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There are more than 7,000 trees in Alexandra Park and our resident expert, Stephen Middleton from The Friends of Alexandra Park, is introducing us to some of this favourites. 

King Xerxes of the Persians stopped to admire a tree on the way to fight the Greeks. He was so impressed with the Oriental Plane (Platanus orientalis) that he decorated it with gold. Unfortunately this didn’t bring him luck as he went on to lose the battle of Thermopylae.

Our June Tree of the Month is located at the bottom of the western side of the grassy slope under Alexandra Palace just below the “middle path” and about 20 metres to the east of the steep tarmac path. It is the only tree of its type in the park.

The oriental plane is one “parent” tree of the more well-known hybrid tree, the London plane, which graces London’s parks and streets. (The other parent is the Western Plane from North America.)

In the wild our tree of the month is likely to be found growing near water where it can grow up to 30m high.

The oriental plane was first brought to these shores in the mid 16th century. The chinar (or chenar) as it is called in Iran is native to a region stretching from the Balkans to central asia.

There are separate yellow male and red female balls of flowers. The male balls disintegrate spreading pollen and the female flowers stay on the tree to produce the seeds. These seed balls normally come in groups of three to six whereas the London plane normally has only up to three together. 

The palmate (hand-like) leaves of the oriental plane tree resemble the leaves of maple trees, but the trees are unrelated with very different looking fruit. Also the leaves of planes alternate left and right going along a stem whereas in maples each leaf is paired with a partner opposite. 

The leaves are also very similar to those of the London plane, but have more indented leaves. Our particular tree is probably the ‘Digitalis’ clone which is particularly finger-like.

Romans thought that the tree thrived by being given wine to help it grow. Modern horticulturists are less likely to favour this technique.

The leaves and bark have been used as an astringent (drying agent) to dry out the skin. The wood is used in veneers and is said to be the wood that made up the wooden horse of Troy.

The London plane tree was a previous tree of the month back in June 2023.

A historic piece of television heritage – a section of a prototype transmitter tower – has been transferred to the Palace from the former EMI research laboratories and manufacturing complex at Hayes, Middlesex, via the EMI Archive Trust.

Built in 1935 to help deliver ground-breaking Marconi-EMI television tests, the tower formed the blueprint for the transmitter mast erected at Alexandra Palace as part of the world’s first television station, operated by the BBC here from 1936.

The 5.3m steel structure now sits in our East Court in the shadow of the iconic BBC television transmitter tower – the mast you can see on the Palace today! It is the surviving top section of a 200ft high tall, experimental television transmitter tower, that provided the platform for the aerial equipment that sent tv pictures into people’s homes!

The tower forms part of a heritage display covering 150 years of the ‘People’s Palace’ and is free to see for all visitors. Having it at ground level allows everyone to appreciate this remarkable feat of engineering at close quarters. It will be a cornerstone of our ongoing television heritage projects. Our ambition is to engage with university students to develop creative, innovative interpretation of the transmitter tower, employing augmented reality and VR. With this approach we aim to increase intellectual access on the subject, engaging diverse audiences.

This is the first tangible expression of Alexandra Park and Palace Charitable Trust’s newly established strategic partnership with the EMI Archive Trust.

Emma Dagnes, Alexandra Palace CEO: “This structure is a living piece of television history, and we are delighted that it is on display for everyone visiting the Palace to see. It’s a chance for people to explore the truly ground-breaking story of television, so much of which began inside the Palace. We are extremely pleased to have formed a partnership with the EMI Archive Trust, and look forward to working together to bring our visitors unique insights into the world of entertainment, music and television.”

On behalf of EMIAT, Chair Tom Williams welcomed this positive step: “The burgeoning partnership with the iconic Alexandra Palace is a tremendously exciting development for the Trust. The EMI Transmitter Tower played a crucial role in the evolution of television here in the UK, and it’s only right that it is proudly displayed somewhere like Ally Pally for all to see.”

Find out more about the history of television at Alexandra Palace, including the pioneering work by Marconi-EMI.

Emma Dagnes, Alexandra Park and Palace Charitable Trust CEO, has been awarded an OBE in recognition of her services to heritage, in the King’s birthday honours list announced today (15 July).

