This survey was carried out in June-August 2020 by Peter Pitkin. All measurements in the following tables are rough estimates, in feet and inches. The plan indicating the position of the numbered trees was traced from the Google satellite image, 2020.
In some cases an identification is less than certain – indicated in the tables by ‘cf.’ (compare), e.g. Betula cf. pubescens. The identification of some trees, particularly the cherries, could be confirmed earlier in the year when they would be in flower or newly in leaf.
View NW from central walkway
Some observations
View NE from central walkway
There are around 40 different kinds of trees. Of these, seventeen commonly grow wild at least somewhere in the UK.
Planting There is a mixture of planted and self-sown trees. Many of the birches are likely to have been self-sown, and there are frequent self-sown sycamores. It is difficult to discern much of a pattern to any older planting. More recently, however, the oaks and Austrian pines planted around 25(?) years ago were planted in a cross-like formation in each of the four divisions of the main part of the cemetery.
The most impressive trees visually are the copper (purple) beeches, the single wild-type beech, the limes and the larger sycamores, but there are also some very attractive silver birches. The limes are the tallest, reaching around 75ft.
The limes, the beeches and the largest sycamores were very likely all planted at the same time, probably when (or soon after) the cemetery was laid out. There are four very large wild cherries (gean) which may be contemporary with them.
It is very unlikely that any of the trees are older than the cemetery itself.
177 Copper beech
078 Dawn redwood
The most interesting specimens are the silver lime (Tilia tomentosa), the dawn redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides), the field maple (Acer campestre) and the hornbeam (Carpinus betulus). All are young – probably planted around 20-25 years ago. The berberis (Berberis darwinii) is a common garden shrub, but is remarkable here for its height (c.22ft.).
There is an assortment of sycamores (though no more varied than on Bruntsfield Links and the Meadows) with three variegated trees, one resembling ‘Corstorphinense’ and a red-leaved one.
Pollarding All the larger trees, except for one notable sycamore (no.150) and perhaps the birches, have at some time been pollarded, very likely more than once. At a rough guess the last time would have been between the wars. With the birches it is much harder to tell – a few show clear signs, but generally they do not respond by producing the crop of relatively uniform vertical stems that we see for instance in the lime trees. With the trees pollarded there would have been an open view across the cemetery, so its appearance and its atmosphere would have been very different from now.
128 Beech trunk – old pollarding
147 Silver birch ID no.
Marked trees Only two trees are marked as being planted in memory of the cemetery’s occupants.
Some of the older trees bear numbered tags. There appear to be two series of numbers, both incomplete – one (probably the earlier) with five figures followed by EDC, the other with five figures followed by CEM.
A young Scots pine (No 83) has a plaque labelling it ‘The Grange Association Millennium Tree’, recording that it was planted by Roger Crofts CBE, Chief Executive of Scottish Natural Heritage on 6t6 October 1999. The plaque needs replacing.
The birches are very varied. Many of them are clearly the silver birch, Betula pendula, but with varying degrees of ‘weeping’, some of them doing so very prettily. A smaller number resemble downy birch, B. pubescens, to some degree and while I am happy that some of these are the species, others with intermediate or mixed characteristics appear to be hybrids. I have not attempted to draw that line.
In addition to the trees, several shrubs are worth mentioning. Leycesteria formosa, the Himalayan honeysuckle is plentiful and very obviously self-seeding (spread by birds that eat the black fruits). Several species of Cotoneaster (incl. C. frigidus, C. horizontalis, C conspicuus) are present, no doubt similarly introduced by birds. And in the western extension Hebe armstrongii, one of the ‘whipcord’ hebes from New Zealand, has been planted on the E-W bank, and is quite striking even though it is now getting rather old.
Note that the numbers include some immature self-sown specimens which are perhaps better described as shrubs or bushes. The smallest and scrappiest are omitted. * indicates species found wild in the UK.
