The Great Caledonian Pines


 

There are a few places in Scotland were you can visit and see what the great forest of Caledon must have looked like when it covered most of Scotland. I am very lucky to live near one of them, Glen Affric in the Scottish Highlands. This area of lochs hills and forest with good stands of old Caledonian Pine has a special

 

 

feel about it words cannot describe accurately. The single track road winding round sharp corners and over small bridges lead you into a area of great natural beauty with a new breathtaking panorama at every bend. The great pines line the hillsides and the loch shores each one with its unique form and character. The old pines can attain ages of 300 years plus! I personally can vouch for this as I had the opportunity of counting the annular rings on a cross section of a old tree. I gave up at 300 thinking well that's old enough for me. Looking at the rings gives you a insight into the climatic conditions of the past and it is interesting to note growth spurts and periods of slow growth. Indicators to forest fire and tree damage show up clearly and the healing process that followed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The old pines are now protected from commercial felling and a active protection and regeneration program exists. This is in the main managed and run by Forest Enterprise along with Tree's for Life and various other organizations. Non native species to the area are being gradually removed and reintroduction of native species such as Birch and Rowan along

 

 

 

with saplings grown from seed collected from the pines will restock the area to its former glory. Some of the old pines distort with age and it is these tree's which are commonly referred to as granny pines, no disrespect meant! There huge limbs curving and twisting out from the trunk are a sight to be seen and remind us how clever nature is. Its funny but even to a woodworker its these tree's that appeal most visually and not the clean un tapered bole of a perfect specimen. The old pines lay down vast amounts of resin within the heartwood once they pass a certain age and you can see on some tree's resin oozing out of a scar or damaged area. This is the tree's natural way of protecting the damage from insects and fungal attack, while the new wood growth covers the scar. Foresters surveying ancient woodland have told me about old caleys they have come across that showed were local people used to hack into the heartwood to remove slivers of timber to use as fire lighters, the high content of resin assured a quick start to the fire. The beautiful rust color of the bark and the multi-layered
texture peeling away with new growth contrasts wonderfully with the long delicate green pine needles in the canopy, oh there just great! A real insight into Scottish history, and natures magnificence.
Come and see them for yourselves!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Timber of the Caledonian Pine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The timber of the Caley pine looks exactly what it is, that is old and mature. Heavy with resin and the scent of pine , this timber does not need stains and distressing to look old it is. The nearest similarity would be to Honduras Pitch Pine but Caley Pine has a unique character all of its own and should be recognized as such.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trying to mill a 4 foot diameter tree with a 2 foot saw, this pine
which was felled because of being a roadside danger proved
tricky to convert into boards. Note the heavily fluted end
section on the left. At 300 years + old this is to date
the oldest timber I have had the pleasure to
work.











 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks to:-

Forest Life Picture Library For there kind use of superb photos of Glen Affric.
*
George Macarthy (local forester)
*
Sandra Paul (local forest ranger)
*
Isabel Cameron (official forestry photographer)
*
for there help and enthusiasm and professional in-depth knowledge.