It is difficult to imagine any more important trees in Chichester than the row of limes alongside the cathedral in West Street. These trees have been contributing to people and place at the heart of our city for nearly 200 years and may continue to do so for decades to come.

We have pieced together parts of their story and will be adding information for you to explore here:

• their history and cultural significance;
• their environmental and public health role;
• modern attitudes, values and policies that will determine their place in our future landscape.

WORK IN PROGRESS - information and links to follow as time allows

The environment of West Street does not stand still and we understand that initial concept plans submitted to Government as part of a 2022 Levelling Up Fund bid by Chichester District Council to improve the area indicated that the trees could be felled. We invited the project's partners to progress their designs in a way that retains the existing trees: you can read our letter, dated 15th August 2022, here. They did not engage but, as the bid was unsuccessful, the threat to the 6 remaining trees has eased (although 3 tree pits remain empty, reminding us of lost trees and lost opportunity for succession planting).

We very much hope that you, our reader, will contribute to our understanding of these trees' story and enable us to share your feedback with those who may hold the future of these trees in their hands, should they come under threat again. Please get in touch with your thoughts and experiences.