A rare grapefruit tree that’s believed to be one of two in the UK has been handed an official protection order to honour its late planter.
It was planted in the 1980s by Marline Anderson, who brought the tiny sapling all the way from Grenada.
She planted it in her home on Queenstown Road, Battersea, London.
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Sadly, she passed away in June 2025.
To honour her memory – and ensure the beloved tree will grow for generations – her neighbours launched a campaign.
Their aim? To have it recognised with a Tree Preservation Order (TPO).
And they succeeded.
“I’m so happy I did what I did,” Lior Berman, a sustainable and zero-waste chef who led the campaign, told What’s The Jam.
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”I wanted to create a healthy connection with nature and society and I am happy to do that through my good acts.”
The unusual citrus tree, of which only one other in the UK sits in Kew Gardens, has become a bit of a local landmark over the years.
A plaque now sits at the bottom of it bearing Ms Anderson’s signature advice: “Gather what falls, don’t pick what’s still growing.”
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Wandsworth Council’s deputy leader, Kemi Akinola, confirmed the TPO had been issued to safeguard the unique tree and to recognise the wishes of the community.
People were quick to share their thoughts.
“The power of planting a seed,” someone commented.
“Didn’t even know grapefruit tree could grow in this country, thanks Marline for giving me the idea. I’m now going to plant some myself,” another user added.
“Wow there is decent people in the world this is amazing,” someone else said.
One user commented: “Now this is something that makes you smile and give you hope in humanity.”
“Im not crying, you’re crying,” someone else added.
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