400-year-old tree planted by James VI severely damaged by Storm Amy
King Henry VI of Scotland The 400-year-old tree planted by James was rescued by tree surgeons after it was badly damaged by Storm Amy.
The historic plane tree was planted in the grounds of Scone Palace by the 16th-century monarch and was devastated by last week’s storm in Scotland, which saw winds of up to 96 miles per hour.
Palace staff were “heartbroken” to discover the tree was “severely damaged” during the storm and vowed to do “everything possible to preserve what remains of this historic tree.”
Scone Palace said: “We also hope to honor its legacy by using the wood from the fallen branch to create something that will be a lasting reminder of its centuries of growth and resilience.”
On Wednesday, staff announced that after days of work, tree surgeons had “repaired and rebalanced” the tree’s branches.
A statement on its social media page said: “We have been deeply touched by the response to King James VI Sycamore. Today, expert tree surgeons have carefully restored and rebalanced its branches, helping to ensure this historic tree continues to be a part of our community for generations to come.”
The tree was discovered in the early 17th century by King James VI of Scotland, who later became King James I of England. It is believed to have been erected during the reign of James II.
For centuries the tree stood in the palace gardens during countless royal ceremonies, celebrations and gatherings.
The palace once housed the so-called king-making Stone of Destiny, which is still used today in the coronation of monarchs.
Storm Amy brought “extremely damaging” winds as it began hitting Ireland and the UK last Friday, with gusts of almost 100 mph recorded in some exposed coastal areas.
As the storm ravaged the country, weather warnings were issued for most of the country on Friday and Saturday, and in the north of Scotland until noon on Sunday.
Heavy rain and high winds caused more than 480 incidents across the network, according to ScotRail. On Saturday morning ScotRail said around 80 trees were down on the lines.
The operator said the worst-hit areas were the Highlands, Aberdeenshire and Perthshire, with winds reaching speeds of up to 96 miles per hour in places.
Around 550 Network Rail staff worked around the clock to repair the damage.
