Page:TheTreesOfGreatBritainAndIreland vol02B.djvu/250

 To Face Supplementary Plate No. 369.

plate shows a remarkable instance of witches' broom, growing on a larch, which I first heard of from Col. Malcolm of Poltalloch, Argyllshire, to whom I am much indebted for the photograph. This tree grows in a wood called Bar-na-sluid, about two miles from Poltalloch, at perhaps 200 ft. above sea-level, and is believed to be 60 or 70 years old. When I saw it in September 1911, it appeared to be quite healthy, and was about 48 ft. by 5 ft. The dense mass of twigs forming the witches broom was about 15 ft. wide and 10 ft. deep. A stunted spruce grew close to the base of the tree, which was cut away in order that the photograph might be taken.