189. The King Tree
There’s a rash of old sweet chestnuts in Scotland, and this is one of the most intriguing.
Despite its great age of around 450 years, The King Tree is in relatively sound condition, and may yet survive another century or more in this unlikely spot, close to the kerb on Chestnut Crescent, in the shadow of the M80. It stands in what was once the grounds of Herbertshire Castle and is now an interwar housing estate. Come in the autumn to pore over a prickly chestnut.
Species details
Sweet chestnut
Castanea sativa
Where to find it
Chestnut Crescent, Dunipace, Denny FK6 6LF
///truckload.clauses.delays | 56.026129, -3.9195360
Other sweet chestnuts
The Urban Tree Festival continues…
Some of my Urban Tree Festival highlights for the next few days:
Monday 11th
A walk in Memory of Ms Marline: The Grapefruit Tree at 67 Queenstown Road – A walk in Battersea celebrating the famous grapefruit tree, one that also featured in Jackee Holder’s TST Long Read from a few weeks back.
Tuesday 12th
Trees at ExCel - a local tree walk led by Tony Kirkham & Kenton Rogers – Tony Kirkham is the former head of the arboretum at Kew, so this will no doubt be a very interesting walk.
Wednesday 13th
Panel Discussion: Community Stewardship of Trees – I’m chairing a panel discussion in Vauxhall with several expert speakers. Do join us, it will be a lovely evening!
Thursday 14th
Urban Forestry and the Arts - Connecting People with Trees – An online talk with Belfast-based tree expert Mark Johnston, a man who has spent a lifetime connecting people with trees.
Sunday 17th
Golders Hill Park’s Veteran Trees & Orchard – A leisurely guided walk in Golders Hill Park with the great Peter Coles, exploring its veteran trees, including historic oaks, mulberries and remnants of a Victorian orchard. It will be fascinating!
What a noble dude.
Can you see his face?
The moustache & eyes?!