The Covin Tree, Bemersyde, Melrose

• Species: Sweet Chestnut (Castanea sativa)
• Height: 12.6m
• Diameter: 252cm
• Age: 500 - 800 years
• Grid Ref: NT 593 334

Info

The Covin Tree has long been a feature of Bemersyde, appearing in many paintings of the house including a sketch by Turner, located in the British Museum, London. The tree is thought to have been planted in the 12th Century by Petrus de Haga, making it 800 years old. Although the original trunk has now died, layers were taken by Earl Haig in the 1950's resulting in several new healthy stems rising from the base. One of the layers, planted about 30 meters from the original, is growing into a fine looking individual. The old rings that can be seen in the branches of the original Covin Tree were once attached to concrete weights which aimed to balance the trunk - in its younger days the tree was twice as high as it is now.

Access

Bemersyde gardens are open from approximately mid April - mid October with opening indicated by a sign outside the gates to the house. The Covin Tree is in front of the house, on the right hand side of the lawn. Visitors are welcome to walk round the gardens which host a number of other interesting trees and several paths down to the river. The avenue of beeches was planted by Field Marshal Haig in the 1920's and the Giant Redwood is thought to have been planted by Arthur Balfour Haig. There are also a number of rare trees gifted by the Royal Botanic Garden in the 1950's. Opening times are 10am to 4pm and car parking is in a field to the left of the drive. There is an admission charge of £2 per car.