A CHAMPION PEAR

The widest pear tree in Britain has been recorded at Houghton Lodge Gardens in Hampshire. Houghton’s kitchen garden has a selection of historic apple and pear trees, many of which were grown more than 100 years ago. One of the trees, a Pyrus communis ‘Beurré Diel’ espalier, spans the west-facing wall and is a whopping 16.33m wide. The gardeners at Houghton always knew it was special, but now it’s been recognised by the Champion Tree Register as the widest of its species in Britain. The Champion Tree Register has also recognised the garden’s Acer cappadocicum ‘Aureum’ as the new Hampshire County Champion for height and girth. houghtonlodge.co.uk

Tiny Tiggy-Winkles