Theydon Bois - The Avenue of Trees

The Avenue of Trees

What is widely regarded as Theydon Bois' most iconic landmark is the 'Avenue of Trees' which lines Loughton Lane, one of its main roads. The oak trees were planted in the 1830s to, reputedly, celebrate the accession of Queen Victoria to the throne. Chairwoman of the City of London's Epping Forest Committee, Barbara Newman, said, “The Theydon avenue identified as the highest priority among the many other avenues of trees that the City of London currently looks after.”

A recent survey commissioned by the City of London, the responsible authority for the Green, found that four of the trees were required to be felled and others should be monitored. A 170 year history of inadequate management had led to the trees to become diseased, meaning that rapid death is likely ot occur in the next four to five years.

Although felling was accepted as necessary, there was local concern about the visual impact that this would have on the village. A new line of trees, therefore, were planted in late 2010, set back from the current row. The semi-mature replacements will eventually dominate the site, although the level of maturity observed by the original avenue will likely not be enjoyed by the current generation. The TBPC Chairman, Robert Glozier, said, “The Avenue of Trees is an intrinsic part of the Village. It has to be preserved not just for the short term but also the long term and the best way to do this is to have a parallel Avenue of Trees to take over”.

Some of the new trees have been sponsored as memorials, and details of these will be printed on an information board near the avenue.