Over the past fourteen years Emma, alongside the staff, volunteers, stakeholders and Trustees, has worked tirelessly to elevate the “People’s Palace” to its status as an iconic cultural, well-being and leisure destination.

Having recently concluded celebrations of the 150th anniversary of the Grade II listed Palace and award-winning 196-acre Park, Emma is now spearheading the charity’s ambitious new vision for the future: to become a sustainable home for inspirational culture, world-class entertainment, unique heritage, life-affirming creative and learning opportunities and restorative green space.

Cllr Emine Ibrahim, Chair of the Trustees of Alexandra Park & Palace Charitable Trust: “On behalf of the Trustees and myself I am delighted to see Emma recognised with an OBE. Since starting at Alexandra Park and Palace fourteen years ago, Emma has brought energy, imagination and dedication to all that she has undertaken. From leading on the major restoration of our lost Victorian Theatre to growing our entertainment, wellbeing and creative learning programme, reaching new audiences and beneficiaries. Through her leadership the charity has gone from strength to strength. Emma embodies the Ally Pally spirit, and the Trustees look forward to working with her and her team as we move into the next chapter with our Vision to be a sustainable home for all that we do.”

Emma Dagnes OBE, CEO of Alexandra Park & Palace Charitable Trust: “I am truly honoured to have received this award. Heritage is much more than just physical structures. It is about the people and the stories that inhabit these spaces and the inspiration and sense of community that they bring to people’s lives. Ally Pally is one of the nation’s great success stories in this respect. That is thanks to a huge number of people who have worked, campaigned, volunteered and fundraised to ensure the survival and success of the “People’s Palace” over its 150 years. I am proud to be one of their number and privileged to continue to serve as we move forward with an exciting and bold new Vision and resolve to safeguard Ally Pally for now and forever.”

As part of our charity’s work to become a sustainable home for all that we do, our Theatre team are supporting visiting film and television productions to ensure their shoots meet the environmental standards outlined by BAFTA albert.

Founded in 2011, albert is the leading screen industry organisation for sustainability, encouraging the reduction of the environmental impacts of productions. ​

Among the ways we are supporting visiting filming teams:

• To complete a carbon calculator that allows production teams to plan and monitor their energy use whilst onsite
• All our Theatre lighting is LED, significantly reducing energy consumption
• We offer recycling for paper, plastic, food waste and batteries
• Our equipment is modular, meaning we can make continual upgrades instead of replacing it, helping us to reduce tech waste
• Limiting use of material like tape, for example by using Velcro straps as an alternative. Might not sound much, but with hundreds of miles of cable being used across each year, it is totally worth it
• In-house production equipment is provided, meaning clients avoid hiring equipment and can significantly reduce mileage of delivery vehicles

These are only small steps, but with hundreds of filming days taking place here since reopening the Theatre in 2018 after 80 years of closure, it adds up to progress and is indicative of the rising awareness across the film and television industry of the need to act on opportunities, on and off screen, that will lead to effective climate action.​

Over the last six years, our award-winning Victorian Theatre has welcomed a range of film shoots, alongside an evolving programme of live music, drama, comedy and creative learning events. This has included hosting music videos for Stormzy and Jungle; featuring filming for One Love (Bob Marley biopic) and Spiderman; TV series such as the awesome Atlanta and the BBC’s The Great British Menu; as well as the 6 Music Festival and the iconic Later…with Jools Holland.

Find out more about our approach to sustainability

Stephen Middleton from the Friends of Alexandra Park introduces us to his selection for May’s Tree of the Month…

With dramatic circular disc-like flowers, but without any petals or sepals, the May Tree of the Month is the Wheel Tree (Trochodendron aralioides). Stamens (male parts of the flower) radiate like the spokes of a wheel and the leaves of this tree are concentrated at the ends of the branches in a whorl. The Wheel Tree is a rare and strange tree and the only one in the park. You can find it flowering sometime between April and June.

Our tree is located in the Grove area of the park. Walk down the path from the Grove Cafe and it can be found just to the right of the path after the pine trees and adjacent to a willow-leaved pear – another example of last month’s tree of the month.

Wheel trees come from the far east and are native to Taiwan and central and southern Japan. In Japan it can sometimes grow as an epiphyte (a plant that grows on other plants). Specifically, this tree can grow on Japanese red cedars.

