Horse Chestnuts.
They may not look extraordinary, but the Horse Chestnut trees on Bealey Avenue have weathered many challenges in their 130 plus years.
Planted in 1867 these were the first of the trees planted to help define Christchurch's four avenues. However, early newspaper reports referred to them being damaged by wild, drunken horsemen and grazing goats. Many had to be replaced the following year.
Surviving Horse Chestnut between Stoneyhurst Street and Springfield Road faced another formidable challenge from coal gas leaking from the main that ran along the median strip. The gas stunted the trees' growth and even killed some specimens. An adjacent group of old Elms were also affected.
