Recent storms and heavy rain claimed one of the oldest known planted trees in Ireland, a slow-growing spruce believed to have been close to 270-years-old.
Saturated ground followed by root failure and moderate winds caused the tree planted in Tollymore Park near Newcastle in Co Down to keel over.
The Picea abies ‘Clanbrassiliana’ was planted around 1750, part of the arboretum of trees and plants put together by the Hamilton family in the second half of the 18th century.
“Following recent heavy rainfall the ground surrounding the tree had become saturated, and the tree fell due to root failure in moderate wind conditions,” according to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).
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“As far as we are aware the initial planting in the Arboretum was carried out by the Hamilton family who owned Tollymore from 1700s until 1798.”
The fallen tree has been removed, with only the stump remaining. The Forest Service did note damage to the park was not as bad as was feared might happen prior to the sweeping storms.
Tollymore is one of the oldest known arboreta in Ireland.
