An extra special tree for an extra special occasion
1000-year- old cedar planted at Gleneagles
An ancient tree is to become the 1000th tree planted by the Perthshire Conifer Conservation Programme.
The Japanese cedar, which is 1000 years old, will now be planted in the grounds of Gleneagles Hotel.
Bernard Murphy, the hotel’s managing director, was presented with the significant structure earlier this week.
The latest addition to the hotel’s grounds was grown at the Gokurakuji Temple above Hiroshima City in Japan, and conservationists believe the species could become threatened within the next five years.
Doug Flint, Perthshire Conifer Conservation Programme’s project officer, said: “It is only fitting that our 1000th tree comes from a 1000-year-old one.
“We are also delighted that the 1000th Perthshire Conifer Conservation Programme tree will be planted close to our first tree planted in 2008 at Gleneagles when we launched the programme.”
Gleneagles Hotel has been working with the conservation programme over the years to help create a network of landowners providing safe havens for threatened trees in their gardens and estates, with trees from across the globe including from the USA, North Africa and Chile.
Thanks to this project around 110 endangered trees are planted every year by the programme with Gleneagles donating £230,000 to support Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust which manages the initiative.
Gleneagles figurehead Mr Murphy said: “Having provided sanctuary in our estate for the first tree on this important conservation programme, we’re delighted to commemorate the success of the scheme by accepting the 1000th tree.
“We are proud of our partnership with the Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust which has allowed us to make a significant contribution The 1000th tree planted by the Perthshire Conifer Conservation Trust is given to Gleneagles Hotel. Pic: Zoe Barrie to the important activities of the Perthshire Conifer Conservation Programme and other conservation initiatives in the region, and provided the opportunity for us to play our small part in safeguarding the world’s vital natural assets for future generations.”