Trees in Princes Street Gardens

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East Princes Street Gardens

Original elm tree

Ulmus x hollandica 'Major'

In the 1840s three rows of elm trees, two along the top terrace and one at the top of the middle embankment, were planted. This elm is thought to be one of only three remaining elm trees from this time. Most of the old elms have now been replaced with limes during the 1989-92, following losses to Dutch elm disease.

Image of the Original elm tree east princes street gardens

Image courtesy of Capital Collections

Quercus ilex

Quercus ilex

An attractive evergreen tree.

Image of the Quercus ilex in east princes street gardens

 

Weeping ash

Fraxcinus excelsior pendula

This attractive weeping ash forms the centre point of the bottom lawn in East Princes Street Gardens. This is the best known of the common ash cultivars, widely planted during the Victorian era, it grows vigorously forming an attractive small to medium size tree with mounds of weeping branches.

Image of the weeping ash in east princes street gardens

Image courtesy of Capital Collections

West Princes Street Gardens

Robert Louis Stevenson memorial grove

Betula Pendula

The Robert Louis Stevenson memorial grove was created in 1999 in tribute to one of Scotland's favourite writers and poets. Designed by Ian Hamilton Finlay with Benjamin Tindall, architect, it comprises a column base on carved pedestal set in a grove of birch trees, approached along a line of stepping-stone flags

Image of the Robert louis stevenson memorial grove in west princes street gardens

 

The Chinese Birch Tree

Betula albo-sinensis

Planted to remember those who died during the Chinese rebellions of 1989.

The Dawyck beeches

Fagus sylvatica 'fastigiata'

Three beech trees planted in memory of the former garden superintendants who resided in the Gardeners Cottage during the 1930's and 1940's; Mr Docherty, Mr White and Mr Grant.

Image of The dawyck beeches

 

The Edinburgh Urban Forest woodland

Betula pendula, Pinus sylvestris

100 native Scottish trees were planted on the Castle Bank in 2000 to commemorate all the community woodlands planted in Edinburgh as part of the Edinburgh Urban Forest Project funded by the Millennium Forest for Scotland.

Image of the edinburgh urban forest woodland

Image courtesy of Capital Collections

The Northern Ireland Peace Tree

Metasequoia Glytostraboides

Planted on 14 May 1977 to launch the Derry Bus Appeal.

Image of the The northern ireland peace tree in West Princes Street Gardens

Image courtesy of Capital Collections

The United Nations 40th Anniversary Tree

Prunus subhirtella 'Autumnalis'

Planted in October 1985 by the then Lord Provost Dr John Mackay to mark the 40th Anniversary of the United Nations.

image of the United Nations 40th anniversary tree in West Princes Street Gardens

Image courtesy of Capital Collections

The Weeping Ashes

Fraxcinus excelsior pendula

One of ten attractive weeping ash trees which run along either side of the main path in the west gardens. This is the best known of the common ash cultivars, widely planted during the Victorian era, it grows vigorously forming an attractive small to medium size tree with mounds of weeping branches.

Image of the Weeping Ashes in west princes street gardens

Image courtesy of Capital Collections

The Workers Memorial Tree

Carpinus betulus

This tree was planted in memory of workers who die as a result of work related illnesses and accidents. Workers gather every year on the 28th April to mourn for the dead and fight for the living.

Image of the workers memorial tree in west princes street gardens

Image courtesy of Capital Collections

Wheatley elms

Ulmus x sarniensis

One of six stunning wheatley elm trees which line the northern boundary of the park adjacent to Princes Street. These tall conical shaped trees come into leaf very late compared to other trees (sometimes as late as May) and hold their leaves well into the winter. Unfortunately, like most elms in Britain, they are succumbing to Dutch Elm Disease. The City of Edinburgh Council carefully monitors these trees and removes any showing signs of the disease.

Image of the wheatley elms in west princes street gardens

Image courtesy of Capital Collections