inspired by numbered trees

I had noticed some months ago that my favourite oak tree on Heron Hill has a metal number on it. Now here is another one. This time it is a Hawthorn tree. I wonder how old the tree is, and why this one in particular has been listed. I wish now that I had asked the very knowledgeable guide from the Civic Society. She was taking us on a tour of Kendal, pointing out many places and stories linking Quakers with Kendal's past.

This stop was at an old Quaker burial ground, first opened in 1656. At that time, Quakers didn't have gravestones. Later, in the 19th Century, stones were acceptable, but had to be of an agreed simple design and having only the name, age and date of death of the deceased. By 1855 the area was in a state of dereliction. It was donated to the town and made available as a place to sit and rest. I can't helpd been wondering how the grave diggers managed to dig the graves on such a hilly and - inevitably - stony area.