Timber... Elm tree in the Queen's Edinburgh palace garden' faces the axe over danger fears

A huge Elm tree, on the grounds of the Queen’s official Scottish residence, is set for the woodcutter’s axe over fears the rotting giant could fall and cause ‘personal injury’ to passersby.

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Expert tree surgeons have determined that the elm, situated in the north garden of the sprawling Palace of Holyrood estate, has fallen victim to ‘widespread and advanced decay’ - made more dangerous by its location in a ‘high risk and busy area’ of the gardens.

The garden is used by the Queen to entertain around 8,000 guests every year at the palace, and Scottish residents who have been recognised in the biannual Honours List receive their awards in the estate’s Great Gallery.

The Palace of Holyrood garden is a haven for flora and fauna

READ MORE: New public garden opens at the Palace of Holyroodhouse with nod to its historical roots

Now, Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has applied to Edinburgh City Council to cut down the embattled Elm.

A report, commissioned by HES and produced by Hamilton-based firm Informed Tree Services, reads: “Tree 342 is a mature wych elm (Ulmus glabra).

“This 25 metre tall tree arises from the southern edge of a small woodland block, within the gated grounds of the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

An Elm tree (Woodland Trust)

“Tree 342 is unsuitable for even short-term retention. It should be removed to near ground level within 6 months.

“I have rarely, if ever, seen such widespread and advanced decay at the base of a vigorous mature tree.

“I was so surprised at the results of the first reading (at 100mm above ground) that I took a second reading (at 500mm) to verify the first. The second reading, again, showed advanced and widespread decay.

“The previous tree inspector should be commended for noting the external signs of significant internal decay and for recommending further investigation.

The Palace of Holyroodhouse

“However, they also went on to recommend a crown reduction. Unfortunately, I feel a crown reduction would not adequately control the risks posed by tree 342.

“The reduction pruning would cause, quite severe, physiological stress and would, therefore, simply favour the development of the butt rot fungus. Tree 342 would become a more susceptible host.”

The report further highlights a specialist tomograph image of the tree, ‘clearly showing that a tree of several tonnes is being held aloft by two thin strips of intact wood, to the north and south-east.”

A spokesperson for HES said: "Concerns were raised about the health of the tree during our annual survey and we followed this with specialist testing to assess the extent of the identified decay, hoping to save the tree and monitor it annually.

"Unfortunately, the decay was extensive and advanced, with only two pillars of intact wood remaining and supporting the whole tree.

"As the tree is situated in a high risk and busy area, we have had to take the difficult decision to fell the tree for safety reasons."

READ MORE: Queen's Garden Party: Palace announces 2021 Holyroodhouse Garden Party cancelled

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