Lawson cypresses were chopped down in the late 1990s with as much zeal as they were planted in the 1980s; they are far too tall and fast growing to be planted in gardens. They are a popular tree for hedging in parks and in public areas and they are probably best left in the hands of park-keepers and rangers and others who know what they are doing, rather than with amateur gardeners.

              In the country, these trees are a popular habitat for birds like the goldfinch, greenfinch and chaffinch.

With St Paul's in the background..