Austrian Pine
One of our most interesting local trees is a forked Austrian pine (Pinus nigra var. nigra) on Camus Avenue which was condemned by a Millers planning development in 1990. It was ultimately saved by a local community effort which included assistance from an expert at the Botanics, and involved changing the road line of Camus Avenue.
Our pine grows close beside Comiston House which was built in 1815. At this period the grounds of Comiston Estate around the new house were also landscaped and planted up with native and other trees. Although the Corsican pine (Pinus nigra var. calabrica) was introduced to the UK in 1759, the type variety (i.e. Pinus nigra var. nigra) was first sent out by Messrs Lawson & Son, the Edinburgh Nurserymen in 1835. (Observer's Book of Trees, 1937, Page 189). This fine example must be one of the first Austrian pines planted in the UK.
Louisa Maguire
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