Cwmdonkin Park in Swansea has long been famed for its trees and has many unusual specimens, from Japanese red cedars to giant redwoods. The reason lies in Swansea’s history as a port: foreign trees would arrive by ship en route to Kew Gardens and because of the park’s sheltered situation in the ‘cwm’ or valley, young saplings were often planted there to see how they fared. Not all got taken away again – to Cwmdonkin’s benefit.
 
On The Wildlife Side
The park’s plants support a rich variety of wildlife, even the abundant ivy which, despite the myths, is no parasite. The native evergreen’s uses to treat warts and counteract the effects of alcoholic indulgence may be consigned to folklore, but its flowers provide copious nectar for insects into late autumn and its berries are a valuable winter food for birds. You might spot small birds popping from nests undercover of older ivy, or from nests hidden in the thick foliage of Cwmdonkin’s yew trees whose fleshy red fruits are another avian favourite.
 
Further foodie visitors to the park include bats that feast on midges over the pond – a single tiny pipistrelle can eat up to 3,000 a night – while any crumbs left from your picnic will be quickly snaffled by ants, chaffinches, house sparrows, and other birds and mini beasties.