The Cedar Tree

Programme Guide

Outline:
The action (or lack of it) revolved around the events in Larkfield Manor and a minor well off family in the run up to the second world war. It was typical low budget stuff from ATV, ie dramatic plots - few characters and even fewer sets.
My favourite bit was when the Cedar tree was struck by lightening. Did we see the tree- No not even once- not even a bit of stock library film. No it was " Oh look the Cedar tree has been struck" from one of the girls looking out of an upstairs window.

Internet Pages:
Memorabletv - The Cedar Tree

Broadcast Dates:
1976-1979

Details

The series was created by Alfred Shaughnessy who had grown up in this background and worked on 'Upstairs, Downstairs'. I guess the Cedar Tree was a poorer cousin and as a consequence much less succesful to 'Upstairs, Downstairs'. But it was period drama of the type we don't get today.

The Cedar Tree Production Company:
ATV 1976

Your Views:
I too loved this programme, and I'm amazed that there are so many people out there with fond memories of it. I was at home at the time with a new baby (She's 27 now of course!) and would look forward to this half hour as a gentle respite from the ongoing washing of nappies etc. and I was upset when it just finished one day in the middle of a story line, never to come back! Granada TV seemed to pull the plug on it with no regard at all to its following, not a mention, not a word of explanation. I've also looked for videos of it but, Ah well, I guess it's lost forever.
Eileen - 24/10/05

Any chance anyone would know where to get the theme tune to The Cedar Tree?
Much thanks for any help
Kind regards
Sincerely
Lee - 02/08/05

Okay, I know I'm sad but I am off ill at the moment and for some reason or other I remember being at home when I was 5 or 6 and watching this utterly depressing programme called the Cedar Trees! I don't mean to sound offensive but I guess to a 5 year old there wasn't a lot of interest for me. The bit I can remember is the opening titles, I am not sure if I remember correctly but wasn't there a picture of the tree as the credits rolled and I think the tree's branches grew outwards? Anyway, I am now 34 and was delighted to find your site on the web!
Mike - 29/07/05

I was completely obsessed by this series and couldn't bear to miss an episode. As has been pointed out above it was very understated and gentle and I think that was probably it's real charm. It was quite stagy. I too, of course remember the cedar tree coming down but didn't mind the lack of special effects. Thank God it wasn't Hollywood! I was in my late teens and identified with and admired the aunt who had such a stiff upper lip. These people reminded me of people I knew and are carefully and realistically crafted by Alfred Shaughnessy from what he knew just as in up/down and he was never tempted to sensationalise. I love the idea that The Cedar Tree is a secret treasure that hardly anyone remembers, but at the same time it would be so good to get it out on video. I suppose the episodes were not even saved. Well you never know. Thanks for this site
Rose - 14/12/04
PS If anyone out there is looking for the books there are dozens of them for sale on the used book search engines such as bookfinder.com

I think I can remember watching the cedar tree as a young child when I was off ill from Scholl age 5/6.
What I remember more then anything was the theme tune 'The entertainer' and a bar/counter opening sequence. Is this the correct show ? This has nagged me for years so I hope you can put me out of my misery.
Thanks
Stephen - 17/08/04

I note that a request for a video of this was unavailable (Dec 02).
Can you please advise whether this is still unavailable or whether it is possible to purchase a copy.
Thanks
Faye Gray - 03/03/04

I have just been to the Website and what I would like is a repeat of the series on tv or if if you know of any video's. Thank you.
Barry Thwaites - 17/02/04

I have a copy of a corgi paperback entitled ‘The Cedar Tree’ A novel by Michael Hardwick. However the picture on the front is different to the one on your website. Please find attached a scanned picture of the book front.
Maybe there were two books. This one has the whole cast pictured on front and I would think it was probably the first book written.
I am willing to offer the book for sale. Price negotiable. It is in quite good condition, no pages torn or missing , just slight creasing to bottom corner of front and back covers (see right). If anyone is interested please contact me by email.
Thanks. (For security reasons, if you are interested in this book, please contact us at peacockproduction(remove)@btinternet.com and we'll pass on your e-mail.)
Heather Duffield - 06/01/03

I really enjoyed watching this show. I found it rather comforting, in a slightly claustrophobic way, and it seemed heavy with the scent of female musk, somehow. I probably found it reassuring because of the civilized interpersonal conduct typifying this byegone era , occasionally ruffled by minor dramas decorously intruding from outside. I probably miss it so much because I am nostalgically pining for this idealized Englishness, as I now live in Germany (for now anyway).
I wonder if it is possible to obtain either videos of this series or a copy of the Cedar Tree paperback from Corgi displayed on this web site?
Many thanks anyway for an interesting and informative item!
Eric Mark Charlton Wuppertal, Germany - 23/12/02

The Editor
At present there are no video's of The Cedar Tree and the Corgi book is no longer published, Car boots and Jumble Sales is probably where you'll find a copy now.

If you would like to contact anyone above, please e-mail us and we'll pass on your details.
Add your views about this show to: peacockproduction(REMOVE)@btinternet.com!
You will have to remove the word (REMOVE) which has been added to prevent span e-mails.

Soap Cross-Over

Alan Browning also appeared in The Newcomers.
Peter Hill who played Gates the butler/handyman also played Arthur Brownlow in Crossroads.
Angus Lennie also played Shughie McFee's Mother in Crossroads.

The Cedar Tree Cast:
Alan Browning
Geoffrey Cartland