Compiled by Jeremy Bartlett (JB), Vanna Bartlett (VB), Stuart Paston (SP), Ian Senior (IS) and James Mendelssohn (JM).

This is a list of trees identified by members of Friends of Earlham Cemetery, rather than a complete list of tree species in the Cemetery. It is a work in progress and will be updated as new information comes in. Please let us know of any additional species or if we’ve made any errors.

Last updated: 9th November 2024.

Thanks to Mike Crewe and Anne Crotty for help with tree identification.

Burial sections on the Cemetery plan are used to give approximate locations of trees.

The order of this list follows the Collins Tree Guide by Owen Johnson and David More (Collins 2006).

Species	Comments
Maidenhair Tree, Ginkgo biloba	Several specimens, including ones in Section 51, Sections U and V, and Sections 48 – 50.
Yew, Taxus baccata.	Distributed through the oldest parts of the Cemetery, with some large specimens, including Sections 10 – 14. The yews include the upright form Fastigiata, the Irish Yew.
Western Red Cedar, Thuja plicata	These line both sides of the approach road to the Earlham Road entrance. There are also good specimens in sections 43 – 44 and sections 35 – 41.
Oriental Thuja, Platycladus orientalis	There is one at the east end of Section A. It has distinctive, hooked cones and scentless foliage, duller than Thuja plicata.
Lawson Cypress, Chamaecyparis lawsoniana	Several including sections 43 – 44, adjacent to Western Red Cedars. Low branches of both trees allow comparison of cones, a key distinguishing feature.
Sawara Cypress, Chamaecyparis pisifera	There is one at the west end of Section 2. Sparse and open foliage. Described as “particularly wretched in dry areas” (Johnson & Moore, 2006).
Giant Sequoia, Sequoiadendron giganteum	One in section E, another in section 5 or 6 and a larger one in section 23, behind Helena Road gardens.
Dawn Redwood, Metasequoia glyptostroboides	Section EE. A distinctive deciduous conifer. Identified by Mike Crewe on our walk on 2nd November 2019.
Spanish Fir, Abies pinsapo	Section 5 (NG). A tall specimen. A large branch broke off in 2021 and was still in place in February 2022.
Cedar of Lebanon, Cedrus libani	Near Crematorium, corner of Section 7. (Need to check location & confirm identification.)
Atlas Cedar, Cedrus atlantica	Section DD. Identified by Mike Crewe on our walk on 2nd November 2019.
Blue Atlas Cedar, Cedrus atlantica f. glauca	A good specimen in sections 4 – 5. More south of the Burial Chapel, sections G and 7.
Deodar Cedar, Cedrus deodara	A lovely big specimen in Section 5. Also one in Section C, identified by Mike Crewe on our walk on 2nd November 2019.
European Larch, Larix decidua	Several, including alongside the cycle path avoiding Crematorium (sections 9 – 10), section 4 – 5.
Japanese Larch, Larix kaempferi	Several, including near Cycle path avoiding Crematorium (sections 9 – 10).
Norway Spruce, Picea abies	Single tree, section 6 (NG).
Serbian Spruce, Picea omorika	A nice specimen in Section B near the path, to west of the Catholic Chapel and a rather collapsed specimen in Section 60, both identified by Mike Crewe on our walk on 2nd November 2019.
Western Hemlock, Tsuga heterophylla	A single tree, section 43. Appears to have died in the summer 2022 drought but still standing in April 2023.
Scots Pine, Pinus sylvestris	Quite a few, in different parts of the Cemetery. Our only native pine. Top of trunk is orange pink and needles are in pairs.
Corsican Pine, Pinus nigra ssp. laricio	One at corner of Cemetery main drive and Section O. Another Pinus nigra in Section L.
Stone Pine, Pinus pinea	“Just to the north of P. wallachiana (see below) is a pine tree that could be P, pinea.  It hasn’t got typical growth habit but may be affected by the proximity of other trees.  However, I did find a single rather mangled cone underneath it.  There is another one in a back garden which can be seen from the back alley off Jessop Road near College Road.“ (JM, March 2021)
Bhutan Pine, Pinus wallichiana	Two specimens, Section X – Y. Long needles in groups of five.   “I could only find one of them over by the south road behind Earlham Road houses.” (JM, March 2021)
Mexican White Pine, Pinus ayacahuite	Labelled as such and on the southern edge of Section M.  It is very similar to P.wallachiana. (JM, March 2021). Needles in groups of five.
