Post by Vagabond on Mar 26, 2014 21:23:20 GMT
If you`ve ever visited the ruins of Harbottle Castle, you would have parked your car in the little car park adjacent to the castle, and you would have seen this tree. It`s huge, and stands all on its own on a grassy bank, just to your left as you enter the parking area.
The tree is some 200 years old, its size and position in the village makes it a significant feature in the landscape.
Sadly, this venerable old beech has succumbed to Giant Polypore, a fungal disease which mainly affects beech trees. There is a large crack in the trunk and in one of the stems, the roots are decaying, and there are a number of cracks in the branches and other areas of decay. All this means that the structural integrity of the tree is compromised, it will not be able to withstand many more high winds. Consequently, the landowner, together with the Northumberland National Park have agreed that the tree must be felled.
I, for one, will miss it - I`m glad that I never made friends with it, because then I would miss it all the more.
The taking down of this tree though is necessary; if it is not taken down it will come down of it`s own accord. Generations of families would have picnicked under this tree, it would have been a trysting place, an assembly point and heaven only knows (except for the tree) what else has happened under its branches during its lifetime. What tales it could it could tell!
Some good news though, the National park in conjunction with Harbottle School are to plant a replacement beech, a replacement that, just like its predecessor, could live for 200 years, more even!!
" To some, a tree is a thing of beauty, a joy to behold - to others, it is a green thing that stands in the way."
Edward Markham.
The tree is some 200 years old, its size and position in the village makes it a significant feature in the landscape.
Sadly, this venerable old beech has succumbed to Giant Polypore, a fungal disease which mainly affects beech trees. There is a large crack in the trunk and in one of the stems, the roots are decaying, and there are a number of cracks in the branches and other areas of decay. All this means that the structural integrity of the tree is compromised, it will not be able to withstand many more high winds. Consequently, the landowner, together with the Northumberland National Park have agreed that the tree must be felled.
I, for one, will miss it - I`m glad that I never made friends with it, because then I would miss it all the more.
The taking down of this tree though is necessary; if it is not taken down it will come down of it`s own accord. Generations of families would have picnicked under this tree, it would have been a trysting place, an assembly point and heaven only knows (except for the tree) what else has happened under its branches during its lifetime. What tales it could it could tell!
Some good news though, the National park in conjunction with Harbottle School are to plant a replacement beech, a replacement that, just like its predecessor, could live for 200 years, more even!!
" To some, a tree is a thing of beauty, a joy to behold - to others, it is a green thing that stands in the way."
Edward Markham.
