Two subtropical grapefruit trees planted in Battersea, south-west London, by Grenadian-born Marline Anderson in the 1980s have been granted interim protection by Wandsworth Council. The trees, a gift from Anderson's homeland, will remain as a memorial following her recent death, after a campaign by neighbours and friends.
Campaigners, including friend Vasilisa Ermakova and local chef Lior Berman, feared the trees could be removed because the flat belongs to the council. The deputy leader of Wandsworth Council, Kemi Akinola, announced on Thursday that the council had agreed to implement a protection order, with legal ramifications for anyone who removes them. The order is interim pending full approval after a 28-day consultation period.
The trees, often referred to in the singular but actually two planted close together, are thought to be among few of their species growing outside Kew Gardens in the UK. A plaque on the wall outside Anderson's former house bears her words: 'Kindly refrain from picking fruit from the tree. You are welcome to gather what nature has let fall.'
Berman, who uses the fruit to make marmalade, said the trees provide a connection to nature in the city. Akinola noted the trees are part of the heritage of the Windrush generation. Ermakova said the campaign was about preserving Anderson's memory, adding: 'If we can drive down here in 50 years and see the tree, then that will be quite phenomenal.'