Monterey Pine, Pinus radiata	“P. radiata is readily recognised by its big cones which are retained tightly pressed to the branch.  There is a group of pines just to the south of the Farrow Road entrance. The ones to the north of the group are P.radiata.  There is another clump on the mini golf course in Eaton Park and more outside the flats in Brunswick Road” (JM, March 2021). Needles in threes.
Grey Poplar, Populus × canescens	Several, section 1 (NG) and by boundary with Bowthorpe Road, section 14. Both lots of trees are spreading by suckers.
Aspen, Populus tremula	Two have recently been planted by the gate from Farrow Road to the western (newest) section of the Cemetery, one on either side of the gateway. These are very upright in growth habit, so may be form ‘Erecta’.
Wild Black Poplar, Populus nigra ssp. betulifolia	Two male trees remain from the original six trees that were present until recently in groups of two by Bowthorpe Road boundary, in newest western part of Cemetery, sections 63, 64, 69.   These may be cuttings from a tree on the north side of Chapelfield (now Chapelfield Gardens) which was six feet in diameter when felled in 1932. (Reference: E. V. Rogers, “The native black poplar (Populus nigra subspecies betulifolia) in Norfolk”, Transactions of the NNNS, Vol. 29 Part 5, July 1993.)   Cuttings from the Cemetery trees were taken in spring 2014, with the permission of Norwich City Council, and nine of these were planted by the River Yare at Marston Marshes on 29th February 2016 but have since died, due to drought and competition from other vegetation. A tenth tree was planted in Tyrrel’s Wood, near Long Stratton, in March 2016.   Further cuttings were taken in March 2016.
Black Walnut, Juglans nigra	Along tarred road that runs east of Crematorium, Sections 7 and 8.
Silver Birch, Betula pendula	Several large specimens, including Section 3 – 4, Sections 48 and 52, Section Q south of North Lodge and at back of Helena Road gardens, where several trees have died from old age in the last twenty years.
Downy Birch, Betula pubescens	On the NE corner of section 48 there is a birch which may be this species. (JM, March 2021.)
Common Hornbeam, Carpinus betulus	A group of trees, at the back of Helena Road gardens, section 25. (JM, March 2021.) Previously mis-identified as European Hop Hornbeam.
European Hop Hornbeam, Ostrya carpinifolia	One in section 37 next to and opposite two Catalpas, and the other in section 5 or 6 next to a hybrid oak. “The trees have a very distinctive trunk and bark and are producing catkins like other Betulaceae.” (JM, March 2021.)
Turkish Hazel, Corylus colurna	In several places, including as an avenue with lower branches lopped along tarmac road east of lodge by Cemetery Office / Earlham Road entrance. Also near cycle path avoiding Crematorium (section 2 (NG)), where more shrub-like.
Roblé Beech, Nothofagus obliqua	Several specimens.   There were several by Farrow Road on the boundary of the eastern section of Cemetery, section CC, but these suffered from drought in recent summers and have mostly been removed.   A single small specimen of this or another species of Nothofagus in section 7 (NG) or 8 (NG), away from the tarmac road. Near a large Tree of Heaven, Ailanthus altissima, which makes a good landmark.
Common Beech, Fagus sylvatica and Copper Beech, Fagus sylvatica f. purpurea	Several large and impressive specimens, sadly reaching the end of their lives. These include a very fine Common Beech near the Dereham Road entrance, possibly older than the Cemetery itself. There are fine Copper Beeches along the tarmac road that winds up the hill through the NE section of the Cemetery (sections 6 (NG) – 11 (NG)). A fine tree by the tarmac road at the back of Winter Road was felled in autumn 2019, following infection by Giant Polypore, Meripilus giganteus.
Weeping Beech, Fagus sylvatica f. pendula	A single impressive specimen, section 11 (NG) – 12 (NG) to the north of the tarmac road that winds up the hill through the NE section of the Cemetery. Half the crown broke off in spring 2022 but the tree is still healthy and impressive.
