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Viewing swaag.org website implies consent to set cookies on your computer. Full details Swaledale and Arkengarthdale Archaeology Group
Registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation Number 1155775
SWAAG Honorary President:
Tim Laurie F,S,A,

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 *****SWAAG_ID***** 949
 Date Entered 16/09/2016
 Updated on 17/09/2016
 Recorded by Tim Laurie
 Category Tree/Shrub Record
 Record Type Botanical HER
 Site Access Public Footpath
 Record Date 15/09/2016
 Location Arkle Beck Pastures. Small west bank tributary stream.
 Civil Parish Reeth
 Brit. National Grid NZ 0260 0105
 Altitude 233m
 Geology Small stream cut ravine.
 Record Name The Arkle Apple tree.
 Record Description This fine wild apple tree (Malus domestica) now laden with small ripe red fruit (not the small green fruit of the true crab which are <20mm diameter) has the appearance of a small orchard rather than a single fallen apple tree. Who it was that threw their apple core with the pip that germinated at the roots of an even older alder on the side of this small beck, we shall never know. I suspect that this apple which has the taste of crab and clearly has crab apple genes, may be the descendent of the tree that provided apple tart and cider for the early Swale shepherd family whose sheiling homestead (Database record to follow)can be seen in the nearby pastures of East Rawcroft.
 Dimensions 2.60m girth
 Additional Notes The three conjoined trunks (stems) of this apple tree rise from the very edge of this small tributary stream of the Arkle. The three trunks of this apple grow immediately below the roots of an even older coppiced alder tree (to be recorded separately). The three stems conjoin to form a pollard which has fallen across the stream. The apple tree appears first to have been coppiced to throw up three stems, then pollarded at a height off around 2m from the original ground. Finally, after developing a full canopy of mature fruiting branches, the tree fell across the stream but remained rooted. Today, all the fruiting branches are more or less prostrate and supported from the ground surface of the nearby meadow forming the structure of this very large tree. In the future, I have no doubt that several of the branches of this tree will themselves root where in contact with the ground and will be able to throw up new trees if and when the existing rooted tree is washed out by flooding. Thus this tree is capable of indefinite existence.
 Image 1 ID 6901         Click image to enlarge
 Image 1 Description Approach to the Apple which grows on the beck side close to the public footpath.
 Image 2 ID 6910         Click image to enlarge
 Image 2 Description Detail of the fallen apple tree and alder at the stream side.
 Image 3 ID 6908         Click image to enlarge
 Image 3 Description Ancient alders and one very old self sown apple tree line this small tributary to the Arkle.
 Image 4 ID 6909         Click image to enlarge
 Image 4 Description The Arkle Apple
 Image 5 ID 6911         Click image to enlarge
 Image 5 Description The fallen apple, detail.
 Image 6 ID 6912         Click image to enlarge
 Image 6 Description Canopy of the Apple
 Image 7 ID 6913         Click image to enlarge
 Image 7 Description Rowan and alder at stream side
 
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