The book of trees /. compiled by Sir George Otto Trevelyan Bart, O.M. from 1891 to 1924 continued by Mary Katherine Trevelyan, wife of Sir Charles Trevelyan from 1935 to 1966 continued by Pauline Dower, daughter of Sir Charles Trevelyan from 1966. A record of trees on the Wallington Estate in the county of Northumberland.
Sir George Otto Trevelyan, 2nd Baronet, OM, MP (1838-1928)
Category
Manuscripts and documents
Date
c. 1935 - c. 1980
Materials
Measurements
25 x 20 cm
Place of origin
Cambo
Collection
Wallington, Northumberland
NT 3008725
Caption
For over 100 years, the Trevelyans kept detailed records of tree planting, growth and loss on their Wallington estate. Sir George Otto Trevelyan (1838-1928) first recorded statistics for over 300 trees in a notebook (NT 3008726), taking measurements annually from 1888 to 1924. After his death, these were copied into a second notebook by his daughter-in-law Mary (Molly) Trevelyan (1881-1966), who continued the measuring until the year she died, when her daughter Pauline (1905-88) took over. The notebook contains facts such as species and planting dates, which are still useful today in identifying trees and understanding the development of the estate. The locations are measured in paces from landmarks, rather like a treasure map. There are also more emotional and subjective views of the family's relationship with their land, including sadness at the loss of beloved trees in storms and accounts of family activities, such as reading in their shade. The book contains many photographs and drawings, some showing the family or their employees. This text is reproduced from 100 Books from the Libraries of the National Trust (2023) published through the National Trust's Cultural Heritage Publishing programme.
Summary
A notebook, begun by Mary Katherine Trevelyan and continued by her daughter Pauline Dower, which contains records copied from Sir George Otto Trevelyan's notebook of tree measurements on the Wallington estate from 1891-1924, supplemented by later measurements, photographs and drawings from 1935 to the 1980s.
Bibliographic description
[3], 58, [1] leaves. ill., photos ;. 26 cm. Manuscript. Leaves numbered on verso, initially in red ink, later in black or blue. Followed by ca. 60 blank leaves. Photographs pasted in from leaf 49 onwards. Drawing of a tree on leaf 50 by Phillis Bicknell. Loosely inserted at rear are 5 loose sheets: list of trees dated 6.12.83; girth of trees to Mrs Dower from G. Moon dated 4.11.77; note headed 'gone' of 2 trees, undated; list of trees on West Lawn, undated; account headed 'Storm and loss', undated. Binding: twentieth-century ruled notebook, quarter red morocco, green cloth sides; edges marbled blue.
Provenance
Previously on loan then purchased by the National Trust from the Trevelyan family
Makers and roles
Sir George Otto Trevelyan, 2nd Baronet, OM, MP (1838-1928), author Trevelyan, Mary Katharine, author Pauline Trevelyan, Mrs John Gordon Dower, OBE, CBE (1905 - 1988), author Phillis Bicknell (fl.1909-1933), artist
References
100 Books from the Libraries of the National Trust 2023