Sweet Chestnut, Castanea sativa	Several, mainly along the tarred road that runs east of Crematorium, sections 7 and 8.
English Oak, Quercus robur	Several, including a fine specimen at the west end of section D. This is host to Purple Hairstreak butterflies and adult butterflies can be seen fluttering around the tree top in July/August.
Cypress Oak, Quercus robur f. fastigiata	A short row by the boundary between the Cemetery and Julian Hospital, at the east end of section DD. Also Sections N and M.
Turkey Oak, Quercus cerris	Several, including a large specimen at the east end of Section 3, in Section C (near Deodar Cedar), in Section F and at the west end of section 3.
Lucombe Oak, Quercus x hispanica ‘Lucombeana’	An evergreen hybrid between Turkey and Cork Oaks. One in section D and another in Section 5 or 6. (At one point we thought this was a Turner’s Oak but its Turkey Oak parentage apparent from its galls.) A small specimen, also infested with galls, at western end of Section M (JM, March 2021.)
Holm Oak, Quercus ilex	Many large specimens of this evergreen oak, including section 5 (NG) and section C – D.   There may be more than one species of evergreen oak in the Cemetery – more investigation is needed.
Hungarian Oak, Quercus frainetto	A nice specimen in Section B near the path, to west of the Catholic Chapel, identified by Mike Crewe on our walk on 2nd November 2019.
Red Oak, Quercus rubra	Several, including Section K, alongside the tarmac road that winds up the hill through the NE section of the Cemetery (section 11 (NG)) and Section DD.
Pin Oak, Quercus palustris	One specimen, section M / N.
Willow Oak, Quercus phellos	A single specimen, tucked away in Section 1 (NG). An Ameican species with untoothed, very narrow leaves, sometimes flushing gold in autumn. Ours may be the species or a hybrid with another oak. Identified by JM on 18th October 2024. (Previously misidentified as a Cape Willow, Salix mucronata).
Wych Elm, Ulmus glabra	Some small suckers in sections 3 – 6 and along some of the Cemetery boundaries.
Hackberry, Celtis occidentalis	Specimens include west end of section D – E (by tarmac road), the west end of section B and the east end of section 6. The trees are most obvious in late autumn, when the leaves, which are still green, stand out from the other trees.
Southern Nettle-tree, Celtis australis	One in Section 6 (NG) or thereabouts. Smaller leaves than Hackberry, Celtis occidentalis, but of a similar shape.
Osage Orange, Maclura pomifera	A small bushy tree with thorns and distinctive fruit. In the middle of Section O (found by JM). It often has tennis ball sized fruits in the autumn.
Fig, Ficus carica	There used to be one specimen behind the Earlham Road houses, section 51. It was badly damaged in gales in September 2020 and lay horizontal until the next spring, when it was removed.
Kobushi, Magnolia kobus	Section F.
Tulip Tree, Liriodendron tulipifera	Good specimens by the tarmac road that winds up the hill through the NE section of the Cemetery (sections 6 (NG) – 11 (NG)). Also sections 3 – 4. Look out for the flowers in July.
Katsura, Cercidiphyllum japonicum	Died in 2023. (West of tarmac road by bend, section K. A small slender tree with opposite pairs of heart-shaped leaves growing out of its branches on short red stems. In autumn its leaves smell of candyfloss. It would grow better in a wetter site.)
Bay, Laurus nobilis Laurus azorica	A magnificent specimen in section K west of Memorial Garden alongside tarmac pathway.   A second tree, in Section 11, at the east end of the road heading east of the Crematorium towards Winter Road, is the related Laurus azorica, from the Azores. Thanks to Mike Crew for showing us this.
Sweet Gum, Liquidambar styraciflua	Several, including a single specimen section 4, with good autumn colour 2012 and at least two specimens in section 1.
Persian Ironwood, Parrotia persica	Single specimens, including section 4, section F, to east of Bowthorpe Road entrance and in two in middle of sections 9 / 10. Noticeable in late winter / early spring when in flower (maroon stamen-clusters) and in autumn when leaves turn yellow and red.
