Glasgow Top 5 places to Visit

Scotland’s Trees

If there is one thing about Scotland’s landscapes, people, trees and animals it is that they are all so incredibly diverse and unique. Not only does each tree have a story, history but they also have some very practical uses for our environment. When you are out and about in your motorhome there is always the opportunity to learn something new or make a learning environment. Knowing about the trees around us can help preserve and protect them for future generations. 
 
Conifers are cone-bearing and usually are found to have needles for leaves. Scotland provides an excellent environment as they thrive in colder conditions. They provide excellent resources for timber harvesting as they are fast growing. 
•    Corsican Pine Trees are extremely fast growing. They live an incredible 500years and can reach heights of up to 27 metres tall. The main uses back in the 1700s for these trees were railway sleepers, however they were not deemed to be long lasting unless they are preserved with coating, they are now used for telegraph poles or made into very useful plywood. 
•    The Douglas Fir is perhaps better known and they grow incredibly tall at 60metres. The tree was named after the Famous botanist David Douglas. The local primary school in scone Robert Douglas Memorial School is also named after this amazing man and in the grounds are some prime examples of the Douglas Fir. Again, these magnificent trees live up to 500years and the bark is an amazing red/brown colour. The main uses of these trees are for paper pulp and also some furniture. If you are heading from our Scottish Tourer depot up the A9 you will pass the hermitage this is a wonderful walk and here there are two incredible examples of Douglas Firs, one is located next to the Dunkeld Cathedral and has a trunk girth of 7 metres! 

•    The Scots Pine is the national tree of Scotland and it is the native from the Caledonian Pine forests. This remarkable tree is able to regenerate in really poor quality soil. These beautiful trees live 300 years and mature to a height of around 36 metres. These trees are utilised for a various building projects such as ship masts, furniture, fences, paper pulp and building. 
•    The Yew Tree is also native to Scotland. They have lovely red fruits and bring that bit of colour to the forests. These huge trees are very common in churchyards and can live up to 5000 years. The seeds from this tree are poisonous to both humans and cattle. 

Broadleaf Trees have wide leaves which are lost in the Autumn although there are a few exceptions to this such as Holly which is an evergreen. Timber from these trees is hardwood as they grow so slowly.
•    Rowan Trees are found up in the mountains which is more unusual than all the other native trees to Scotland. These trees carry some superstitions such as planting them in places where they can ward off witches. These beautiful trees with red berries give a good diet for hungry birds in the Autumn. Years ago the berries were harvested into a drink high in vitamin C to treat scurvy.
•    The mighty Oak tree lives to 800 years old and they can reach up to 30 metres in width which is quite magnificent. They are perhaps best known for the acorns they produce at around 50 years of age. The timber from this incredible tree is used for timber frames, buildings and the tannin used in leather making. These trees are so versatile and almost every part can be used for something including the sawdust for smoking foods such as salmon.

•    The Sycamore Tree is another beautiful tree to look at. This timber was often used in kitchens as the wood doesn’t taint food and  stays soft and smooth in appearance. The seeds almost appear to fly when they fall to the ground with these winged pairs. They live around 200years, however they are a pest to horse owners who need to clear the fields as the seeds are poisonous to the horses when ingested. 
•    Wild Cherry Tree is unique as are the red berries and white flowers they produce. They are found in many woodland areas and make a lovely addition to any walk. Birds love these seeds and often strip them as soon as they are produced. The white flowers produce a lovely scent. 

Scotland needs both Hard and Soft wood, although we only produce a small amount of the timber we need. The woodlands in Scotland are really special and should be given the time on your holiday with Scottish Tourer.