(Click on below for photos)
Betula pendula
*Silver birch
50
Acer pseudoplatanus
*Sycamore
21
Betula pubescens or hybrids B. pubescens x B. pendula
*Downy birch
15
Fagus sylvatica ‘Purpurea’
Copper (purple) beech
12
Sorbus intermedia
Swedish whitebeam
11
Tilia x europaea
Lime
9
Quercus robur
*English oak
9
Ilex aquifolium
*Holly
6
Sorbus aucuparia
*Rowan
6
Pinus nigra
Austrian pine
5
P. sylvestris
*Scots pine
5
Prunus cf. ‘Kanzan’
Ornamental flowering cherry
5
P. avium
*Gean/ wild cherry
4(?5)
Crataegus monogyna
*Hawthorn
4
Acer pseudoplatanus ‘Variegatum’
Sycamore, variegated
3
Chamaecyparis lawsoniana (vars.)
Lawson cypress (varieties)
3
Taxus baccata ‘Fastigiata’
Irish yew
3
Malus x purpurea cf. Lemoinei
Crab apple, a purple-leaved variety
2
Thuja occidentalis ‘Lutea’
Eastern white cedar (variety)
2
Acer campestre
*Field maple
1
A. platanoides
Norway maple
1
A. platanoides (var.)
Norway maple, purple-leaved
1
A. pseudoplatanus ‘Purpureum’
Sycamore , red-leaved
1
___
A. pseudoplatanus cf. ‘Corstorphinense’
Sycamore, variety
1
Berberis darwinii
1
Betula pendula ‘Dalecarlica’
Silver birch, cut-leaved
1
Carpinus betulus
*Hornbeam
1
Fagus sylvatica
*Beech, wild type
1
Fraxinus excelsior
*Ash
1
M. x tschonoskii
Pillar apple
1
Malus sp.
Ornamental crab apple (? ‘Red Sentinel’)
1
Metasequoia glyptostroboides
Dawn redwood
1
Prunus, other ornamental, possible P. ‘Spire’
Flowering cherry
1
Salix caprea
*Goat willow
1
Sambucus nigra
*Elder
1
Sorbus aria
*Whitebeam
1
Sorbus cf. mougeotii
Vosges whitebeam
1
Taxus baccata
*Yew, wild type
1
Tilia tomentosa
Silver lime
1
Inventory of trees in the Grange Cemetery
Tree map v14
Numbers as marked on plan above
(Click on below for photos)
1
Fraxinus excelsior
Ash
(2 x 10ins) x 15ft.
2
Prunus (cf. P. hillieri ‘Spire’)
Ornamental cherry
Multi-stemmed 10ft.
3
Pinus sylvestris
Scots pine
16ins x 25ft.
4
Prunus avium
Gean
Multi-stemmed 10ft
Self-sown
5
Chamaecyparis lawsoniana (var.)
Lawson cypress
(c.5 x <8ins.) x 15ft.
6
Fagus sylvatica
Purple/copper beech
30ins. x 35ft.
7
Betula pendula
Silver birch
c.9ins. x 20ft.
8
Ilex aquifolium
Holly
8ins. x 15ft.
9
Ilex aquifolium
Holly
(2 x 6ins.) x 12ft.
10
Ilex aquifolium
Holly
6ins. x 12ft.
11
Betula pendula
Silver birch
(2 x 9-10ins.) x 35ft.
12
Acer pseudoplatanus
Sycamore
(3+3+4ins.) x 15ft.
Self-sown
13
Prunus avium
Gean
2ins. x 10ft.
Ailing
14
Acer platanoides (var.)
Norway maple (purple)
3ins. x 12ft.
Possibly ‘Faasens Black’
15
Salix caprea ssp. sericea
Goat willow
Bush 12ft. x 12ft.
Quite a good match for ssp. sericea – no stipules, cuneate leaf base, lvs. silvery below, etc.
01994CEM. Big: cf. 43. Once pollarded. Good specimen, but somewhat crowded by 58. Clean trunk.
60
Betula pendula
Silver birch
2.5ins. x 14ft.
Planted 2016 (in memoriam Klayman)
61
Malus tschonoskii
Pillar apple
10ins. x 20ft.
Leaning @ c.30 degrees
62
Sorbus aucuparia
Rowan
11ins. x 20ft.
63
Crataegus monogyna
Hawthorn
(4 x <9ins.) x 18ft.
