Scottish Arhoricidtural Notices. 175 



Art. V. Scottish Arboricultm-al Notices, hy Mr. Gorrie, Mr. Dor- 

 tvard, Mr. Young, and Mr. Bishop. Communicated by Mr. Gorrie. 



It is only in very few instances that I have been able to obtain 

 satisfactory information respecting the precise age, or period of 

 introduction into Scotland, of exotic timber trees. I'he sizes of 

 many hereafter stated, in a climate in no way remarkable for pro- 

 ducing rapidity of growth, will afford a criterion of age, where 

 dates cannot be supplied. The walnut seems to have been a sort 

 of favourite about 150 years ago: a number of trees of that age 

 surround what was once the manor garden in the village of Rait, 

 on this estate. They measure from 2 ft. 6 in. to 3 ft. in diameter, 

 and from 54 ft. to 60 ft. in height; and bear regular crops of 

 ripe fruit every year. At Castle Menzies, the seat of Sir Neil 

 Menzies, about 18 miles north-west from Dunkeld, the boles of 

 walnut trees seem to be of larger dimensions ; as will be seen by 

 the following extract from a letter kindly sent me by Mr. James 

 Dorward, dated Castle Menzies, Jan. 26. 1835. Here I may 

 remark that the circumference, and not the diameter, of the 

 trees is mentioned : — 



Girth. Height. 



Walnut - lift. 5 in. 55 ft. 



Silver fir - - 12 4 94 6 in. Branches extend 53 ft. 



Norway spruce - 10 10 84 



Weymouth pine 8 7 53 



Red cedar - 6 IJ 41 



Tulip trees - 10 6 45 



Poplar - - 11 5 105 Does not say what species. 



Willow - - 16 3J 90 10 



Larch - - 12 2| 92 3 



Spanish chestnut 19 9 74 Branches spread from 70 ft. to 80 ft. 



Horsechestnut - 9 2| 77 



Sycamore (samel 21 ini g^ /Branches extend over a diameter of 

 place) - -J I 101ft. 



Besides the above exotics, Mr. Dorward mentions that some 

 oaks measure from 70 ft. to 89 ft. in height, and about 14 ft. 7^ in. 

 in circumference ; and some fine beeches, nearly the same size. 

 Some English elms are 9 ft. 10 in. in girth, and 86 ft. 4 in. in 

 height; and some Scotch pines, 10ft. 6 in. in girth, and 89 ft. 

 5 in. in height. He does not specify the ages ; but says, from 

 tradition, that " many of them are older than the present castle, 

 which was built 254 years since." 



At the right side of the river Tay, and close to the west end 

 of the bridge of Perth, stand a few fine trees of the Lombardy 

 poplar, measuring 10 ft. in girth, and from 75 ft. to 80 ft. in 

 height. In a letter from my friend Mr. Young, he informs me 

 that " they were planted by the late James Richardson, Esq., of 

 Pitfour, when about ten years of age ; so that the trees will 

 have been sixty-four years planted." Several other trees of the 

 same species, and apparently of the same age, stand on the east 



