As a candidate for The Perfect Tree, this European beech is a prime specimen with a trunk form, canopy spread, and setting that make it quite aesthetically pleasing. Situated along a beautiful country road above Dunblane and Bridge of Allan with views of Dumyat to the south and the clean crisp air of Sheriffmuir, the setting is hard to beat.
The tree itself has a lovely gnarled trunk, complete with carvings; moss, grass, and lichen growing in its interstices; and an evenly spreading crown.
The European beech, Fagus sylvatica, is considered a “neophyte” in Scotland, a naturalized tree introduced by man after the year 1500 (as opposed to an “archaeophyte” introduced before 1500, and a “native” which is a tree such as Scots pine which grew here before people came along).
Evidence exists that beech trees did not arrive in England until 6000 years ago, 2,000 years after the English Channel formed after the ice ages, so it may have been introduced by early settlers as a food source.
Beeches also form the highest hedge in the world. North of Perth, the Great Hedge of Meikleour is a living wall of beech 100 ft high and a third of a mile long.
Take a look around The Perfect Tree and you’ll find its spiny beechnut casings on the ground, plus a myriad of wildflowers such as purple heather, soft blue harebells, yellow tormentil and buttercups, and blue devil’s bit.
This has inadvertantly turned into a series covering specimen trees in and around Stirling.
If you are interested in communing with Nature, learning about trees, or just bagging a cache give them a visit.
The others in the series are –
The Big Sycamores GC1EDN4
The Sequiadendron giganteum of Gillies Hill GC1H74Q
Sylvester, the Scots Pine GC1EDNP
The Sequiadendron giganteum of Beechwood. The juveniles. GC1H65Z
The Cedar of Lebanon GC1H94V
This one The Perfect Tree GC1FC71
The Pedunculate Oak of Touch GC1H9XD
and Sequoia sempervirens. GC1HDY4