40 NOTICES OF REMARKABLE TREES IN NORTHUMBERLAND. 



the nortli-east 3 ft. 6 in.; and on the north-west 5 ft. 8 in. 

 The tree then has another stage 7 feet high, and another set 

 of branches similar in character, hut not so large, and more 

 numerous. About 10 feet higher there is another set of branches, 

 which reaches to the top of the tree. For many years this tree 

 was called a cedar, and in summer when in leaf it bears a very 

 strong resemblance to one. Its circumference on the ground 

 is 14 feet, and one yard high it is 9 ft. 10 in. 



It is worthy of remark that very often there is some fine tree 

 to be found near a clergyman's house on glebe land — such as the 

 larch at Stamfordham, the thorn at Houghton-le-SjDring, the 

 willow at Morpeth Eectory gate (which I have not yet had an 

 opportunity of measuring), the silver firs at Hartburn, and 

 others which at present escape my memory. What makes me 

 think that my tree at home is a distinct species is, that on 

 the side of a pond at Wallington, near the house, are four fine 

 larch trees, two of which grow like my tree. The largest growwS 

 very near the water, on a piece of rich alluvial soil. On the 

 south side the tree has not had fair play, having been switched 

 by a beech, which has entirely destroyed the branches on that 

 side, but those on the north and east sides are very large, 

 branching about 10 feet up the bowl, and feathering quite to 

 the water edge ; at the ground this tree is 14 ft. 6 in., and 

 11 ft. 1 in. one yard above. Near this tree is another larch, 

 with a clean bowl of 40 feet; it is in girth 12 feet at the base, 

 and 10 feet one yard high. These trees were planted about 

 1730 or 1735, and it is not unlikely that the owner of Walling- 

 ton in those days may have made a present of the then rare 

 tree — larch, to the then vicar of Stannerton. The Dunkeld 

 larches were imported about 1727. 



Oak, Qaercus, — It only remains for me to describe the oaks 

 of Northumberland. Whether the climate has altered so much 

 as to affect the growth of these trees it is impossible now to tell, 

 yet the trees occasionally met with underground are of a very 

 gigantic nature, compared with what we now have. I can re- 

 member one tree of this description being found at Linden, above 



