The Tree Register has released details on some of the tallest trees in the UK, and one surprise was the location of the tallest Scots pine. It isn’t in Scotland but is located on the grounds of one of the National Trust’s properties in Northumberland. The staff members of Cragside are a little surprised but are thrilled at having the accolade.

Cragside, situated near Rothbury is a country estate which features extensive gardens and woodland and the Scots pine tree is thought to have been planted in the second half of the nineteenth century and was measured at a very impressive 131ft (40m). This type of conifer tree is native to Northern Europe and is found in great numbers in Scotland’s Caledonian Forest, where it is mainly used as a source of timber.

However, four of the tallest trees in the UK are in Scotland, and all actually are growing in the same glen. Reelig Glen, near Inverness, is home to the UK’s tallest tree, a Douglas Fir at a height of 217ft (66.4m). This takes the record from another Douglas Fir in the same glen, and also becomes the tallest conifer in Europe as well. The area contains the tallest larch, Norway spruce and lime trees at heights of 157.5ft (48m), 154.2ft (47m) and 150.11ft (46m) respectively.

The large majority of the trees within the glen were planted in the closing decades of the nineteenth century, with the trees forming a grove of the largest concentration of trees anywhere in the country that all exceed 180ft (55m). The local environment is certainly an advantage with some of the cleanest air and rich soil conditions in the country. Although many of the staff are beginning to wonder if there isn’t something special in the waters of the Moniack Burn too.

So if you enjoy a walk in the woods, why not plan a trip to either one or both of these locations but remember to put a packable waterproof jacket in your bag. However, they still have a little bit to go to catch up with the tallest tree in the world, a great sequoia in the USA which stretches to an overall height of 379.1ft (115.5m).