A pair of subtropical grapefruit trees in Battersea, south-west London, have been saved from potential removal after a successful campaign by local residents. The trees were planted in the 1980s by Marline Anderson, who brought them from her homeland of Grenada. Anderson died recently, and the trees will now serve as a memorial to her.
The campaign, led by friends and neighbours including Vasilisa Ermakova and chef Lior Berman, sought legal protection for the trees. They feared that because the property belongs to Wandsworth Council, the trees could be removed. On Thursday, deputy council leader Kemi Akinola announced that an interim protection order has been implemented, with full approval expected after a 28-day consultation period.
The trees are thought to be among the few of their species growing outside Kew Gardens in the UK. A plaque outside Anderson's former home reads: 'A gift from her homeland, Grenada. It bears fruit year-round, her essence lives on in its roots.' Berman, who uses the fruit to make marmalade, said the trees provide a vital connection to nature in the city.
Ermakova described Anderson as a central figure in the community, saying 'everybody calls her Mum'. She expressed bittersweet happiness at the protection, noting that Anderson would have loved to see it. 'If we can drive down here in 50 years and see the tree, then that will be quite phenomenal,' she added.
