We have had to keep this quiet for some time but can now share the delightful news that our beautiful espalier pear tree which grows across the wall in our stunning walled garden, is a world record-breaking plant.
It was verified by Guinness World Records on 5 September 2019 and holds the title of the ‘longest espaliered plant’ in the world at 16.44 m (53 ft 11 in).
On Sunday 19th March, The Worshipful The Mayor of Romsey, Councillor Alan Dowden, and Mayoress Councillor Celia Dowden visited the gardens to celebrate our Guinness World Records recognition to launch our 230th anniversary year.
You will find our Champion espaliered pear tree ‘Beurre Diel’ in our fantastic walled kitchen garden. Home to a heritage orchard with many historic apple and pear trees that were grown over a hundred years ago and bearing fruit that you will no longer find in your local supermarket.
Champion Tree ‘Beurre Diel’ was initially crowned in 2019 as a Champion Tree by The Tree Register, for being the widest espaliered Pear Tree in Britain (16.44m/53.93’), and is now a record holder for the longest in the world.
Sadly, we are not sure exactly how old it is, but we think to have gained its great length it must be at least 100 years old, or maybe even one of the trees mentioned in an advert for the sale of the house back in 1801 (The Times) which states “Kitchen gardens stocked with excellent fruit trees’.
Celebrating Champion Trees
Our glorious pear tree is not the only recognised tree in the gardens. The Tree Register also discovered an Acer Cappadocicum ‘Aureum’ (Golden Cappadocian Maple), found in the plantings behind the summer house, which at 15m x 182cm at 0.7m has been awarded the Hampshire County champion for height and girth. The Register also identified the lovely Gingko in the yard by the house as being the 4th tallest in Hampshire.
Come and see our GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title holder!
We invite you to come and visit the gardens and see our record-breaking espaliered pear tree; the gardens officially open for the season on 1st April.