London Plane, Platanus x hispanica	A row in the Cemetery west of Farrow Road, near Gipsy Lane, Section LL.
Common Hawthorn, Crataegus monogyna	Several, including alongside Farrow Road.
Midland Hawthorn, Crataegus laevigata	Several, including alongside Farrow Road.
Broad-leaved Cockspur Thorn, Crataegus persimilis	One in a sheltered part of section D, with some leaves and berries still present in February 2013.
Hybrid Cockspur Thorn, Crataegus x lavallei	Near Burial Chapel, Section G and in Section L. Lovely white flowers in early summer, few thorns.
Common Whitebeam, Sorbus aria	There were two very fine specimen in sections 27 – 28 behind the Helena Road gardens until about 2008, when one tree was felled. The second tree has since been felled. Another tree is slightly nearer Dereham Road, sections 28 – 29.
Common Rowan, Sorbus aucuparia	Some shapely young trees behind the Helena Road gardens, section 26.
Snowy Mespil, Amelanchier sp.	A single specimen, probably self-sown rather than planted, in Sections 1, 2 or 3 (NG).
Cherry Plum, Prunus cerasifera	Along Cemetery boundaries – noticeable in spring when in full flower.
Pissard’s Plum (Purple-leaved Cherry Plum), Prunus cerasifera ‘Nigra’	Several trees along the tarmac road at back of Earlham Road houses (sections 50 – 51).
Wild Cherry, Prunus avium	One in Section B, identified by Mike Crewe on our walk on 2nd November 2019. Another at east end of section U.
Tibetan Cherry, Prunus serrula	Section D. Identified by Mike Crewe on our walk on 2nd November 2019. Lovely ornamental bark.
Ornamental cherries, Prunus sp.	Several, including in Memorial Gardens.
Bird Cherry, Prunus padus	On edge of section 18. Noticeable in spring, when in flower.
Portugal Laurel, Prunus lusitanica	Several, including in Section 2 near South Lodge, where they have self-seeded.
Cherry Laurel, Prunus laurocerasus	Several, including section Z, section 2 (NG) and section 8 (NG).
Honey Locust, Gleditsia triacanthos	There are two thornless Honey Locust trees in Section 54 (New CWGC plot).
Common Laburnum, Laburnum anagyroides	At back of Winter Road houses, by tarmac road, section 11. Another by back of old military plot, section 25, being swamped by a Yew tree. Several by boundary of eastern part of Cemetery and Farrow Road.
Japanese Pagoda Tree, Styphnolobium japonicum	A large tree with weeping crown and leaves (and young shoots) rather like Wisteria. By the tarmac road, section 5. It rarely flowers, but did so in 2018, presumably as a response to the hot and dry summer.   There are several smaller specimens by the city wall on Chapelfield Road, which also flowered in 2018.   “A couple more in Earlham Cemetery: one East of the two Catalpas and the other West of that near the broken topped conifer” (JM, March 2021).
False Acacia, Robinia pseudoacacia	A single specimen to west of tarmac road at east end of Section 7 (NG) has lots of lovely fissures in its bark. Some branches are dead but there is some regrowth from the trunk. Another, bigger specimen to west of Farrow Road, section MM.
Euodia, Tetradium daniellii	Showy white flowers in summer are attractive to insects.   A single specimen, section 6 (NG). There used to be another Euodia in section C, by tarmac road and south-west corner of Memorial Gardens but it was badly infected with Honey Fungus from 2013 onwards and removed in 2015 – there is now no trace of it.
Box, Buxus sempervirens	Several, including a big specimen west of lime walk from Dereham Road gate, section 31. All have been badly damaged by Box-tree Moth (Cydalima perspectalis) and are not likely to survive for much longer.
Tree of Heaven, Ailanthus altissima	Several specimens, including two large trees: One is in section 7 (NG) or 8 (NG), not far from the tarmac road that winds up the hill through the NE section of the Cemetery. It is now just a tall trunk with a few small branches near the top. There are several smaller trees to the south-east, which seem too far away to just be suckers of the original.The other, a female which bears fruit in big bunches rather like ash keys, is by the Cycle path avoiding Crematorium, at west end of sections 4 – 5.   Others in section K and section DD.
