Cromarty Archive

Elm Tree at St. Ann's - soon to be felled

Elm Tree at St. Ann's - soon to be felled

Date Added: 20 August 2012 Contributor: Colin Dunn Year: 2012 Picture No: 3186

Sadly, this is a view you won't be able to see for much longer. The roots of this fine-canopied Elm tree have apparently sprung and it is now a danger to nearby buildings, so it is due for careful felling in the near future. Hopefully a smaller tree will be planted there soon to fill the gap.

A post-felling photo will be added later so you can see the before and after.

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6 Comments

Having lived under this Scots Wych Elm for 30 years now I for one will not be sorry to see it come down. Apart from the nuisance that a tree that size causes to nearby buildings, through seeds and leaves chocking gutters, I've yet to be convinced that mature trees like this add rather than detract from the street-scape of a town like Cromarty.

However have no worries about its replacement. It's been a particularly fecund Elm in all the time I've lived in Cromarty, and Harry's Garden has a number of self seeded replacement's - one a few yards away - already racing to replace the parent.

There is also a native woodland in North Sutherland, next to my Parents Croft House, that has benefited from 30 years of self seeded elm's being transplanted there from the Garden of Albion House, planted under elderly Wych Elms also reaching the end of their natural lives.

Hugh Fife's 1978 book "The lore of Highland trees" had a fasinating chapter on the Wych Elm and the trees relationship with Cromarty and the Northern Black Isle.
Comment left on 26 August 2012 at 21:09 by Calum Davidson
Have made many items of furniture in Wych Elm over the year. There is a beautiful green veining running through the timber that shows well - more colour than English Elm. Have lived at no.62 in the 50's/60's and remember a smallish tree there. Comment left on 27 August 2012 at 11:50 by DSM
This page and photograph was brought to my attention on Wednesday. Mr Dunn is clearly privy to more information than I am. If he could tell me when and how the tree is to come down I would be delighted.

I find Calum Davidson's comments altogether more pertinent, sincere and helpful. If and when the tree comes down - and to help Mr Dunn get over his sadness - I will gladly give him a sapling to put in his garden. I think DSM is right too, I gather the wood is very good for carving - I once saw a big spoon.
Comment left on 14 September 2012 at 07:13 by Harry Dedecker
Hi Harry. I'd been told the tree was to come down by the partner of the tree surgeon you'd asked to cost the job. Is this incorrect, and the tree not due for felling?

As to Calum's comment, it may indeed be more pertinent (though I strongly disagree with his opinion) but not more sincere ;). Thanks for the offer of a seedling, but I currently have no space to fit one in my small garden between my existing rowan, elder, serviceberry, hawthorn, plum, cherry and apple trees.
Comment left on 14 September 2012 at 09:47 by Colin Dunn
What was the reason for building these houses Back to back? Was this to keep out the snow? Maybe there was a shortage of land closer to the sea Comment left on 29 April 2013 at 20:50 by Fiona Moreland
The cream coloured house had a good sized garden that extended to small cottages on the shore road. The white coloured house sat in an area not much bigger than it's footprint. Comment left on 27 January 2016 at 12:02 by DSM
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