Stratford Olympic Park's History Trees

At Stratford's Olympic Park, over 4,000 trees were brought in for the beginning of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. To mark the enduring legacy of the Olympic Games, nine trees at the entrance to the Olympic Park have been turned into art. Nine rings have been installed into a selection of Red Oak, Common Ash and Silver Lime trees.

Designed by architects Heather Ackroyd and Dan Harvey, each ring has information about Stratford and the history of the area. As time goes on, the metal ring attached to the branches of each tree’s widest part will fuse with the wood and become part of it. A tenth ring, inscribed with memories from Stratford residents, will be attached to an English Oak. The shadow cast by this ring will be captured on the ground via a bronze inlay. Once a year, the shadow will fall exactly on the bronze inlay, commemorating the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Want to find the trees for yourself? You can find them throughout the Olympic Park with the English Oak located at the southeast entrance to the park, the entrance you would use if coming from Stratford City.

In conjunction with this project, local artist Lucy Harrison created some audio files associated with each tree. These include interviews with local residents and a bit of history about the area. You can download these free audios on the Mapping your Manor website.