This sycamore standing right on Hobson’s Conduit, the canalised river built in 1610 to bring fresh water into the City, is one of the Garden’s finest trees and looks spectacular in its lions mane of autumn foliage, doubly so when reflected in the still waters of the Conduit – a fabulous advertisement for the autumn colours within!
The sycamore is a hardy tree abundant all over Britain. Opinions diverge as to when it was introduced, varying from Roman times to as late as 17th century, and it is also possible that some highland trees are native.