes Trees Committee have planted trees as part of the Lewes Urban Arboretum Project which began in 2014.
Click on the green tree symbols for photos, location, and details of the trees planted.
<<Click on any of the images below to enlarge them>>
November 2025 Convent Field: During November, the Trees Committee of Friends of Lewes planted 57 trees around the perimeter of Convent Field. They include 5 Quercus robur, (English Oak), 4 Quercus palustris, (Pin Oak), 3 Quercus ilex, (Holm Oak), 5 Tilia cordata, (Small-leaved Lime), 13 Sorbus thuringiaca Fastigiata, (Hybrid Whitebeam), one Acer platanoides, (Norway Maple), one Carpinus betulus, (Hornbeam), one Juglans regia, (Walnut), 13 Prunus padus, (Bird Cherry), one Zelkova serrata, (Chinese Elm), 4 Malus Evereste, (Crab Apple),.and 4 Crataegus x prunifolia Splendens, (Cockspurthorn).
This ambitious project was only possible because of the generous sponsorship and support from Lewes District Council, Lewes Town Council, Friends of Lewes, the Mosaic Project, Chalk Cliff Trust and Lewes residents.
26th January 2025, Stanley Turner Ground. The Trees Committee members and volunteers have planted six more trees at the Stanley Turner Ground. Four of them are Malus trilobata, (Lebanese Wild Apple), which has vibrant red leaves in Autumn and lovely white flowers in Spring. The other two trees are Alnus incana, (Grey or Speckled Alder), a very resilient tree with beautiful bark.
Saturday 30th November. The Lewes Urban Arboretum team planted eight more trees around Lewes today – that makes 253 that we’ve planted altogether since our first working party in 2014.
We started by planting three Acer campestre Elsrijk, (Field Maple), in Queen’s Road, then moved on to Monk’s Way, where we planted two Quercus robur, ( English Oak). A resident of Ferrers Road asked us to plant a replacement tree for one that had been felled a while ago, so we chose a Malus trilobata, (Lebanese Wild Apple), for outside her home – and she was very pleased indeed! A Prince Edward’s Road resident had asked us to consider planting a tree opposite the lovely Liquidambar that we had planted outside his home in 2021. He has taken such good care of this tree that we were keen to respond to his request by planting another Liquidambar. Last of all we went back to Houndean Rise. Because of the gas works there last year we had been unable to plant one of the Crataegus prunifolia trees, so we promised to come back and plant one this season.
It was lovely to talk with all the residents who came out to thank us for planting the trees! You made our day! The team today was Nick, Audrey, Duncan, Peter, Jill, Keith, and Matthew. Thanks to all of them for their patience and hard work!
Sunday 24th November. The Trees Committee planted 14 more trees in Malling. Four Parrotia persica, (Persian Ironwood), were planted near to Malling Stores in Malling Close. This tree has lovely coloured veins in its leaves in Autumn and the planting was inspired by a beautiful example we have seen growing in Malling Deanery Arboretum. Along from the stores, in The Martlets, we planted four Quercus palustris, (Pin Oak), which have deep red leaves in Autumn, and six Platanus orientalis “Minaret”, (Oriental Plane). In 2015 we planted a similar Plane tree next to the car park of Southover and Western Road Schools and it is growing very well. These non-native species were chosen for their climate resilience and to add some diversity in our tree population in the town. Our groups has now planted 69 different species of trees in Lewes.
November 2024, Prince Charles Road, Malling
We have begun the 2024/2025 tree-planting season by planting eleven native Hornbeam trees, (Carpinus betulus), in Prince Charles Road, Malling. They continue the line of gateway trees started with the ten disease resistant Elms we planted there last year and should provide a welcome landmark at the entrance to Lewes. These trees will provide food, habitat and valuable winter cover for a wide range of insects and invertebrates – and contribute further to our support of Lewes as a Swift-friendly town! Lewes – a Swift-friendly town! – Lewes Swift Supporters
Thank you to Lewes District Council for the planting permissions and service maps, and for the transport of several containers of water from LDC stores to water the trees in after all the dry weather we have had.
