Ancient tree 'one of UK's best'

[Rosemary]

[FONT=&quot]An ancient Perthshire yew has made the top 10 in a list of the most important trees in the UK.[/FONT] [FONT=&quot]Local legend has it that Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor who oversaw the crucifixion of Jesus, was born in its shade and played there as a child. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]The Fortingall Yew, which grows at a churchyard near Aberfeldy, could be up to 5,000 years old and is thought to be the oldest living organism in Europe.[/FONT][FONT=&quot]It is heading a list of 22,000 trees being compiled by the Woodland Trust. [/FONT]

It’s always good to hear stories like this. That’s a very old tree indeed and may it last a lot longer!

 

[Dave]

Local legend has it that Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor who oversaw the crucifixion of Jesus, was born in its shade and played there as a child.

That Continental Drift has a lot to answer for!

More seriously, there are some very old trees in Britain. I've seen this one myself:
The Capon Tree Jed Forest, Jedburgh- Images By John Peters

They have seen and experienced more than any other living thing on the planet.

 

[The Ace]

Yes, the most cursory glance at history shows the Pilate story to be pure, unadulterated bulls*t, but that doesn't stop the credible swallowing it, or queueing up to see the bed where MacBeth killed Duncan.

 

[Vladd67]

or queueing up to see the bed where MacBeth killed Duncan.

Please tell me you are joking.

 

[Talysia]

I love to read stories like this. To think that some of these venerable old trees have stood firm whilst history flowed around them. Hopefully it'll be standing firm for a good while yet.

 

[Nesacat]

True or not I too love reading stories like these. Probably explains the love for Fantasy. Having always been fond of old trees is always good to see them being appreciated.

 

[TheEndIsNigh]

I can't believe that in my short existance that this is the first time I've heard this rumour regarding good old PP.

If it's true then surely this gives a bright new interpretation of Jeruselem (song) and it's adoption as the national anthem should be automatic.

 

[Vladd67]

If not Pontius, I bet Burns walked there.

 

[AE35Unit]

Hmmm i wonder if thats one of the Yews mentioned in Meetings With Remarkable Trees. Some big impressive trees in that book!

 

[Ursa major]

[FONT=&quot]Local legend has it that Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor who oversaw the crucifixion of Jesus, was born in its shade and played there as a child.[/FONT]

Can we at least hope that there isn't a sign on its trunk claiming that it's the bole in which Pilate washed his hands?