If you love trees and you love the UK, then
why not spend this year’s holiday exploring some of the most incredible trees
the Great British Isles have to offer? We've found the country’s most fabulous
trees from all around Britain, so take a look at our list and enjoy a UK Tree-cation
this summer!
Tallest
This ‘see it to believe it’ megatree is
thought to have been around since before the last ice age. Situated by the side
of Scotland’s stunning Lock Fyne measures 211ft tall. But get there fast - the
tree’s status as the tallest in the UK is set to be overtaken by Snowdonian
firs planted back in the 1920s within the next few years.
Thickest
Known appropriately as ‘Majesty’, Britain’s
thickest tree is in Kent’s Fredville Park and has a circumference of 40ft. The
entirely hollow pedunculated oak tree is, however, situated on a private
estate, so you’ll need to ask permission to visit.
Biggest
Herefordshire’s Croft Castle is home to a
sessile oak which holds the record for the greatest volume of timber and
measures 3,800 cubic feet, making it not only the country’s biggest tree, but
also the UK’s largest living thing. Historically, Elms were often the biggest
trees, but disease has wiped out much of the species. However, a felled wych
elm in Staffordshire was recorded as being 16ft thick and 121ft tall, but that
was back in 1636!
Oldest
There are three UK trees vying for position
as Britain’s oldest. All are yews and all are situated in churchyards. Each
tree is thought to be more than 5000 years old and you’ll find them in Fortingall
Perthshire, Llangernyw Conwy and Discoed Powys. There are many yew trees found
in British churchyards and they’re believed to have played an important role in
the Pagan religion. Many legends surround yew trees and many Fortngall
residents believe that Roman Governor Pontius Pilate was born under the shade
of their ancient oak.
Rarest
Believe it or not there are several unique
trees in the UK of which only one specimen exists. The Audley End Oak in Essex
is widely considered to be the rarest and although several attempts have been
made at planting grafts, none have been successful. The tree was planted in the
late 1600s and its Latin name is Quercus audleyensis.
Greatest
Span
Planted in the mid-1600s, Wiltshire’s
Corsham Court is the home of the UK’s most far reaching tree. The tree, which
is on a privately owned estate, spans around 210 ft, practically the size of a
football pitch. The tree is so large that many of its lower branches have begun
to take root. Shute House in Devin is home to the tree with the greatest
unsupported crown. The tree spans 177ft, which is almost three times the size
of the St Paul’s Cathedral dome.
Fastest
Growing
Harcourt Arboretum in Oxford is responsible
for housing the UK’s fastest-growing tree. The Silvertop belonged to the
eucalypt family and grew to 66ft tall in six years, that’s around the same
height as a seven storey building. Unfortunately fast growers often drop off
fairly quickly, too, and the tree died in the winter of 2012.
About the Author:
Nina Slater is a green finger blogger
and gardening expert at King and Co
The Tree Nursery Ltd,
offering the finest collection of semi mature trees and
shrubs, hedging and topiary in the UK.