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Home & Garden > Sweet Chestnut Tree Appeal
 

Sweet Chestnut Tree Appeal



Woodland Trust appeal over sweet chestnut tree


Rizzio's sweet chestnut tree; pic courtesy of Ed Parker The sweet chestnut tree is poorly represented on the database

The Woodland Trust has asked the public to pinpoint the location of one of the country's oldest trees.
The charity launched the Ancient Tree Hunt in 2007 and this autumn it wants the public to help track down the sweet chestnut.
The tree is said to be one of Scotland's most distinctive, with links to the Romans and Mary Queen of Scots.
The trust said the sweet chestnut is poorly represented on their database of ancient trees.
Regarded as an honorary native introduced to Britain by the Romans to provide a ready supply of chestnut flour, the sweet chestnut originates from southern Europe, western Asia and north Africa.
Edward Parker, the Ancient Tree Hunt project manager at the Woodland Trust, said: "The sweet chestnut has so many important historical associations and it also rather surprisingly grows some of the biggest trunks in the UK, yet the Ancient Tree Hunt has just over 3,000 records for the species, while oak accounts for nearly half of all the 73,000 trees on the database.

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Start Quote



Ancient sweet chestnuts have distinctively twisted, spiral-like trunks when they grow old, so they are easily recognisable ”


End Quote Edward Parker The Woodland Trust

"We know there will be many more out there, so we are urging people to help us gain more data.
"Ancient sweet chestnuts have distinctively twisted, spiral-like trunks when they grow old, so they are easily recognisable to the public, especially at this time of the year while the nuts are available.
"It's also a great way of stocking up on free food for traditional autumn or Christmas dishes with the family."
Said to be the stoutest of its species in Scotland, the Cockairnie sweet chestnut, found at Cockairnie House, near Aberdour, Fife, has a girth of 8.82 metres (29 feet).
Cockairnie House is about 500 years old and the Woodland Trust believes the tree was probably planted shortly after the house was built.
The tree with the oldest recorded planting date in Scotland is the 1550 sweet chestnut at Castle Leod, Strathpeffer.
Estate records show that the tree was planted in 1550 by John Mackenzie, a privy councillor to King James V and Mary, Queen of Scots.

Sweet chestnut; pic courtesy Ed Parker The sweet chestnut has a distinctive, twisted trunk

The Woodland Trust said there seemed to be a strong connection between the sweet chestnut and to the time of Mary Queen of Scots.
The Queen Mary's tree in North Lanarkshire, is reputed to have been planted by the Queen in 1561 during a visit to Cumbernauld Castle.
Although the castle no longer exists, the ancient sweet chestnut survives.
It is also thought she planted the Balermino sweet chestnut, when she visited the abbey in 1565.
Another castle frequented by the Queen was Melville Castle in Midlothian.
During one of her visits, David Rizzio, her Italian secretary and close companion, is said to have planted a tree as a token of his love for her by the banks of the River North Esk.
The tree survives to this day next to the stable block, which is now known appropriately as Chestnut House.

posted on Nov 14, 2010 3:07 PM ()

Comments:

I appreciate this info. I clicked on link given and got "mybloggers auction"?????
comment by anacoana on Nov 16, 2010 2:05 PM ()
That has happened to me to
As I told you, it is going to be 'different', taking this on - I am itching, to see the outcome. This evening, I will take some time to see what I can work on. I will try small things first - get my head around it, sort of.
reply by augusta on Nov 16, 2010 2:13 PM ()
Our public TV station many years ago had these little filler pieces about interesting trees in England. I always wished they'd have put them together in one segment so we could see them all.
comment by troutbend on Nov 15, 2010 11:26 PM ()
Have you ever looked on 'you tube' for them? Just a thought - it sounds very interesting. I have always had a 'thing' for them - hmmm, had a thought . . .
reply by augusta on Nov 16, 2010 12:53 PM ()
That twisty spine reminds me of the Wolloping Willow in the Harry Potter books. What a unique looking tree! And yay for the tasty chestnuts.
comment by juliansmom on Nov 15, 2010 11:00 AM ()
D'you know, when I looked at this photo the first time, it reminded me of something - couldn't place it! But you are right - that is it Thank you for putting my mind at rest
It is a lovely looking tree -a classic
reply by augusta on Nov 15, 2010 12:26 PM ()
I saw some Chestnut trees in the Smoky Mts (Nat. Park) a few years back. Then, when I hiked along an old canal (here in Indiana) last year, I saw some trees I couldn't identify. I've been perplexed to this moment--until I saw your picture! They have to be chestnuts! WOW! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
comment by solitaire on Nov 15, 2010 5:46 AM ()
I am soooooo happy to have helped you to identify the trees They are truly a unique type of tree - full of character
reply by augusta on Nov 15, 2010 12:34 PM ()
if only trees could talk! I would love to have that tree in my yard, although it would be a bit scary to see at night. Looks like a tree out of the Wizard of Oz!
comment by elkhound on Nov 15, 2010 3:49 AM ()
Oooooh Mary, having this tree outside my bedroom window stirs up deep, mystical vibes . . . I would love to have it . . . . imagine all the stormy, thunder and lightening peppered night times - the wind blowing gales . . . branches beckoning to you to come and follow . . . . . sheer 'bliss' . . . (and the fact that Chris would c#a@ himself . . .)
reply by augusta on Nov 15, 2010 12:42 PM ()
Same here loved to see one.Nice
comment by fredo on Nov 14, 2010 3:59 PM ()
Thank you Fredo, glad you enjoyed seeing it
reply by augusta on Nov 15, 2010 12:43 PM ()
I'd love to see one one day!
comment by marta on Nov 14, 2010 3:23 PM ()
They were talking about it on 'Countryfile', a programme that is on every Sunday evening. I think it was the pictured tree here that was on the telly. It is so much more beautiful (I will say 'real life' - even though it was on the screen) but it was pretty spectacular. The gnarled twisting trunk becomes even more so, as the older the tree gets older. Yes, I too would like to see this one. I am going to keep a look out for one, as the tree appeal asks. I know there are some Chestnut Trees around here somewhere, cos my youngest used to collect them when he was in school, I'll find out where abouts. You never know, there may be a Sweet Chestnut hiding in some overgrown dip in the mountainside . . .
reply by augusta on Nov 14, 2010 3:53 PM ()

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