One of the eight ornamental windmill palms in Baring Square East was replaced this week, with arborists not needing to look too far for a new tree.

The palm that was removed had failed to thrive since it was relocated during the renovation of the square in 2023. Trachycarpus Fortunei (also known as the Chinese windmill palm) have been a feature of Baring Square East for the past 100 years.

Community and Open Spaces Group Manager Toni Durham said staff had been on the lookout for a replacement palm, and a local arborist had sourced one from a residential garden in Ashburton.

“We were able to take out the dead palm and relocate the new one, which had been destined for removal, all in one operation.

“The cost falls to the contractor who renovated the plantings in 2023 as the palm has a five-year maintenance period.”

There are two windmill palms in each of the square’s four quadrants, and the square is home to a selection of native grasses and shrubs, and trees like Cherry blossoms and London plane trees.

What is the history of Baring Square East?

The land on which the town of Ashburton stands was obtained from the Canterbury Association which held the land under the Wakefield Scheme. The river and the town were named after the Hon. William Baring (Lord Ashburton).

The town is laid out around two central squares either side of the railway line and main highway, Baring Square East and Baring Square West.

In 1977, the Ashburton community was preparing for centenary celebrations to mark 100 years of the Ashburton Borough in 1978. To mark the centenary the Borough Council decided to develop Baring Square East, incorporating the newly-erected Ashburton Town Clock which the County Council had placed in 1976 to mark the centenary of the Ashburton County.

Below: The old palm being removed.