2022 tree following 8: The edge of drought

Dry leaves fallen from the tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) in Cardiff’s Victoria Park

Hot town, summer in the city
Back of my neck getting dirty and gritty
Been down, isn’t it a pity
Doesn’t seem to be a shadow in the city
All around, people looking half-dead
Walking on the sidewalk, hotter than a match head
[The Lovin’ Spoonful – Summer in the City]

Last month we had a mini heatwave with temperatures in the 30s for a few days, but this time we are on the verge of drought, even here in South Wales, one of the wettest parts of the UK. The hot, cloudless weather has lasted about a fortnight and we are really hoping it will break with some welcome rain in the coming week.

It was exhausting walking the mile to visit Victoria Park to check up on the tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) on Friday. The place was full of families, with the loud squeals of children playing on the splash pad – such a good idea in this weather and all the water is recirculated. I don’t like to take pictures of children without permission so this is from the website of the creators of the splashpad…

One of the exciting features of the splashpad is a bucket that gradually fills and then upends over all the children. Click on the photo to go to the Ustigate Waterplay website

Here are my pictures of the tulip tree…

The tree casts welcome shade…

…someone had left their child’s colourful bicycle there

Top of the tree

Sunlight through leaves

The tulip tree is shedding leaves early to save on water consumption

One or two fruit heads are still visible

I was intrigued by this leaf with its black streaks

The tulip tree is close to the blue bandstand

I didn’t take many general photos of the park but the area around the old water fountain canopy looked very tropical

That’s it for now – let’s do it all again in September – and meanwhile my other tulip tree posts can be found here.