150 



SYLVA SCOTICA. 



THE ASH AT CARNOCK. 



This beautifully luxuriant tree — 



" far spreading his umbrageous arm," 



almost embraces the venerable mansion near which 

 it stands. It is the property of Sir Michael Shaw- 

 Stewart, and is supposed to be the largest in Scot- 

 land, even when measured at the smallest part 

 of the trunk. Its dimensions in July 1825, at the 

 time that the drawing of it was taken, were as 

 follows: — ninety feet in height; thirty- one feet in 

 circumference at the ground ; nineteen feet three 

 inches, at five feet from the ground ; and twenty- 

 one feet six inches, at four feet higher up. At ten 

 feet from the ground it divides into three large 

 branches, each of which is ten feet in circum- 

 ference ; and their length is twenty-seven, twenty- 

 eight, and thirty feet. The solid contents of the 

 tree are six hundred and seventy-nine cubic feet. 

 It was planted about the year 1596, by Sir 

 Thomas Nicholson of Carnock, in Stirlingshire, 

 Lord Advocate of Scotland in the reign of James 

 VI. It is at the present period in full vigour 

 and beauty, combining airy grace in the light- 

 ness of its foliage and the playful ramifications 

 of its smaller branches, with solidity and strength 



