World’s most endangered tree species on display at Catacol
BARONESS Annabel Goldie, MSP, opened a demonstration tree plot at Catacol on Monday, which includes the parents of the last remaining solitary tree of its kind in the world.
With the Royal Botanic Gardens (RBG) and Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) present, a collection of trees unique to Arran were unveiled.
The rare Whitebeam and Rowan trees are in a protected plot close to their wild home.
Baroness Goldie, who is the parliamentary champion for these species unveiled an information panel on the wet and windy afternoon, which explains the evolution of the species.
The Catacol Whitebeam, a critically endangered tree, is the only one of its kind in the world as a result of the cross fertilisation of a Rock Whitebeam and a Rowan tree, which cross pollinates with the Rowan tree again to produce this rare species that has been evolving since the last ice age.
As well as the RBG, whose staff on Arran are based in Edinburgh, and the SNH, the Arran Trust and the Arran Forestry commission were there to meet and greet Baroness Goldie.
Heather Mchaffie of the RBG explained the difficulty of obtaining the specimens from seeds and cuttings since the trees do not regenerate very well on their own. The propagation for this project has been ongoing since 2006.
Baroness Goldie said: ‘It is literally a precious experience to be on Arran celebrating such a precious and unique tree as the Catacol Whitebeam. This puts Arran on the international tree map and it is testament to the team effort of passionate and committed organisations.’
David Knott of the RBG thanked everyone for their contribution in making this project possible, especially Dougarie Estates for allowing the use of the plot of land .
The trees on display show three species of the Whitebeam and are in an enclosed protected area near the Catacol car park.