Copper Beech (Fagus sylvatica f. purpurea)
Outside Wellburn Care Home Ovington

I was planted by the farmer who used to live here in the late 19^th century. When I was a young tree the farmer had a small building next to me. As I grew, the farmer took off the branches next to the building on my east facing side. You can see the wounds of those cuts are now calloused over. I still have my many branches on my west facing side. I am now in my prime at around 150 years old. To help stabilise my great height I have grown buttresses near the ground to resist wind rock. I hope to live to an ancient age of at least 300 years. I am fortunate to be at the bottom of the valley where it is sheltered and the air is moist from the nearby Whittle Burn and river Tyne. I am on the Woodland Trust Veteran and Ancient Tree register after having my girth measured at 340 centimetres in 2024. I am also on a register of notable trees with Northumberland County Council as number 0051.