It’s not that other UK trees are making a sprint for growth to unseat the newly-crowned Stronardron Douglas Fir in Argyll. But students at Sparsholt College in Hampshire, have been inspired by the staff team from the College who have just climbed and measured a series of candidates for the title of UKs Tallest Tree, producing the winner in Argyll, as reported last night. They can’t wait to get involved and are now keeping their eyes open around the UK for possible contestants yet unmeasured.

The College is every bit as thrilled with it own achievement in getting the official winner as Argyll is to have it. Today it issued a Press Release which is so full of the energy of the occasion it can speak for itself.

‘A team of five tree climbing arborists have been successful in their search for the UK’s tallest tree. The Stronardron Douglas Fir in Argyll is now officially the tallest tree in the UK after it was measured at 63.79 metres on 19 February as part of the Tall Trees Project 2009.

‘The project, which involved measuring four of Britain’s tallest trees, was organised by Mark Tansley, Lecturer and Course Manager for the National Diploma in Forestry and Arboriculture at Sparsholt College Hampshire, who spent several months planning the expedition. “I was hugely relieved to get the first tree climbed and measured” said Mark. “Once we had one tree under our belts I knew that it was going to be a successful trip”.

‘Mark was joined in his search for the UK’s tallest tree by fellow Sparsholt College lecturer Steve Woollard, Lukasz Warzecha, an international award winning extreme photographer and lead tree climber for an arboricultural company in Edinburgh, Justin Palmer, NPTC assessor/SRT instructor and retailer for Safety Technology in South Wales and Chris Hunter, lead climber for Urban Forestry in Bury St Edmonds. “I’ve been climbing trees for 17 years and have never tackled anything so tall, challenging and rewarding” said Chris. “They were truly breathtaking trees set in breathtaking locations. Every one was worth the visit on its own.”

‘The new British champion tree was closely followed by the Diana’s Grove Grand Fir at Blair Castle, which was measured at 62.70 metres. Both trees beat the previous UK’s tallest tree, the Dughall Mor Douglas Fir at Inverness, which the team measured at 62.02 metres. Standing at 61.31 metres, the Hermitage Douglas Fir at Dunkeld came a close fourth.

‘The team set out on 18 February to measure the four trees, all located in Scotland, that were chosen in conjunction with the Tree Register who administer and keep records of the UK’s tallest trees.

‘Although the primary aim of the project was to record the height of the trees, they also hoped to raise awareness of the fantastic natural heritage of the UK and promote interest in a range of tree industry related opportunities.

‘ “We were met by interested and enthusiastic people wherever we went who did everything in their powers to make the trip a success” said Mark. “We definitely managed to raise the profile of tree climbing and arboriculture as a career with the people who saw us climbing live and the trip has generated a phenomenal amount of interest.”

‘Both Mark Tansley and Steve Woollard are planning to involve their students at Sparsholt Collegein searching for some of England’s tallest trees. “The students are really interested in the project and can’t wait to follow it up” said Mark “We’ve got a few leads as to where some previously unmeasured tall trees may be growing and we’ve been invited to Somerset to measure the tallest tree in England. It should be a fantastic practical task for the students to climb and measure them.”

‘The Tall Trees Project 2009 was sponsored by STIHL, an internationally renowned manufacturer of chainsaws and garden power tools, who provided specialist high performance clothing and helmets for all the climbers.’

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