64
Sorbus aucuparia
Rowan
(10ins + 8ins) x 20ft.
Healthy
65
Sorbus aria
Whitebeam
11ins. x 18ft.
66
Betula pubescens
Downy birch
25ins. x 45ft.
A good white trunk, but habit is that of B. pubescens. Twigs with sparse white (pilose) hairs and dense short glandular indumentum.
67
Betula pendula
Silver birch
15ins. x 35ft.
68
Betula pendula
Silver birch
12ins. x 30ft.
Contemporary (and in formation) with 76 and 77.
69
Acer pseudoplatanus
Sycamore
(4 x <2ins.) x 10ft
Weedy bush
70
Acer pseudoplatanus
Sycamore
36ins. x 40ft.
Once pollarded @ c.12ft – c.15 x 12ins.
71
Taxus baccata ‘Fastigiata’
Irish yew
12ft x 10ft. wide
Overshadowed and lopsided
72
Fagus sylvatica
Purple/copper beech
45ins. x 35ft.
Good spreading shape. Once pollarded at c.8ft into 8 stems.
73
Betula pendula
Silver birch
27ins. x 45ft.
74
Betula pendula
Silver birch
14ins. x 35ft.
75
Tilia x europaea
Lime
c.40ins. x 50ft
Missing a number tag
76
Betula pendula
Silver birch
10ins. x 22ft.
Contemporary (and in formation with) with 68 and 77. Badly dying back.
77
Betula pendula
Silver birch
9ins. x 15ft.
Contemporary (and in formation with) with 68 and 76.
78
Metasequoia glyptostroboides
Dawn redwood
22-26ins. x 35ft.
Well-spaced and doing nicely
79
Betula pendula
Silver birch
25ins. x 35ft.
80
Prunus (uncertain which)
Flowering cherry
38ins. x 25ft.
Possibly double-flowered P. avium, but impossible to tell when recorded in July.
81
Tilia europaea
Lime
c.40ins. x 65ft
Big – good specimen. Once pollarded @c. 12-25ft. Number tag missing. Cf. 43 and 59, but this with epicormic shoots.
82
Acer pseudoplatanus
Sycamore (variegated)
36ins. x 50ft.
Good shape. Old pollarding – c.10 @ 12-15ft.
83
Pinus sylvestris
Scots pine
14-15ins. x 25ft.
‘The Grange Association Millennium Tree’ planted by R. Crofts CBE, Chief Executive, Scottish Natural Heritage, 6 October 1999. (Plaque adrift)
84
Acer pseudoplatanus
Sycamore
40-46ins. x 50ft.
Old pollarding into 8-12 <18ins. @ 8-12ft. Small leaves.
85
Taxus baccata
Irish yew
Bush 20ft. x 16ft. across
86
Betula pendula
Silver birch
16ins. x 40ft.
87
Ilex aquifolium
Holly
4.5ft.
Recently planted
88
Betula pendula
Silver birch
24ins. x 65ft.
Good weeping form – well spaced
89
Betula pendula
Silver birch
18-20ins. x 60ft.
Tall, narrow, good weeping form
90
Betula pendula
Silver birch
18ins. x 50ft.
On bank. Good white trunk and branches.
91
Betula pendula
Silver birch
34ins. x 50ft.
Not very pendulous, but twigs without short dense indumentum.
92
Acer pseudoplatanus
Sycamore
50ins. x 50ft.
01934CEM. Old pollarding @ c.10-12ft. into c.15 x <20ins.
93
Pinus sylvestris
Scots pine
32ins @ 2.5ft. x 30ft.
c. 7 x <18ins. @ 8ft.
94
Taxus baccata
Yew
16ins. x 20ft.
Spreading – against wall
95
Ilex aquifolium
Holly
15ins @ 4ft. (into 3 x 6-8ins. @ 6ft.) x 18ft.
96
Betula pendula
Silver birch
9ins. x 20ft.
Ailing somewhat and straggly
97
Chamaecyparis lawsoniana (var.)
Lawson cypress
Bush 15ft. x 18ft. across.
98
Betula pendula
Silver birch
(2 x 6ins.) x 20ft.
