Heritage Tree Hunt

The Treasure Hunt

I am a tree consultant and, with my colleague Aubrey Fennell, we are undertaking a survey of the Heritage Trees of Ireland for the Tree Council of Ireland in association with Crann and the Irish Tree Society. A heritage tree may be defined as a tree of biological, cultural, ecological or historical interest because of its age, size or condition. The project is being undertaken as an extension of the Tree Register of Ireland which is a record of Ireland’s champion trees.

Heritage trees are an integral and valuable part of our natural and cultural landscape and are often among the oldest living objects in the country. They are found in our native woodlands, historic parklands and estates, in association with human settlement, along roadsides and in hedgerows, agricultural fields and occasionally as isolated specimens in the middle of housing estates or development sites. Heritage trees are often all that remains as a legacy of some of our most historic landscapes. They survive today because of their historical connections, aesthetic appeal, because of their ecological or botanical significance or simply because they are hidden away. However, many are endangered either through neglect or lack of knowledge. Many more have been lost or felled to make room for development, intensive agriculture and forestry (See image of The Pumpkin Tree) or for misguided safety reasons. Existing legislative measures aimed at conserving trees of heritage interest are largely ineffective but little can be done to effect the necessary changes required to improve the efficiency of tree-related legislation without evidence of the extent of the resource to be protected.

We want our heritage and ancient trees to survive as long as possible and to do this we need to protect them. The only way we can do this is to know where they are. We need to find them, map them, photograph them and record them.

We are appealing to as many people as possible to tell us about their trees!

We want to hear about giant, important, mysterious, sacred, historical, fabulous, bizarre-looking or ancient trees, and generally trees with a story!

There are all sorts of trees that would qualify for inclusion, for example: rag trees; hanging trees; military trees (planted in military formation to commemorate battles); those of exceptional girth, height or age; any associated with historical events, people or structures; and those which are important to a community.

The mighty King Oak in Charleville Estate in Tullamore, County Offaly is an example of a heritage tree. It is a pedunculate oak and old trees in woods local to the King Oak have been ring counted at around 450 years old. Tradition holds that when a member of the Hutton-Bury family dies, a major branch falls from the tree.

The Muckross Friary Yew, Killarney, County Kerry stands in the centre of the cloisters of the ruined Muckross Friary and is one of the most famous trees in Ireland. An account in the Dublin Penny Journal (ANON, 1833) stated: ‘The stem of this remarkable tree, which there is no reason to doubt is coeval with the Abbey, is upwards of twelve feet in height, and about six feet six inches in circumference. It is preserved with religious veneration by the peasantry; and so awful is the effect produced on the mind by its extraordinary canopy, that many persons shrink back with terror on entering within its precincts, and few can remain long without feeling an impatient desire to escape from its oppressive influence.’

Not all heritage trees are so dramatic, however; they can, in fact, be quite unremarkable. This Laburnum in Colebrooke Estate, County Fermanagh had hardly been noticed apart from the vivid yellow flowers in Spring; it fell over some years ago but has continued to survive in an almost horizontal position. However, on a recent field visit to the estate with Pete Alderman, from the Tree Register of the British Isles, it was discovered that even measured in its supine state it is the 4th largest of all Laburnum species recorded in Ireland and a champion for the north!

On the same visit we measured a magnificent field maple that turned out to be the 11th biggest in all Ireland and 2nd biggest in the north. This particular tree would not only qualify for the heritage tree survey for its size, but it is a particularly impressive example of the species.

If anyone has information on any trees like this we would be delighted to hear from you! We need to know the location of the tree, a grid reference if possible, the ownership of the tree, your contact details, the common name of the species if known, any photographs, the reason you think the tree should be included and any story connected with it. Mail us with your information.

You can contact me, Kate Crane at cranoggin@eircom.net or 087 821 4817 or call Aubrey Fennell on 087 620 3906

Irish Tree Trivia

Beech is an excellent timber for making furniture. It was brought into Ireland in the 17th Century.

Larch is very resistant to rot. This is why it is used for boat building

Sitka spruce, which is very widely planted in Ireland, has a variety of uses, from roofing timber to paper pulp. Its light colour makes it good for newsprint.

Yew trees are often seen in graveyards. They were originally planted there to stop animals digging up and eating dead bodies.

In recent years, taxol, a chemical compound extracted from yew, has been found to be effective against breast cancer.

Clogs for the feet are made from the wood of the alder tree. Because it is able to withstand the damp, alder timber was originally used in the building of bridges across the canals in Venice. Vessels used for holding milk were also made from alder.