December 2023, Offham Road, and Brighton Road, Lewes
On Saturday 16th December, members of the Trees Committee planted seven trees beside Offham Road, near where the magnificent old Beech tree had to be felled. There are three Ulmus Lutece, (Elms), two Acer campestre, (Field Maple), and two Crataegus persimilis prunifolia, (Cockspurthorn). Thank you to East Sussex County Council for giving us planting permission. These trees are planted in memory of Paul Fouch and were sponsored by his family and friends.
Then, on 19th December, the Trees Committee met on at Brighton Road to plant five trees on the verge near the Hope in the Valley bus stop. The trees are three Ulmus Lutece, (Elms), and two Crataegus persimilis prunifolia, (Cockspurthorn).
Thank you again to East Sussex County Council for the planting permission. Thanks also to Trees Committee member Matthew of Bonny’s Wood for kindly sending a team to set up the barriers, lending their truck to bring the trees to the site, and then staying to help us to plant them.
Over November and December 2023 we have planted 51 trees altogether which brings the total number of street trees we have planted around Lewes since 2014 to 222.
Offham Road, and Brighton Road planting, December 2023
9 December 2023, Ham Lane
Another wet but enjoyable day for our fourth working party this season – in Ham Lane. We planted five Alnus glutinosa, (native Alders), and five Populus nigra, (Black Poplars), between the Scout Hut and the Cockshut.
At the same time, the 6th Lewes Beavers and Scouts were busy doing a great job of weeding and mulching their wildlife hedge of mixed native whips. Thank you very much to their parents and troop leaders for helping us to carry the trees and the mulch to where they were needed – and then sharing their soup with us!
Thanks again to Lewes District Council for the planting permission and to Matthew for all his patient work in CAT scanning each site.
The team members at Ham Lane were Nick, Peter, Chris, Jill, Keith, Duncan, Jamie and Audrey. Well done everyone!
Tree planting at Ham Lane, 9 December 2023: team photo, and Audrey with the 200th tree, a Poplar
Late November, and December 2023, Nevill, and Houndean
On Saturday 25th November, at the start of National Tree Week, the Arboretum team had a lovely day for planting ten more trees around Nevill Green. Six Ulmus Lutece, (Elms), have been planted on the other side of the hedge at the top of the bank alongside Nevill Road.
Near the play park area, there are now four new Crataegus persimilis prunifolia, (Cockspurthorn). One of them was sponsored by Lewes Footpaths Group in memory of the late John Vokins.
This completes the project we began in February 2023, when we planted nine other trees round the green. Thanks to all the team – and to Lewes District Council for the planting permission.
Crataegus, Crataegus berries, six elms
Saturday 2nd December 2023. Members of the Trees Committee planted five more trees in Houndean Rise and two in Southdown Avenue.
These trees complement the species planted there in 2018 and 2022: Liquidambar styraciflua Worplesdon, Acer campestre, Prunus Umeniko and Crataegus persimilis prunifolia.
Thank you to East Sussex CC for the planting permissions.
Trees Committee planting team, 2.12.23
November 2023, Southover School, and Malling
On Friday 17th November, members of the Trees Committee met with representatives of the Southover School’s eco-committee to plant a Sorbus thuringiaca fastigiata, (Hybrid Whitebeam), next to the infants’ playground. The school had contacted the Trees Committee because pupils were very sad to have lost the Walnut tree which had grown there. The replacement tree is a cross between a Rowan and a Whitebeam and we think it shows the best qualities of both! (Left image)
Last year, the much-loved Wheatley Elm at the corner of Prince Charles Road and Church Lane had to be felled because it had succumbed to Dutch Elm disease. When the Trees Committee planted the replacement Elm, (Ulmus Homestead), they noticed that there was space for more trees along the wide verge of Prince Charles Road. On Saturday 18th November they returned on a rather wet and windy day to plant ten more disease-resistant Elms, (Ulmus Lutece). This planting will help towards restoring the population of healthy Elms to East Sussex – and providing habitat for the rare White-letter Hairstreak Butterfly.
