Late the other night we drove along Southend sea front and noted that there were a number of workmen out working late. We wondered what they were doing.

Yesterday, I was back and it seems that one of the things they've done is to plant lots of new trees. Not any old trees though, but palm trees. These trees aren't native to England, so it makes me wonder why they chose them. Is it an uncharacteristic piece of forward planning in preparation for global warming (though if the Gulf Stream disappears as some models suggest, we'll get Baltic style weather rather than Mediterranean style; perhaps hardy pines would be more appropriate)? Or perhaps the council is trying to kid people that the weather here is warmer than it really is (to be fair it is the driest in the country)?

Either way, it has split opinion in our house. Lin says she likes them, whereas I'd rather see native trees that would benefit the insects more. I'd rather reserve the palm trees for when I go somewhere genuinely warm on holiday. That said, our weather has been better since the trees were planted - long may that continue.

Very nice shot with empty car parking. Hmmm... very interesting question... and psychological suggestion... Here in Tuscan islands an English botanic arrived in the last century and planted Eucalyptus. I totally disagree for the same reasons: they are not native and I'm quite doubtful that except koalas some other Italian animal can eat those leaves ;-) anyway I could be wrong... ????? · 2010-04-10: 19:21

P.S. I was told that in touristic Egyptian villages the palms now are made of plastic and at night they can be lit up (simply disgusting in my opinion). I should ask Monika if that's true. ????? · 2010-04-10: 19:23

I agree with you Jon, I'm not too clued up about what grows better by the coast, but some birch would be lovely :-) ????? · 2010-04-10: 20:37

Whether you like the tree selection or not, it's a good idea to agree with Lin!!!! lgnelson · 2010-04-10: 22:06

my first thought when I saw this was "Palm trees in England?" :) Excellent pic though, great comp. thebronzebow · 2010-04-11: 02:56

It's certainly not my idea of England - looks more like home :-) I wonder if they will survive the winter? jet28 · 2010-04-11: 03:31

Very odd. You expect to see the odd palm in the south west where they benefit more from the Gulf Stream but to have them in Southend seems a little peculiar! girafferacing · 2010-04-11: 05:05

Haha. I'm with Lin. Palms are nice at the beach. huiching · 2010-04-11: 05:35

When I first saw this image, I thought you'd all popped off to Florida for a holiday. Palms grow in Torquay and other balmy parts of Britain, even though they're not native, as do many things - roses were an Roman import, originally from the Middle East (or should I say western Asia?). Perhaps you should enjoy the incongruity of the novelty and wish them well, which puts me firmly in Lin's camp, I'm afraid. I have an excuse. I used to wait for spring impatiently for the freesias and then the tulips, which coincide with my birthday. Globalisation means I've been confused for a decade. revenant · 2010-04-11: 09:44

I love palm trees! ......hope they survive! great shot! jennye · 2010-04-11: 18:26

Great composition, feels good to eyes! great shot! loved the discussion! Due to globalization I can eat apples throughout the year, mangoes through out the year, I can decorate with carnations, tulips through out the year! I have seen Infosys in Pune has an Oasis like land scape, immediately besides that is spot looking like amezon forest !! Photoman · 2010-04-11: 22:46

LOL before reading your post I thought you are showing some pictures from your vacation) I grew up in a small spa town in western Bohemia , the weather there was far from warm most of the time, but we had palm trees all over the town in giant flower pots. The trees survived our harsh winters in glass houses...As a child I thought that was normal....when I saw a palm tree in the street, spring was here:) Eiram · 2010-04-12: 06:16

it looks like Brasil now... next the heatwave will come :) flipado · 2010-04-12: 11:55

I agree with Lyn. ;o) Great shot! Ryana · 2010-04-13: 04:15

I'm sure they put some resistent palm trees so that they can live. palm trees also love rocky fields. in portugal you can find them pratically everywhere [though i'm not sure if we have any native specie] the car parking place is kinda weird :p onlyricky · 2010-04-13: 13:09

I agree with you... native trees would be better.. ????? · 2010-04-14: 14:06

Very nice shot manuele · 2010-04-17: 10:20

Tagged: southend sea front eastern esplanade essex river thames palm trees jarvo