99
Fagus sylvatica
Purple/copper beech
48ins. x 55ft.
Divided into 2 @ c 6ft; old pollarding @ c.8ft into 10 <24ins. Spreading: 56-60ft.
100
Thuja occidentalis ‘Lutea’
White cedar (ornamental var.)
12ft.
Neat tall pyramid. Of a pair with 101.
101
Thuja occidentalis ‘Lutea’
White cedar (ornamental var.)
10ft.
Neat tall pyramid. Of a pair with 100.
102
Betula pendula
Silver birch
(3 x c.16ins.) x 35ft.
Possibly 2 (or 3) separate trees. Trunks swathed in ivy.
103
Betula pendula
Silver birch
16ins. x 30ft.
Trunk thickly covered in ivy.
104
Berberis darwinii
22ft.
Astonishingly tall; fighting with birches and ivy.
105
Sambucus nigra
Elder
Bush 12ft. x 18ft. across.
Holly, ivy and sycamore growing through. NB: 105 and 107-110 much of a jumble growing on the bank.
106
Pinus sylvestris
Scots pine
20ins. x 40ft.
Planted below bank
107
Sorbus intermedia x 4
Swedish whitebeam
1.5-8ins. x <15ft.
Four bushes; also a hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna). See 105.
108
Acer pseudoplatanus
Sycamore
Thicket <25ft.
Includes another Sorbus intermedia (cf.107,109). See 105.
109
Sorbus intermedia x2
Swedish whitebeam
<15ft.
Also one rowan, one hawthorn. See 105.
110
Acer pseudoplatanus x2
Sycamore
<10ins. x 20ft.
See 105
111
Acer campestre
Field maple
c.16ins. @ 2ft. (into 5 x <12ins.@ 6ft.) x 35ft.
Well-spaced. Good spreading shape.
112
Carpinus betulus
Hornbeam
20ins. @ 3ft. (into 5-6 @ 5ft.) x 35ft.
Neat, narrow, somewhat elongated leaves, but C. betulus (rather than C. caroliniana) nevertheless. Well spaced, good shape.
113
Sorbus aucuparia
Rowan
(3 x 1.5-2ins.) x 10ft.
113-122 growing closely together (planted and self-sown) on the bank of the raised vault (cf.105, 107-110).
114
Betula pendula x4
Silver birch
2-8ins. x 25ft.
See 113
115
Sorbus intermedia x2
Swedish whitebeam
2/6ins. x 20ft. 3ins. x 14ft.
See 113
116
Betula cf. pendula
Birch
6ins. x 20ft.
Possible hybrid (B. pendula x pubescens). See 113.
117
Sorbus aucuparia
Rowan
(2 x 2ins.) x 11ft.
See 113
118
Acer pseudoplatanus
Sycamore
(4 x <6ins.) x 25ft.
See 113
119 (i)
Betula cf. pubescens
Birch
(3 x <6ins.) x 30ft.
B. pubescens or possible hybrid in a thicket of birch with two weedy cherries (Prunus avium). See 113
119 (ii)
Betula sp. x 5
1-6ins x 28ft.
Probably <5 separate trees: B. pubescens and B. pendula.
119 (iii)
Betula pubescens
5ins. x 22ft.
120
Sorbus intermedia
Swedish whitebeam
(5 x <6ins.) x 20ft.
See 113
121
Acer pseudoplatanus
Sycamore
11ins. x 30ft.
See 113
122
Sorbus intermedia
Swedish whitebeam
(5 x 4-5ins.) x 25ft.
See 113
123
Betula pendula
Silver birch
26ins. x 50ft.
Well-spaced, good shape
124
Betula pubescens
Downy birch
c.24ins. x 40ft.
125
Betula pendula
Silver birch
22ins. x 38ft.
Spreading, hardly pendulous
126
Betula pendula
Silver birch
11ins. x 38ft.
Straggly, crowded and ailing
127
Prunus cf. ’Kanzan’
Flowering cherry
c.25ins. @ 3ft. (into 6x <14ins. @ 5-6ft.) x 38ft.
