The Hungryhill Wood Pine Traditional Cache
Scottiedogz: Visited GZ tonight to check on the cache & it has disappeared in amongst the tree which has fallen down & been cut into logs. No point in replacing it as it looks as if the landowner will be returning to collect the logs and the area looks different to when we hid the cache originally. A shame as this was a great fun cache to make & hide, & we enjoyed watching cachers finding it.
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We have managed to visit interesting and special caches on significant milestones. To celebrate placing 70 caches we wanted something different and special that others could get as much pleasure from, as we have had.
The something ‘special’ is a cache which celebrates the discovery of a miniature Pine tree which has become known colloquially as “Tiny Piney”; Pinus Leomnphoebi.
The location of the mother tree (in a prominent position) has been kept a closely guarded secret (until now).
A friend of ours at Stirling University Dr Phil Beemoon discovered the ‘mother tree’ 20 years ago, when he was undertaking his PHD on Environmental Radioactivity.
Phil discovered that the microwaves from a nearby communications mast had caused some of the pine cones to mutate. The seedlings produced Pine trees which failed to mature. These seedlings were then genetically modified by the team at Stirling University to produce a miniature Pine Tree. It was originally developed to provide a fast growing source for pine-tree smell to be used in the fragrance industry but in very little time its usefulness in other areas became obvious. The tiny frail Pine has a concentrated but subtle pine aroma. Anyone who has used car air fresheners from Magic Tree ® will have used the extract from these pines.Their latest aroma in the Forest Fresh range adding a new dimension to in-car freshness is noted to have a hint of orange.
When we phoned Dr Beemoon to ask his permission for this cache he told us that there had been lots of disappointment along the way as often happened in those early days of genetic engineering particularly issues with “paralysed root life”.
When they finally managed success it was announced to the scientific world as 'Tiny Piney' as it was such a beautifully simple aesthetic concept. The Pine Oil from this genus is up to 10 times stronger and the small size allows greater density in planting. Pure 'floral poetries'.
Pine Oil has many other benefits too.
It is used in aromatherapy, as a scent in bath oils, as a cleaning product, and as a lubricant in small and expensive clockwork instruments. It is naturally deodorizing, and antibacterial. It may also be used varyingly as a disinfectant, massage oil and an antiseptic.
In this current age of eco-concern and global waming, a welcome by-product is that the Pines absorb huge amounts of Dihydrogen Monoxide.
Scottish Pine Oil is in huge demand and is extremely important for the local economy.
The cache is a 35mm film container. It is placed as close as we could get to one of the few original remaining ‘tiny pines’.
If you are not finding it, the cache does exist but the GPS coverage in the forest is poor. The cache IS in view but very well camo'ed.
Use the directions below to help.
As you approach GZ, the mother tree will become obvious. With your back towards the tree, follow the drystane wall along the track to a gate. 8 fence posts down is an old rotten standing Pine. The cache is located behind this tree. To avoid climbing the fence go through the gate and find an easy way into the forest and backtrack to the tree.
EXTREME CARE is needed at the cache site to avoid disturbance of the frail specimen. Dr Beemoon has specifically requested NO photography please at this sensitive site.
Please replace the cache exactly as found. Thanks.
*Congratulations to Geoarab on being First to Find*
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Orybj ebbgf bs Cvar.