February 2023 – Nevill, and Glebe Close
On Thursday 9th February, the Trees Committee of Friends of Lewes completed their tree planting for the season, planting nine trees around Nevill Recreation Ground and one in Glebe Close.
The nine new Nevill trees are 3 x Pyrus calleryana Chanticleer, (ornamental Pear), 3 x Acer campestre Lienco, (Field Maple), and 3 x Sorbus intermedia Brouwers, (Whitebeam). Between them, they should give a lovely mix of blossom, berries and Autumn colour.
In Glebe Close, there is a large space where we were able to plant a magnificent Liriodendron tulipifera, (Tulip tree).
The Trees Committee members planting 2 X ornamental Pear, a Field Maple, and a Whitebeam in Nevill, plus a Tulip Tree in Glebe Close
That’s a total of 45 street trees planted around Lewes this season – well done!
December 2022 – Winterbourne, Cranedown, Houndean Rise and Newton Road
As the snow began to thaw later in December, the Trees Committee of Friends of Lewes continued this season’s programme of planting 45 street trees around Lewes.
On the Winterbourne triangle (below, left), at the junction of Winterbourne Lane and Bell Lane, you are now welcomed by a Liquidambar styraciflua Worplesdon, sponsored by the Inner Wheel Club of Lewes as their contribution to the Queen’s Green Canopy. This tree has beautiful red leaves in Autumn.
In Houndean Rise (above, right), two lovely Acer campestre Elsrijk, (Field Maples), with an attractive “candelabra” shape, have been planted to replace two felled trees.
In Cranedown (below, left), a row of Cherry trees has been extended with a Pyrus calleryana Chanticleer, an Ornamental Pear which has early blossom and holds on to its leaves until late in the year.
Last of all they braved some wintry rain to plant a Sorbus intermedia Brouwers, (Whitebeam), in Newton Road (above, right). This tree was sponsored by the Newton Road residents using funds raised during their Jubilee celebrations in the summer.
December 2022 – Ferrers Road, The Wallands
During National Tree Week, 26 November to 4 December, members of the Trees Committee planted seven more trees in Ferrers Road in response to requests from the residents living there. The varieties chosen were Crataegus persimilis Splendens, (Hawthorn), Malus Rudolph, (Crab Apple), Acer campestre Lienco, (Field Maple), and Cercis siliquastrum, (Judas Tree). They will all grow into relatively small trees and provide a variety of blossom and fruits.
November/December 2022 – Saxonbury House
Members of the Trees Committee spent a happy morning at Saxonbury House with Jo from Lewes District Council to plant 46 whips to start off their wildlife hedge. The whips included Hazel, Oak, Dogwood, Dog Rose, Rowan, Silver Birch, Crab Apple and Hawthorn.
At the beginning of December, we returned to plant a Liquidambar styraciflua Worplesdon as a specimen tree at the end of the wildflower meadow which we sowed there earlier in the year.
Planting a hedge, and a new Liquidambar, at Saxonbury House
20 November 2022 – Twelve Street Trees for Malling
Our Trees Committee began the 2022 tree planting season with a splendid day in Malling on Sunday 20th November, planting twelve street trees on the verges and open spaces.
We started in Fitzgerald Road by planting three Sorbus intermedia Brouwers, (Whitebeam), and two Alnus incana, (Alder), on the green, then an Amelanchier lamarckii, (Juneberry), and a Cercis siliquastrum, (Judas tree), on the wide verge nearby. Round the corner in Queen’s Road, we planted a Liriodendron tulipifera, (Tulip tree), then moved on to Barn Road to plant an Acer campestre Lienco, (Field Maple), a Malus baccata “Street Parade”, (Crab Apple), and a Pyrus calleryana “Chanticleer” (ornamental Pear).
The team, on the green
Last of all we went to Prince Charles Road to plant a new Elm as a replacement for the marvellous Wheatley Elm which had to be felled there recently because of Dutch Elm Disease. The replacement Elm is an Ulmus “Homestead”, which is a hardy variety with very good resistance to Dutch Elm Disease and fungal infections. We have recently had the welcome news that all twelve trees will be funded by a donation from the Rotary Club of Lewes as their contribution to the Queen’s Green Canopy.