Crowded by beech (128)
128
Fagus sylvatica (the type)
Beech
55ins @5ft (into c.12 @ 10ft. x < c.24ins) x 65ft.
Possibly the stateliest and most impressive tree. Old pollarding @ 7-15ft. Spreading to c.80ft.
129
Betula pendula
Silver birch
c. 25ins x 45ft.
A good tree; not very weeping
130
Betula pubescens
Downy birch
(3 x 14-16ins.) x 40ft.
131
Betula pendula
Silver birch
12ins. x 32 ft.
132
Sorbus cf. mougeotii
Vosges whitebeam
(4 x <12ins @ c.3ft.) x c.30ft. (into c. 8 above)
Similar to S. intermedia, but leaves less deeply lobed, darker green above, whiter beneath (vs. yellowish) and narrower toward the (cuneate) base. Abundant red fruit.
133
Pinus cf. nigra
Austrian pine
19ins. @ 3ft (3 x 5-16ins. @ 6ft.) x 27ft.
Well spaced; good shape. Planted in formation cf.138.
134
Betula pendula cf. ‘Dalecarlica’
Cut-leaved silver birch
5ins. x 20ft.
Planted in formation. Straggly – doing poorly.
135
Betula pendula
Silver birch
(3 x 3-7ins) x 25ft.
136
Fagus sylvatica
Copper/purple beech
c.45ins. x 60ft.
Good shape. Old pollarding @ 7-10ft. into c. 12 segments. Spreading to c. 70ft.
137
Acer pseudoplatanus ‘Purpureum’
Sycamore
50ins. x 55ft.
Red undersides to leaves. Good shape; old pollarding @8-12 ft into 12+ verticals.
138
Pinus nigra
Austrian pine
<14ins. x 24ft.
Planted in formation cf. 133
139
Quercus robur
English oak
c. 12ins.x 24ft.
Planted in formation cf. 133, 138
140
Malus sp
Ornamental crab apple
20ins. x 20ft.
Fruit scarlet <22mm, on short stalks; sepals not retained. Possibly ‘Red Sentinel’.
141
Tilia x europaea
Lime
<40ins. x 65ft.
Old pollarding into 8 main stems @ 8-12ft.
142
Acer pseudoplatanus
Sycamore
16ins. +18ins. x 35ft.
143
Betula pendula
Silver birch
<34ins. x 45ft.
02587CEM. Poor shape, crowded by 142.
144
Prunus avium
Gean
34ins. x 55ft.
Rather lopsided, crowded by 141.
145
Betula cf. pubescens
Downy birch
25ins. x 60ft.
146
Quercus robur
English oak
12ins. x 30ft.
Planted in formation cf. 133, 138, 139.
147
Betula pubescens
Downy birch
26ins. x 40ft.
Spreading. 00081EDC; 02594CEM.
148
Betula pendula
Silver birch
24ins. x 50ft.
149
Prunus cf. Kanzan
Flowering cherry
c.30ins. @ 3ft, (leaning at c. 45 degrees) x 25ft.
Divides into 4 x <18ins. @ 4ft,
150
Acer pseudoplatanus
Sycamore
<c.56ins. x c.75ft.
Forks @ c.15ft into 3 main segments. Less obviously pollarded than others.
151
Fagus sylvatica
Purple/copper beech
40-42ins. x 50ft.
Good spreading shape, ?uniform with 154, 155. Old pollarding @ 10-12ft. into c.15 x <24ins.
152
Betula pubescens
Downy birch
Multiple <3ins. x 15ft.
153
Betula pendula
Silver birch
(2 x 3/4ins) x 15ft.
+ other stems <1in.
154
Fagus sylvatica
Purple/copper beech
40/42ins. x 50ft.
02621CEM (tag on the ground). Old pollarding @ c.10ft into c. 10 stems <20ins. Perhaps uniform with 151,155.
155
Fagus sylvatica
Purple/copper beech
36ins. x 45ft.
00036EDC. Perhaps uniform with 154, 151 but foliage not quite as dark. Old pollarding @8-1ft. into 8-10 x <20ins.
156
Acer pseudoplatanus
Sycamore
Multiple <2.5ins. x 18ft.
