The Climbing Tree
Accompanied by ‘Among Roots and Branches’, composed for string quartet by Thomas Djonne, performed by Glisk
Silver Lime / Tilia Tomentosa
A haven for energetic children.
This lovely Silver Lime tree, which leans gracefully to one side in Maxwell Park on the Southside of Glasgow, has always been attractive to small tree climbers with its easily walkable sloping trunk and regular grab holds. Close enough to the ground to slip off into the arms of a parent but high enough to feel exciting, this tree gained a special place in local families’ hearts during the pandemic.
With park playgrounds chained shut and many of us living in flats with little or no garden space, this benevolent tree was a honeypot for local children and a blessing to parents and carers keen to give our cooped up little ones some outdoor play time.
I’ve gathered here a collection of memories from local parents who are fond of the tree.
“Just after the first really strict lockdown we ran into a friend and her kids there. The kids played on the tree together - that was their first contact with another family in such a long time. It was lovely.”
“Like everyone, we used the tree almost daily for climbing practice when all the climbing centres were closed. My little boy - not me - that is! I tried it once and chickened out half way up. We also had his 8th birthday party beside it, and we have some great photos of the tree standing proud and watching on as some feral children attacked a pinata hanging from its branches. If trees could talk!”
“I remember the kids were climbing as high as they could, jumping off, chatting whilst sitting on the big branch……..And having to wait your turn if other kids were already there. We would go straight there on arriving at the park to assess the waiting time. We still can’t go to Maxwell Park without the kids climbing up, even if it’s just to jump off immediately after and keep walking. The outing is not complete otherwise.”
“My memory is of trying to distract my daughter as she started reading something carved into the tree: Donald Trump is a……….”
“I was sitting on the tree with my girls one day when it was in full leaf, we were hidden away under there listening to everything in the park around us and there were bees buzzing all around the canopy. It was an amazing soundworld!”
Memories collected from Pollokshields parents: Berengere, Justine, Karen, Kirsty, Tara and Ruth.
Maxwell Park sits within West Pollokshields, a conservation area that includes a number of villas and other buildings that are listed or of general architectural interest. The Park was opened in 1890, to provide a green space for the recently built residences in the area. There are many lime trees in West Pollokshields - they line much of nearby Nithsdale Road - but none that bow so gracefully as this one.