Birnam Oak

The Birnam Oak is an example of Sessile oak (Quercus petraea) at Birnam, Perth and Kinross, Scotland (grid reference NO032421). Sometimes known as Macbeth's oak, as it is a relic of Birnam Wood, mentioned in William Shakespeare's play, the tree is found in a strip of woodland on the south bank of the River Tay.[1] The trunk is 5.5 metres wide and its large spreading branches have latterly been supported on a number of struts to prevent them from collapsing under their own weight.[2] The tree is listed as one of the Forestry Commission's Heritage Trees.[3]

References

  1. ^ Magnusson, Magnus (2000), Scotland: the story of a nation, HarperCollins 
  2. ^ Pakenham, Thomas (1997), Meetings with remarkable trees, London: Phoenix Illustrated 
  3. ^ "The Birnam Oak", Forestry Comission: Heritage Trees, http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/INFD-6U8FL9, retrieved April 29, 2011