Tall Tree at Blair Castle 'measures up'

The team at Atholl Estates is delighted to announce that a Grand Fir tree in Diana’s Grove, part of the historic landscape surrounding Blair Castle, will be climbed by a group of experts on 21st February 2009 in the hope that its height will break a record as one of the UK’s tallest trees.

A team of University Lecturers from Sparsholt College and Urban Forestry, Bury St Edmonds will visit a Grand Fir in Diana’s Grove as part of ‘The Tall Trees Project 2009’ where they will be measuring some of the tallest trees in the UK. The tree in Diana’s Grove will be included in the study which will measure two other Scottish Douglas Firs; one growing near Dunans Castle, Argyll, the other at The Hermitage near Dunkeld in Perthshire.

The results, measured in accordance with the Tree Register’s guidelines, will provide data to the Tree Register for their use. The project will record the height of these trees whilst aiming to raise awareness of the fantastic natural heritage of the UK and promoting interest in a range of tree related opportunities. Spectacular aerial photography will be administered by extreme photographer Lukasz Warzecha who will take some unique photographs of the ascents and views of Diana’s Grove.

The climbing team is qualified to a minimum of NPTC – CS 38, tree climbing and aerial rescue standard, with a total of approximately 46 years between them. All the work has been appropriately planned and will be executed in accordance with the Work at Height Regulations 2005 using friction saving climbing methods employed wherever possible to minimize the impact on the trees.

The tall tree in Diana’s Grove was last measured in 2007 and had reached a height of 63.5 metres, equivalent of the height of nearly fourteen and a half double decker buses. All eyes will be looking skywards on the 21st February to see if the Diana’s Grove Grand Fir will make it into the record books.

Blair Castle and Grounds are open throughout the winter on Tuesdays and Saturdays, 9.30am-2pm. Entrance to the Grounds, Restaurant and Shop is free until March 28, 2009 (an admission fee applies for castle tour). For further information about Blair Castle please phone 01796 481 207 or visit www.blair-castle.co.uk

Contact:
For further information please contact Ginny Lawson Tel: 0131 337 5269 / 07703 479 456.

Email: ginny@ginnylawsonpr.com