Another unusual feature of this tree is that in common with primitive plants it doesn’t have the long tubular vessels providing efficient water transport. In fact it is believed to be descended from plants that did evolve them before later giving them up for reasons yet to be explained. This is a little like the evolution of primitive sea creatures that first came onto land and then returned to the sea to become our present day whales.

The Wheel Tree was first brought to Europe (St Petersburg) in the 1860s before being grown in this country. It first flowered here at the end of the 19th century.

Although our particular tree is more like a large shrub, the tallest one in the UK has grown to almost 20 metres in height.

The scientific name Trochodendron literally means wheel (trocho) tree (dendron). The second part of the name describes the tree as looking like another tree called an aralia…… “aralioides”.

In Japan the tree has been used for building construction and as a glue.

While you are in this area check out the last of rhododendrons flowering.

Why is The Glass Menagerie famous?

The author, Tennessee Williams, stands as one of America’s greatest playwrights of the 20th century, renowned for timeless works like ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ and ‘Cat on a Hot Tin Roof’. His captivating dramas continue to engage modern audiences, showcasing his enduring brilliance 70 years after their initial debuts. Additionally, The Glass Menagerie, one of his most famous works, is a semi-autobiographical piece that draws heavily from his own life experiences.

Why is The Glass Menagerie at Ally Pally a must-see?

The Glass Menagerie is a must-see play for its unique structure, poetic language and rich metaphors. Coupled with Atri Banerjee’s atmospheric lighting, striking set design and surprising score it’s an unforgettable theatrical experience.

When is The Glass Menagerie on?

The Glass Menagerie will be taking over our stunning Victorian Theatre from 22 May to 1 June.

How do I book tickets?

Tickets start at just £15, plus fees. You can book them here.

Where in Alexandra Palace can I see The Glass Menagerie?

The play is set in our stunning Victorian Theatre, originally opened in 1875, once entertained audiences of up to 3,000 with opera, pantomime, and ballet. Closed for 80 years, it was lovingly restored and reopened in 2018. The award-winning restoration project transformed it into ‘London’s oldest new theatre,’ featuring unique ‘arrested decay’ décor. Today, it hosts a year-round schedule of drama, comedy, and live music.

Who are the cast?

The cast includes BAFTA nominee Geraldine Somerville (Cracker, Gosford Park, and the Harry Potter film series) reprising her acclaimed portrayal of Amanda Wingfield, who is joined by new cast members Kasper Hilton-Hille (Tom Wingfield), Zacchaeus Kayode (Jim O’Connor), and Natalie Kimmerling (Laura Wingfield).

The creative team includes Atri Banerjee (Director), Rosanna Vize (Designer), Lee Curran (Lighting Designer), Giles Thomas (Composer and Sound Designer), Anthony Missen (Movement Director), Helena Palmer CDG (Casting Director), Darren Sinnott (Associate Director), Alys Whitehead (Associate Designer) and Robbie Butler (Associate Lighting Designer).

What do the reviews say?

★★★★ Stylish, wild, gloriously romantic. Geraldine Somerville brings out the wince-inducing comedy – The Independent

★★★★ Halfway between memory, dream and something entirely imagined. Heart-wrenching – The Telegraph

★★★★ Tennessee Williams meets Whitney Houston. Tremendous – The Observer

★★★★ Astonishing refresh upturns a delicate classic – The Guardian

★★★★ Moving and magical – The Daily Mail

Alexandra Palace and Wood Green will be hosting a range of events throughout June to celebrate the London Festival of Architecture 2024.

The Palace and Haringey Council have been selected as participants in the Festival, which is an annual month-long celebration of architecture and city-making, taking place across London.

The theme of this year’s festival is ‘Re-imagine’ which will explore how people can reflect on and rethink public spaces in a time of climate change, cost of living crisis and social inequality.

Our events include tours, exhibitions, podcasts, panel discussions and specially curated live music performances. They are open to all and aim to showcase this unique part of the borough and how both the Park and Palace and Wood Green are being reimagined to provide people access to arts, culture, community and youth space and much, much more.

All our events take place throughout June in the Wood Green and Alexandra Palace area. The majority are free, while some require booking. Full programme information is here.

All photos © Patrick Gunning for Alexandra Palace