A perfect learning environment. . .

This week saw the return of students from SRUC Arboriculture course on the Crichton Estate to learn about tree identification amongst the circa 1073 botanical tree collection of trees across the Estate.

With glorious autumn sunshine (or a late summer as some may consider it) the students led by Prof Hugh Morris reviewed trees across the estate, their identification, age and health, all being part of the learning.

Its wonderful to know that since some of the first trees were planted back in 1839 that each continuing generation can experience this Estate for all.

An for those more keenly eyed, see the Araucaria Araucana above, or more commonly known as the Monkey Puzzle Tree.

These ones have an estimated age in excess of 120 years. While the monkey puzzle tree is a common sight in large gardens and parks in the UK (thanks to those Victorians), it’s now classed as an endangered species in its native habitat. Human interference in the form of heavy logging, forest fires and grazing from introduced animals has taken a heavy toll on the trees. So we are pleased to be able to host a few of these rarer trees on the Estate