157
Betula pendula
Silver birch
36ins. x 50ft.
02612CEM. Good shape but not notably weeping. Probably pollarded @ c.10ft into 10 x <18ins.
158
Betula pendula
Silver birch
32ins. x 65ft.
Good weeping form
159
Betula pubescens or possible hybrid
Birch
16ins. x 42ft.
00071EDC. Twigs shiny and sticky with short glandular hairs. Trunk with unfissured bark. Crowded by adjacent beech. Possible old pollarding (into 6) @ 9-10ft.
160
Betula pendula
Silver birch
32-35ins. x 55ft.
Good spreading shape, moderately weeping.
161
Tilia x europaea
Lime
50ins. x 75ft.
02615CEM. Old pollarding @ c.12ft into >10 x 24ins. V. good shape; few epicormics
162
Tilia x europaea
Lime
<25ins. x 45ft.
Old pollarding @ c.8ft. into c.7 x <15ins. Poor specimen, crowded by adjacent sycamore.
163
Acer pseudoplatanus
Sycamore
c.45ins, x 50ft.
Old pollarding @ c.8ft into 5 x <24ins. and above into 10+. Good spreading shape.
164
Acer pseudoplatanus ? ‘Corstorphinense’
Sycamore
c.45ins. @ 2ft. (into 3 @ 5ft. x 32,18,18ins.) x 50ft.
Into 5 stems @10ft. Small pale leaves slightly speckled/mottled.
165
Betula pendula
Silver birch
32ins. x 55ft.
Moderately weeping, rather one-sided. 00076EDC; 02614CEM
166
Pinus nigra
Austrian pine
11ins. x c.20ft
Planted in formation cf. 133, 138, etc. but overshadowed and overcrowded by two sycamores.
167
Quercus robur
English oak
12-13ins. x 32ft.
Planted in formation, cf. 139, 146, etc.
168
Pinus nigra
Austrian pine
16-17ins. x 27ft.
Planted in formation, cf. 133,138,166, etc.
169
Fagus sylvatica
Purple/copper beech
40ins. x 45ft.
Pollarded @c.7ft.(and again above) into c.12 x <18ins.
170
Crataegus monogyna
Hawthorn
Bush 14ft x 21ft. across
171
Acer pseudoplatanus
Sycamore
c.5 @ 5ft. x <9ins. forming a bush 30ft. x 30ft. across
172
Tilia x europaea
Lime
Sprouted stump forming a bush 10ft. x 12ft. across
Stump diameter c. 40ins.
173
Acer platanoides
Norway maple
36-42ins. @ 3ft. (x2 @ 5ft) x 55ft.
Pollarded @ 8-12ft. into c.15 x <10ins. Some (relatively few) leaves reddish.
174
Tilia x europaea
Lime
<48ins. x 65ft.
Pollarded @ 7-12ft. into c.10 x <18ins. Some epicormics at base, plus self-sown holly.
175
Betula pendula
Silver birch
30ins. x 65ft.
Lopsided, crowded by 174. With large, split hanging branch and some smaller dead branches.
176
Tilia x europaea
Lime
<50ins. x 65 ft.
Pollarded @ 8-12 ft into c.8 x <20ins, and @c.15ft into c.12. Some epicormics at base.
177
Fagus sylvatica
Purple/copper beech
36-38ins. x 60ft
Pollarded @ 6-12ft. into a leader + c.7 main stems <24ins. Green tag embedded, number not visible.
178
Acer pseudoplatanus
Sycamore
40-42ins. x 60ft.
Pollarded @ 8-12ft into 4 main stems, then above into c. 10. Lopsided and crowded against 176, 177.
179
Quercus robur
English oak
9-10ins. x 42ft.
Planted in formation cf. 167. Drawn up by shade/crowding from 176,177.
180
Acer pseudoplatanus
2 sycamores (both multiples)
Each c. 20ins. at base x 45ft.
Two together c.10 @ 5ft x <10ins, forming a thicket with 181.
181
Acer pseudoplatanus
3 sycamores
3 stems <10ins. 2 stems <4ins. I stem 16ins. x 40ft.