Larch cone collecting possibly in Strathord Forest or nearby

Date Added: 14 October 2022 Contributor: Norman Davidson Year of Photo: 1966 Picture No: 5479

The images are courtesy of Michael Lawrence of Bankfoot whose grandfather, Sandy Rose, was Forester and Head Forester at Ledmore Forest Nursery from Nov 1949 (when land was acquired) until his retirement in 1969. In 1966 the nearby Strathord Forest was brought under his charge.

A fit and able young worker complete with planting bag has made his way up a good quality larch tree and hand gathering cones from the high level branches. There is no indication of the total tree height or of a ladder to get to the lowest branch that would comfortably bear his weight. The cones gathered by one hand would be placed into the bag while the other hand and arm is hooked around the trunk for safety.

Perhaps not the normal way today!

Can the young man be named?

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Groups: Forestry Areas, Forestry in Action, Tools, equipment and clothing

1 Comment

The background landscape looks, inasmuch as it can be seen a bit like Craig Vinean at FC Dunkeld on the R and Birnam Hill on the L. That would place the 'intrepid' tree-climber on the Duke of Atholl's estate on the lower slopes of Craig a Barns behind the Dunkeld House Hotel. That Atholl was renowned for its larch would perhaps provide some support to this speculative identification.
I can't help with the identification of the climber I'm afraid...long before my time. Comment left on 31 March 2024 at 22:08 by John Burrow

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