Cranmore, Belfast, is the site of some of the oldest chestnuts – sweet or Spanish chestnut Castanea sativa. They are just off the Malone Road next to school playing fields owned by the Royal Belfast Academical Institution (Inst). The school was founded on the inspiration of a Belfast man, John Templeton, who is perhaps better […]
King Williams’ Chestnut
The link between King William and sweet chestnut is strongest at Scarva House in County Down. In front stands a magnificent sweet chestnut, larger than the Cranmore trees and slightly younger. The story is that when King William stayed here his horse put a foot on the young tree (suggesting that it was newly planted […]
An Avenue of Cedars
The avenue leading into Tollymore Forest Park in Co. Down must be one of the best known sights of Northern Ireland’s forests. The two rows of lovely Deodar Cedar with their various shapes of trunk and branches provide a grand approach to Tollymore, most visited of all the forest parks. As the avenue of cedars […]
Tree Tunnels
Roadside trees can form complete tunnels, meeting in an archway over the carriageway. The lower twigs are kept trimmed by lorries passing underneath. Beech are much used for hedges in South Antrim, often planted above a stone wall in a hedge and bank style. They line one section of the road near Dundrod, used as […]
Farmer’s Trees
Some trees are evocative of time and place for a particular time of life or special event. Student days for many young farmers are associated with agricultural colleges: Enniskillen and Loughry have fine trees, but the most mentioned tree was the copper beech at Greenmount. There were two copper beech, both planted when the original […]
The Frosses Pines
Travelling along the roads of Northern Ireland, certain trees or groups are immediately recognisable. On the road north from Ballymena heading for Ballymoney or Ballycastle, are some of the most loved pine trees. They line the road on both sides in two sections and stand like sentinels, overlooking the roadway. The pines are growing in […]
The Wesley Yew
This yew Taxus baccata europeaus is beside a delightful small historic house on the outskirts of Derriaghy. The original entrance steps and pillars lead into the front garden, and beside them is the Wesley yew. It can be seen without entering this private garden. It is known that John Wesley preached here on 16th June […]