The Seven Sisters

The ‘Seven Sisters’ are a ring of seven trees that have stood here at Page Green for hundreds of years. Mystery and intrigue may surround why they were growing at this spot, but their story has captivated locals for generations. Some say the first seven elm trees grew naturally in a circle around a walnut tree. Others believe during the 1300s the original elms were planted by seven sisters from a local family. 

(The Seven Sisters Trees at Page Green, c.1818. Engraving from a drawing by H. C. Fields. From the collections and © Bruce Castle Museum and Archive)

The trees have been replanted several times, each time by seven sisters from Tottenham. In 1886 and 1928 it was the Hibbert sisters, then the Basten sisters in 1955. Following the same tradition, in December 1996 a tree planting ceremony was organised by the Tree Trust for Haringey. Seven hornbeams were planted by five Tottenham families of seven sisters – the Baptistes, the Fordhams, the Littletons, the Monks and the Robinsons. The same spade was used for each planting, now displayed at Bruce Castle Museum and Archive.

(Cover of Haringey People Magazine featuring the Edwards sisters who, following tradition and along with six other groups of seven sisters, planted seven hornbeams at Page Green in 1996. The planting was organised by the Tree Trust for Haringey. From the collections and © Bruce Castle Museum and Archive)

These landmark seven trees have become iconic for our communities and important for our environment. Giving their name to the area, Seven Sisters Road, a school and the station, the trees have continued to inspire everyone over the centuries – from environmentalists, artists, writers, designers and historians as well as a poem by former Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy. 

Further resources

For a fuller story, timeline, images and links to resources and collections about the Seven Sisters, read the post compiled by Bruce Castle Museum and Archive

‘Tottenham Trees’ has a focus on and this great website about the ecological and heritage protection of all special trees in Tottenham.

Inspired by the Seven Sisters: Public Art

Frequent travellers to and from Seven Sisters Tube Station will be familiar with the iconic decorative tiles of the Seven Sisters trees on the tube platform. They were designed by Hans Unger (1915 – 1975), the contemporary poster designer and artist whose work was used by London Transport and the Post Office. His commission was a new opportunity to bring art to the underground with the extension of the Victoria Line from Seven Sisters to Walthamstow opening in 1968. The artist Hans Unger lived locally in Haringey - in 1948 he had moved to the UK from Germany and settled in Muswell Hill.

Fifty years, later in 2018, @TottenhamNow_Arts commissioned graphic artist Lakwena MacIver to paint a mural on the Transport for London air vent at Page Green just by the Seven Sisters trees. The work is called ‘Together We Stand’ and uses colour and text to relate to the circle of these special seven trees standing together.

(‘Together We Stand’ (2018) mural by Lakwena MacIver at Page Green by the Seven Sisters Trees. It was commissioned by @TottenhamNow_Arts. Photograph courtesy of Tottenham Now Arts)

 Accompanying this permanent piece, other temporary site-specific installations included one called ‘Home’ with artwork hanging from the seven trees, created by pupils of nearby Earlsmead Primary School.

(‘Home’ (2018), temporary installation of artworks by pupils of Earlsmead Primary School at Page Green by the Seven Sisters Trees. The school worked with @TottenhamNow_Arts. Photograph courtesy of Tottenham Now Arts)

Further resources

Read this local blog and discussion for other creative ideas exploring how the seven sisters trees could be additionally inspirational.