Our plans for the next few weeks include planting 33 more trees in the Wallands, Winterbourne and Landport areas. We are very grateful to the Lewes District Council and ESCC officers who gave us planting permissions, supplied the service maps of underground utilities, and generously included us in their Local Authorities Treescapes Fund grant – which will pay for 20 of the 45 trees we are planting this season!
February/April 2022 – Turkish Hazels in Jubilee Gardens, St. Pancras Gardens and Timberyard Lane
In February 2022, the Trees Committee were unexpectedly given eight mature Turkish Hazel trees, (Corylus colurna), to plant on Lewes District Council land. The donor wished for no publicity but said that he appreciates the vision of the Lewes Urban Arboretum Project – Lewes as a “town in the trees”!
In February, we planted four of them in Jubilee Gardens, where we planted the wildlife hedge in 2021, and two more were planted in St. Pancras Gardens (left). The final two were planted next to the children’s playground in Timberyard Lane to give shade and shelter – responding to a suggestion from a Lewes resident who visited our stall at the 2021 Planet Party.
If you wonder what the Turkish Hazels will look when they have grown, there is a fine example outside Waterstone’s Bookshop in the pedestrian precinct.
January 2022 – a wildlife hedge around the grounds of Western Road and Southover Schools
In January 2022, members of the Friends of Lewes Trees Committee helped pupils of Western Road and Southover Schools, aged four to eleven years, to plant 550 mixed native tree whips on their shared playing fields to make a wildlife hedge. This was response to a request from the children in May 2021 via the “Big Ask” organised by Green United, (a Lewes-based environmental organisation which supports schoolchildren in taking action to make the world a better and more sustainable place).
After several meetings with pupils and staff from both Western Road and Southover Schools, we initially had the idea of creating a wildlife hedge between the school field and the car park, to hide the cars and to increase biodiversity on the school grounds. When this developed into the idea of each of the 550 children and staff planting a whip to make a double hedgerow, we continued the hedge around 120 metres of the playing field, choosing species that would provide food and shelter for insects, birds, and small mammals.
With the help of parents to prepare the ground, we were ready to begin planting at the end of January 2022. Members of the Trees Committee explained how to plant the whip so that it would grow well and were ready to help break the ground on the chalky patches.
The native species chosen were a mix of Common Buckthorn, Blackthorn, Dog Rose, Field Maple, Guelder Rose, Hawthorn, Hazel, Wayfaring Tree, Common Dogwood, and Beech. After the three planting days with the children, members of the Trees Committee returned to the school to plant another 100 whips as a small copse and a mature Field Maple, funded by the Trees Committee.
Tree Committee members with little whips
It was a wonderful project that was a real privilege to be involved with, not only for the valuable increase of food and habitat for a range of wildlife, but also for the opportunity to work with such committed teachers and enthusiastic children and parents.
November 2021 – Planting street trees in the Wallands area
We now have 31 more street trees in Lewes!
Over three working parties in November, 12 hard-working members of our Trees Committee planted 10 trees in King Henry’s Road, 13 in Gundreda Road and 8 in Prince Edwards Road. Funding for the trees was met through a successful grant application to Sussex Community Foundation for £4,500, kind donations and bequests from residents, and a generous donation from Sparks Property.
The trees were carefully chosen for longevity and resilience in our changing climate and they include: Tulip trees, (Liriodendron tulipifera), Japanese Pagoda trees, (Sophora japonica), Hop Hornbeam, (Ostrya carpinifolia), Chinese Elm, (Zelkova serrata), Cockspurthorn, (Crataegus x prunifolia), Field Maple, (Acer campestre “Louisa Red Shine”), Nettle tree, (Celtis australis), Sweet Gum, (Liquidambar styraciflua Worplesdon), and Maidenhair tree, (Ginkgo biloba).