Common Holly, Ilex aquifolium	Several, including large specimens and as a hedge by Dereham Road. There is a variegated specimen just outside South Lodge on the main drive.
Field Maple, Acer campestre	Several near cycle path avoiding Crematorium (section 2 (NG)).
Oregon Maple, Acer macrophyllum	There are two specimens, both labelled, in section M/N (JM, March 2021). Also known as Bigleaf Maple, after its huge leaves.
Sycamore, Acer pseudoplatanus	Many, most or all of which are self sown, including along boundary with Helena Road gardens and in grave plots.
Sugar Maple, Acer saccharum	Several specimens in the North West corner of the formal garden, overhanging the road.  “They have finely incised leaves and can be compared to one opposite the Norway Maple on The Avenues.  Last spring I noticed many twig ends on the ground and the realised that the squirrels were after the rising sap.  This year the squirrels seem to have moved on to the trees nearer the pool in the formal gardens.  It looks like A. saccharum is the main border planting of this area.” (JM March 2021.)
Cappadocian Maple, Acer cappadocicum
Zoeschen Maple, Acer x zoeschense
Red Maple, Acer rubrum	There is a fine specimen in the Memorial Gardens, on the north side.
Norway Maple, Acer platanoides	Section E. Identified by Mike Crewe on our walk on 2nd November 2019.
Variegated Norway Maple, Acer platanoides var. ‘Drummondii’	West side of tarmac road to Burial Chapel, section F.
Moosewood, Acer pensylvanicum	In one of the sections west of central roadway between Crematorium and RC Chapel.
Paper-bark Maple, Acer griseum	Small tree with commemorative notice attached including identification, Section M. Another in Section E.
Box Elder, Acer negundo	There are two or three of these rather untidy trees next to the fence on Farrow Road just north of the entrance. (JM March 2021.)
Horse Chestnut, Aesculus hippocastanum	Double rows line the tarmac roads between sections A and B and between sections N and O.
Indian Horse Chestnut, Aesculus indica	One specimen in the middle of section 7, another in section F.
Small-leaved Lime, Tilia cordata	Several young specimens with sweeping low branches to right of tarmac road, sections 25 – 26.
Common Lime, Tilia x europaea	A double row along the untarred road from the Dereham Road gate. A double row of low, pollarded trees by tarmac road, south end of section K. Also behind Earlham Road houses, section 40.
Cider Gum, Eucalyptus gunnii.	Single tree in section F, visible from tarmac road.
Table Dogwood, Cornus controversa	One in Section 11 (NG) and another in Section E, by tarmac road. Thanks to Anne Crotty for the identification.
Snowdrop Tree, Halesia monticola	A good specimen by the Cycle path avoiding Crematorium, at west end of section 3. Distinctive white flowers in late spring and persistent 4-winged fruit like a dart’s flight. “if you walk, from the one east of the main road, westwards across the road the other one is on your right before you get to the hybrid oak on your right.” (JM, March 2021)
Common Ash, Fraxinus excelsior	Several trees mostly behind the Helena Road and Winter Road houses, including larger specimens in section 17 (behind corner of Winter Road and Stafford Street) and in section 1. Several of the smaller trees have died of Ash Dieback disease (first found in 2014), including a couple of specimens beside the cycle track as it passes through section 6.
Manna Ash, Fraxinus ornus	Section F, identified by Mike Crewe on our walk on 2nd November 2019. Also one in In section 46.
Chinese Tree Privet, Ligustrum lucidum	In section K beside roadway west of Crematorium. Died of drought during summer of 2016.
Olive, Olea europaea	One has been planted on a grave in section DD – EE.
Hybrid Bean Tree, Catalpa x erubescens	A tree in the Memorial Gardens has small “bean pods” and is definitely a Catalpa, probably this one.
Elder, Sambucus nigra	Several, self sown, including by back of old military plot, section 25.
Spindle, Euonymous europaeus	A small number, including section 1 and section 4 – 5. These small trees / large shrubs are most obvious in autumn when the foliage turns pink and the pink berries split open to reveal orange seeds.
Wayfaring Tree (Viburnum lantana)	On the edge of section M or N. Found by IS on 26th April 2024.