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Abies Douglasii at Lynedoch
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At Lynedoch a large acreage has been planted since the
Earl of Mansfield purchased the property from the late Lord Lynedoch,
about thirty years ago. The woods at Lynedoch are not only very
extensive, but they are of great value. Here is a great silver fir,
acknowledged to be one of the finest in" Great Britain.
Here, also, are two magnificent Douglasii firs, which rank amongst the
best to be met with in this country. The silver fir is 110 feet high. It
is about 150 years old, girths 13 ft. 10 in. at 3 feet from the ground,
13 ft. 3 in. at 5 feet from the ground, has a spread of 45 feet, and
contains 425 cubic feet of timber. The largest Douglasii fir has lost
its leader, but the other one is perfect in all its proportions. They
were planted in 1834, and both reach an altitude of 85 feet. The one
girths 9 feet 10 inches at 3 feet, and 9 feet 7 inches at 5 feet from
the ground ; and the other girths 9 feet 3 inches at 5 feet.
The largest tree has a spread of branches of 70 feet, and the other a
spread of 45 feet; and the cubic feet of timber in the one is 132, and
in the other 121 feet. On the west side of the estate there is a large
track of larch plantation about fifty years of age, the seed of 300
acres of which is said to have been sown by the late Lord Lynedoch when
on horseback.
From some points of view this plantation is so extensive as to convey
the impression that the whole property is one vast forest, scarcely
anything but larch being visible within a very wide range. The forest is
in perfect health, and when it comes to be cut down will no doubt yield
a most profitable return.
Only a very inadequate idea of the value of the wood on the Lynedoch
property can here be given, and it is probable that during the earlier
lifetime of the late Lord Lynedoch, it was even more valuable than at
present, as a large tract of valuable old timber was cut down before
Lord Mansfield purchased the property. Indeed, for ten years previous to
Lord Mansfield securing the property, Lord Lynedoch and his
representatives were making sad havoc amongst the woods, cutting down
timber to the value of about £5000 per annum during the entire decade.
See also:
• David Douglas, botanist |
Sources
Sources for this article include:
Woods, forests and estates of Perthshire, Thomas Hunter
Any contributions will be
gratefully accepted
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