THE POLLOK WYCH ELMS. 7 



The other tree blown down (which stood at the opposite end of 

 the group) was the most vigorous of the lot, and measured 90 feet 

 long and 1 3 feet 3 inches circumference at 5 feet up, and 1 1 feet 

 10 inches at n| feet up. Unlike the former it kept one main 

 stem all its length, and had a clear bole of 23 feet, which contained 

 160 cubic feet of wood, weighing 7 tons 6 cwts. The whole tree 

 contained 450 cubic feet measurable wood, and, estimating for 

 branches as before, the cubic contents would be almost 600 feet. 

 The united total weight of the trees would amount to something 

 like 60 tons exclusive of small branches and twigs. The last-named 

 tree was not nearly so much decayed as the former, and permitted a 

 very fair estimate of their age being arrived at, by counting its annual 

 rings of growth. By this they would appear to be about 300 years 

 old. At the point where the tree was cross-cut off the root 297 

 rings were counted, but as this was about two feet from the root 

 proper, there is no doubt that the age of the trees is not less than 

 300 years. On clearing away the roots it was quite apparent that 

 the ground had been raised about the trees at some time, and as 

 there is no record of when this was done, the old measurements 

 cannot be relied on as comparisons. Very probably these vener- 

 able sylvan giants were planted and growing on the same site 

 while the land of the hills and heather was still an independent 

 kingdom, and before the Thistle and Rose had joined in partner- 

 ship. The two trees still standing look very bare and forlorn 

 without their more majestic right and left hand supporters, which 

 were much larger and by far the finest looking members of the 

 group. 



Should the members of this Society wish to have a look at 

 these remaining living links with the past it would be advisable to 

 make arrangements before many winters elapse, or instead of seeing 

 them, they may only hear of them as having gone the way of their 

 more stately companions. 