Thank you to all the co-operative residents who have promised to look after the trees if they need watering during prolonged dry spells – and who kept us going with cups of tea on the planting days!
This brings the total of surviving trees that we have planted since 2014 to 112! We have a long list of suggestions for planting sites in 2022 – but we would be interested to hear of any other ideas from Lewes residents.
Planting trees in the Wallands, November 2021: a Sophora, Celtis, Tulip Tree, and an Acer.
February 2021 – Planting wildlife hedge at Jubilee Gardens, Juggs Road
At the beginning of February 2021, members of Friends of Lewes Trees Committee helped to plant a new wildlife hedge alongside the fence at Jubilee Gardens Open Space, off Juggs Road, Lewes. The 200 whips used are all native trees and include Field Maple, Hornbeam, Spindle, Blackthorn, Downy Birch, Silver Birch, Pedunculate Oak, Hawthorn, Dog Rose and Hazel.
The trees were funded through a “Beelines” grant from South Downs National Park Trust as part of their campaign to create new wildlife corridors to link habitats and make it easier for pollinators to flourish. The project was another successful collaboration between Lewes Urban Arboretum and Lewes District Council and we are grateful for the support of Chris Bibb, LDC Specialist Adviser, and Jan Knowlson, SDNP Ranger. Thanks also to Matthew Stuart of Bonny’s Wood, for delivering the mulch for the hedge.
Hedge planting at Jubilee Gardens, Lewes [Map]
January 2021 – Planting wildlife hedges at Lewes Cemetery
In January this year we planted over 200 whips (small trees), in the grounds of Lewes Cemetery to make two wildlife hedges along the bottom wall and fence near to the Winterbourne. The trees include Alder, Blackthorn, Alder Buckthorn, Guelder Rose, Hawthorn, Hazel, Hornbeam, Dog Rose, Rowan, Spindle, Willow and Field Maple. Together with the 27 trees that we planted there in November 2020, and the Elm which we planted earlier in January this year, they will help to make sure that there is a long flowering season for the many pollinators recorded at the Cemetery.
The work was completed over three mornings by small family pairs of volunteers as part of the Lewes District Council and Lewes Urban Arboretum project to further increase the biodiversity of this important Local Wildlife Site. Our plans to involve more volunteers had to be changed because of the current Covid-safety regulations but the whips needed to be planted as soon as possible before they came out of their Winter dormancy.
We had intended to pay for the hedge whips ourselves, but thanks to collaboration with Chris Bibb of Lewes District Council, and Jan Knowlson of the South Downs National Park, it has been fully funded by a successful application for a “Beelines” grant from South Downs National Park Trust.
Hedge planting at Lewes Cemetery, January 2021. Click image to enlarge
January 2021 – New Year: “New Horizon”
The Trees Committee made a positive start to the new year with the planting of a new Elm tree, Ulmus “New Horizon”, at Lewes Cemetery on January 15th. The tree was awarded to us by the Tree Council as the result of a successful application for one of the thirty trees they wished to donate to Tree Wardens to celebrate thirty years of their Tree Wardens Scheme. In our application we explained the nature conservation value of Lewes Cemetery, which is designated as a “Local Wildlife Site”. It provides a good habitat for a wide range of pollinators, and the rare Long-Tailed Blue Butterfly, Long-horned Nomad Bee and Brown-banded Carder Bee were all recorded there in 2020. Elms are the sole food plant of White-letter Hairstreak butterflies and this species has suffered as a result of Dutch Elm Disease.
The Ulmus “New Horizon” was introduced in 1957 by Eugene Smalley, who was determined to “put a smile on the landscape” by creating disease-resistant Elms that could tolerate the harshest of conditions. The tree is said to be 100% immune to disease and able to grow despite drought and floods. It is the same variety as the four lovely Elms which we planted on St. Anne’s Hill as a joint project with ESCC in 2017-2019.
Our tree is planted at the top end of the Cemetery, just inside the gate nearest to the Winterbourne Hollow entrance. We are very grateful to Lewes District Council, especially Chris Bibb, LDC Specialist Adviser, for their permission and support in planting this tree – and the twenty-seven other trees which we planted at the Cemetery in November.
