The Japanese Pagoda Tree
The Japanese Pagoda Tree (looking north)
This is Exwick's famous Japanese Pagoda Tree, which is in the garden of 205 Exwick Road just opposite the fish and chip shop. Everyone in Exwick will know of this huge tree, which spans right across Exwick Road and nearly every September litters the road with its blossom, although not everyone knows what it is.
Back in September 1998 The Exeter Express & Echo asked readers if they could help identify the tree and after a few weeks and with the help of various experts they finally decided that it was Sophora Japonica, commonly known as a Japanese Pagoda Tree. Why they didn't ask the owner as I did, I can't imagine.
Earlier that year, when I asked the lady who lived there at the time (Mrs Nicholls) what it was, she told me that it was a Japanese Pagoda tree which had been planted as a seed by her son (who had spent some time abroad) back in the 1940's.
The Japanese Pagoda Tree (looking south)
The Express & Echo on September 26th 1998 quoted Devon County Council's forester and tree officer of the time, saying "It's in very fine condition. There's a little bit of dead in the upper crown, but it's obviously very vigourous and in just about perfect condition." Another tree expert, Michael Hickson of the National Trust's plant conservation programme was quoted in the same article as saying "It might be the largest in England. The one in the record book is in Syon Park in London but I think this one is bigger. I think it's a most marvellous tree."
I think it's a marvellous tree as well, but I'm sure that if Mr Nicholls knew how big it was going to get he wouldn't have planted it quite so near to the road.