Tallest Tree Geocache
A Douglas fir in Dunster Forest, Exmoor, is confirmed as England's tallest tree
With thanks to the Trail creator .. Andy Player of the Crown Estates for making the ‘trail’ possible for everyone.
The trees were all planted by George Fownes Luttrell (the then owners of the Estate) as an arboretum in 1876 following the major refurbishment of Dunster Castle in 1872. The Castle, Grounds, & Views are wonderful.
The tree, near Dunster, was climbed by Arboriculture student Laurence Parker, from Sparsholt College in Hampshire, who measured it at 197ft (60.02m). "This has been the champion for a few years now, the climb has just confirmed our laser measurements and was the reason the climbers went there.
Mr Parker took two hours to climb the tree as part of an organised and supervised Sparsholt College tree climbing practical session.
When he had climbed as high as he could a 5m pole was held so that it touched the top. A 328ft (100m) tape measure was then dangled to the ground. The result has been verified by the Tree Register, which also confirmed that the Dunster Estate is home to England's tallest magnolia tree, right next door to the tallest tree. They also climbed a Douglas fir in Argyll and named it the tallest tree in the Great Britain at 209ft (63.8m).
APRIL 2009
Click below for further great info before you go to find it ….
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/somerset/7975130.stm
http://somerset.greatbritishlife.co.uk/article/andrew-player-of-dunster-estate-shows-somerset-life-the-tallest-tree-in-england-exmoor-17522/
http://www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/dunster-tall-trees-walk.pdf
Do check out the Web Sites above.
TO WALK TO THE TALL TREES FROM DUNSTER .. A lovely walk over Pack Horse Gallox Bridge. through the wood to the trail. Takes an easy couple of hours for the round trip.
BY ROAD.. Through Dunster towards Timberscome. Take 1st road (narrow) on the left to Luxborough. Park at Nutcombe Bottom Car Park just past the cottage. Great wheelchair access to co-odinates but not to the actual cache box.
NOTE: Hint is more accurate than coordinates under the trees