Planting the disease-resistant Elm, Ulmus “New Horizon” at Lewes Cemetery
November 2020 – Thirty mature trees planted in Lewes
This November members of the Trees Committee of Friends have made a fantastic start to the tree-planting season by planting thirty mature trees in Lewes!
On Sunday 1st November we planted nineteen trees in Lewes Cemetery: four Grey Alder, four Swedish Whitebeam, three Cut-leaf Beech, an English Holly, a Copper Beech, a Judas tree, two Field Maples and three Irish Yews. We had a great team and the willing helpers included neighbours James Power and Juliette Mitchell from Rotten Row and the family of Chris Bibb, who is an active member of the Trees Committee. Careful siting of the new trees will increase biodiversity without compromising the chalk grassland recovery on the areas of the Cemetery left unmown for wildflowers.
On Wednesday 4th November, in a second working party organised at short notice once the new lockdown restrictions had become apparent, we planted a further eight trees: three small-leaved Lime, three Amelanchier and two Hybrid Larch. To celebrate that this was a collaborative project between Friends of Lewes and LDC, we invited several councillors to join us and were pleased to welcome Councillors Adrian Ross, Imogen Makepeace and Matt Bird. They all took an active part in digging, planting and staking the trees, as the photographs on our Facebook page, “Lewes Urban Arboretum”, will show you!
Planting Copper Beech, Holly, Irish Yews, and Larch at Lewes Cemetery.
The trees were chosen for the interest they would add to the landscape and for their resilience to chalky soil conditions and climate change. Some of us have taken part in Wildflower Lewes surveys of the Cemetery over the Spring and Summer and observed a wide range of butterflies and bees there, including Long-tailed Blue, Wall Brown and Adonis Blue butterflies! The rare Brown-banded Carder Bee, Bombus humilis, and the Long-horned Nomad Bee, Nomada hirtipes, were also recorded at the Cemetery by James Power last June. Knowing this, we considered how our tree planting might add to the food available for pollinators throughout the year. With the addition of the mixed native hedgerow that we plan to plant along the wall near the Winterbourne stream before the end of the year, the trees selected should provide a long season of flowering from February to October.
On Saturday 7th November, a small group of us met at Mount Harry Road to plant a Grey Alder and a native Crab Apple on the grass rectangle there – a project that had to be postponed from March. Last of all, we went back to Prince Edwards Road where we planted a Whitebeam to replace the Hawthorn which we had planted in November 2019 and which had suffered from fire blight.
Planting Whitebeam at Prince Edwards Road; Grey Alder, and Crab Apple at Mount Harry Road
A new Elm for Lewes!
Back in September, Tree Wardens were invited to apply for one of thirty trees offered by the Tree Council to celebrate thirty years of their Tree Warden Scheme.
Our application was successful, and we will be taking delivery of a DED-resistant Elm, Ulmus “New Horizon” in January, to be planted at Lewes Cemetery. This is the same sort of Elm as the four we planted on St. Anne’s Hill, in collaboration with ESCC. It was developed by a Professor Eugene Smalley who began in 1957 with a determination to develop 100% DED-resistant Elms to “put a smile on the landscape”, to reflect his philosophy of smiling through hard or difficult times. It is believed that Ulmus “New Horizon” is the answer to providing mature Elms for the future and it is also key to the survival of the endangered White-letter Hairstreak butterfly.
Tree planting in 2019
Seven street trees planted for National Tree Week
Vert Wood Elms
Lewes Street Elms Project – update
Read more…
Tree planting in 2018
Mount Harry Stores, and Houndean Rise
Lewes Street Elms Project
Houndean Rise
Read more…
Tree planting in 2017
Abergavenny Road revisited
Read more…
Tree planting in 2016
Middle Way, Valence Road, Abergavenny Road, South Downs Road
Read more…
Tree planting in 2015
Malling Industrial Estate
Southover School
Southover and Western Road Schools
Lewes street tree survey
Read more…
Friends of Lewes 