Trees growing at new record heights in the UK have been found on top of Scotland's Munros

Eleven new altitudinal records for certain tree types have been detected at the peaks.

New records have been set for trees growing at higher altitudes in the UK – and they have all been found on Scotland’s Munros.

Eleven new altitudinal records for tree species in Britain were detected by the University of Stirling.

These included Rowan growing at 1,150m near the summit of Sgurr nan Ceathreamhnan in West Affric, Sitka Spruce at 1,125m on Braeriach, the third highest mountain in Britain, and Goat Willow at 984m on Beinn Eibhinn.

Woodland and montane scrub on Highland hilltops were lost over thousands of years because of human activity.

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But researchers at the University of Stirling are examining how the natural treelines could potentially be restored.

Sarah Watts, one of the university’s Faculty of Natural Sciences PhD researchers, gathered evidence by scrambling up Munros – mountains in Scotland with an elevation of more than 914 metres.

Sarah Watts with a Rowan at 1,150m on Sgurr nan Ceathreamhnan (pic: Sarah Watts)

Ms Watts verified the altitude of trees using a handheld altimeter.

“I have now bagged more than 200 Munros, although I must admit I did lose count because I am more concerned with recording the distribution and altitudes of trees and other mountain plants,” she said.

“It was fascinating to find trees growing at the absolute limit of environmental tolerance for these species. Some were 200m above previously known altitudes.

“This shows us that there is potential for woodland restoration in Britain’s mountains after centuries of habitat loss and degradation.”

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Ms Watts was assisted by dozens of Munro baggers and mountaineers who sent her photographs of trees growing near summits on social media using the hashtag #highmountaintrees. She also set up the Facebook group High Altitude Trees of Britain and Ireland where members can provide information.

Ms Watts added: “These data on altitudinal ranges help us understand the environmental tolerances of plants and how climate change or land management may be influencing their distribution.

“This research will also help inform my PhD project focusing on mountain woodland restoration and conservation management to reinstate the natural altitudinal treeline.

“These high-altitude habitats have largely been lost across the Scottish Highlands due to overgrazing of livestock and deer, but can be havens of biodiversity providing benefits for wildlife and people including natural hazard protection, sheltering, and flood-risk reduction.”