High Close tree trail
Originally worked a hill farm, the house and grounds at High Close were re-designed after Edward Wheatley-Balme bought the estate in 1857. Many exotic trees and shrubs were planted in this landscape garden to enhance to beautiful views of the surrounding fells. The arboretum now contains species grown as part of the International Conifer Conservation Programme. The aim is to provide suitable habitats for rare and threatened conifer species to preserve them for the future.
Tree guide
Take a look at our detailed tree descriptions here: http://bit.ly/2oQX8uf You can also scan the QR codes on the sign by each tree during your walk to access more information about the trees you'll see on your walk.
Map
Start:
YHA Langdale, High Close, Loughrigg, Ambleside LA22 9HJ. Grid ref NY338052
1
Start the trail from the wooden gates of the main YHA car park. Here you'll see two of the largest trees in the arboretum.
Wellingtonia (Sequoiadendron giganteum)
The timber of the Wellingtonia is too brittle and fibrous to be used in construction. Only around 50% of the trees cut down in the groves actually made it to the mill and some of this was just to make matchsticks. The public outcry this caused meant the groves are now protected areas and no more Wellingtonia are commercially felled in their native habitat.
2
Growing right next door to the Wellingtonia is a Sitka Spruce.
Sitka Spruce (Picea sitchensis)
Sitka spruce plantations can be seen all over the UK. Single species plantations don't tend to allow nature to thrive but these trees can be a good habitat for birds of prey like goshawks and sparrowhawks, as well as smaller birds like the tree creeper, crossbill and siskin which feed on the Sitka seeds.
3
Go through the black metal gates onto the terrace with views of the surrounding fells. Go down some steps to the left and through the black metal gates. Follow the path straight on.
Noble Fir (Abies procera)
This species is the favoured Christmas tree of Denmark because of its attractive blue-green foliage.
4
Follow the path from the Noble Fir for about 100m. On your left you'll see a small Fitzroya tree growing inside a wooden cage.
Fitzroya (Fitzroya cupressoides)
A Fitzroya tree in Chile was found to be 3,622 years old, making it the second oldest living tree species after the Bristlecone pine. This one is around 10 years old but as you can see, it's a slow grower.
5
Follow the path down the hill to the next sign, staying within the arboretum.
Western Hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla)
Western Hemlock was named after the poisonous hemlock plant. The needles were thought to smell the same as the plant, but in fact they are completely unrelated species.
6
After a few hundred meters along the path on your left is a Grand Fir.
Grand Fir (Abies grandis)
The Grand Fir is aptly named as it is the largest of all the fir species. This specimen tops out at nearly 34m (110ft).
7
Follow the arrows to lead you to the next tree to the right of the path.
Monterey Pine (Pinus radiata)
One native stand of Monterey Pine in California is a prime wintering habitat of the monarch butterfly, the insect famed for its thousand-mile migration across North America.
8
The trail now ventures into Low Wood, outside of the true arboretum. Follow the path from the Monterey Pine passing a wooden gate and follow the iron railings until you reach a second gate to take you into Low Wood. The track gets a little more rough, steep and muddy from here.
Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)
The Douglas Fir ranks second only to the coast redwood in being the world’s tallest tree. The tallest Douglas Fir currently stands at over one hundred meters tall, twice the height of Nelson's column in London.
9
Follow the Victorian carriage track down into the woodlands, arrows will point the way. There's a mix of native hazel, oak and beech with specimen conifers planted around 150 years ago.
Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens)
Redwoods have been around for nearly 240 million years. The earliest record of redwood species turns up just after the dinosaurs died out.
10
Head down the hill on the path staying within the woodlands. The next tree on the trail is a large lime on the field boundary to your left.
Small-leaved lime (Tilia cordata)
Another common name for the small-leaved lime is linden. Young lime leaves can be eaten in salads and linden flowers are made into a herbal tea called tilleul. It's also the national tree of Czech Republic and Slovakia. We've fenced around the tree to protect the roots and young shoots at the base (epicormic growth) from sheep grazing.
11
Follow the path along the fence line for 100m and take the right fork at the arrow.
Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris)
Scots Pine is the national tree of Scotland and is one of only three conifer species native to the UK. The other two species are Yew (Taxus baccata) and Juniper (Juniperus communis). All three can be found in the Lake District landscape.
12
From the Scots' Pine head up hill to the final tree, one of several Japanese Red Cedars at High Close. After this follow the arrows o guide you back to the carriage track.
Japanese Red Cedar (Cryptomeria japonica)
The timber of the Japanese Red Cedar turns dark green when it's been buried in the ground. This green wood is highly valued and used for decorative carvings.
13
Once you rejoin the track head back uphill to the arboretum. Turn left after the wooden gate will to get back to the car park below the YHA.
End:
YHA Langdale, High Close, Loughrigg, Ambleside LA22 9HJ. Grid ref NY338052