Lonesome cherry tree in search for friends

OFFICIALLY, it is one of the loneliest trees in Britain. For just a single cherry tree is recorded as growing in the whole of the Scottish Highlands, say experts.

Incredibly, a database of British cherry trees has only one tree listed in the vast area – growing on the banks of Loch an Eilean near Aviemore.

The Woodland Trust's Ancient Tree Hunt wants to find locations of Britain's oldest wild examples – as well as large domestic specimens.

The organisation has asked people in the Highlands to help find cherry trees in their area to add to the database.

But the only tree currently listed in the Highlands was recorded in 2007.

A spokeswoman for the trust said it was noted by a walker.

"There must be many more in the Highlands – but we rely on the public to tell us. That is why we have launched this project."

Project manager Edward Parker said the species can be found on the edges of woodland and hedgerows and has a brilliant white blossom.

Until 2008, Yorkshire had the UK's largest wild cherry tree – almost 19ft in girth – but a freak storm snapped the tree's crown.

It is hoped the findings will allow researchers to map the trees and find out if changes in climate are affecting their flowering.

The survey will include the nine varieties of cherry trees growing in the UK.

Cherries have a very short growing season and flourish in temperate latitudes. They reach their harvest season in July in the UK.