A Havering park has been featured on BBC News after a scientific study into giant redwood trees found they are thriving in the UK.

The trees in Havering Country Park were part of a sample of nearly 5,000 studied for their growth by researchers whose study was published in Royal Society journal Open Science, according to a BBC report.

They were also featured on BBC Breakfast and Radio 4's Today programme.

The BBC report said scientists found that the giant redwoods in the UK, including the ones in Havering, were growing at a similar rate as their natives in California but they remained shorter in height.

The trees, also known as sequoiadendron giganteum, are some of the biggest in the world and the BBC story said they can live for more than 2,000 years.

Romford Recorder: The Giant Redwoods in Havering were among the trees scanned by researchers to study their dimensionsThe Giant Redwoods in Havering were among the trees scanned by researchers to study their dimensions (Image: Havering Council)

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How did these giant redwoods find their way to Havering?

Havering Council told the Recorder that after the Royal Palace in Havering was abandoned in 1630 and fell into ruin by 1816, the McIntosh family bought the manor from the crown.

The family then laid out the 250-acre park and were known to have planted the trees leading to their new Italianate house on the site of the old palace.

The trees today, the council said, are ideally situated away from housing allowing them to grow with minimal impact on any properties.

Romford Recorder: The trees were featured in BBC reportsThe trees were featured in BBC reports (Image: Havering Council)

Vehicles are kept away to prevent the compaction of the roots and soils which can be highly damaging to the trees, it added.

The council further said that in a nearby field a further 18 giant redwoods have been planted with grant funding from the Forestry Commission.

There are other sites in the borough which are being looked into as future giant redwood planting locations.

The council’s parks department and tree team are tasked with ensuring the right trees are planted in environments that are right for them.

Referring to the BBC coverage, council leader Ray Morgon said it is great to see the recent media interest in the giant redwood trees at Havering Country Park.

He said: “We are fortunate in Havering to have so much natural beauty and green space for us to enjoy, and I hope residents and visitors are encouraged to explore our borough."