Inchture - sites of interest
Giant redwoods (Sequoiadendron giganteum)
The giant redwood is the largest tree in the world. It can reach a height of over 350 feet and live for more than 3000 years. The largest redwood now standing is the ‘General Sherman’ tree in Sequoia National Park in California. It is said to be the largest living thing on earth with a trunk weighing over 1385 tons and is around 2500 years old.
The Inchture trees were the first ever giant redwoods to be introduced and planted outside of their native California. They were grown from seed sent to a well known local fruit grower, Patrick Matthew of Gourdiehill, by his gold panning sons in 1853. Matthew gave saplings to friends and neighbours and many of the original trees can be found throughout the Carse.
As part of its 10th Anniversary celebrations, Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust (PKCT) launched its new Giant Redwoods Project, to record and protect Perthshire's unique collection of giant redwood trees, at Inchture on 9 March 2007. Children from Inchture Primary, along with members of the local community, planted two giant redwood saplings, one in the school grounds and the other at the west end of Main Street. PKCT gifted the trees to the school as part of the Giant Redwoods Project. Click here to read more on the Perth & Kinross Countryside Trust website.