The Trees of Rosemount Park

Introduction

The aim of this leaflet is to guide the reader on a journey through the trees of Rosemount Park. The collection is moving towards completion, with Scottish native specimens augmented by naturalised, choice exotic and ancient types of trees, whilst retaining the existing character of the park.

History

The park was part of the land of Rosemount House with some of the trees dating back to this time. During the 20th century it was part of a dairy farm. Importantly, it also contains the Friars Well, the source for the town’s Cross Well. Nearby there is archaeological evidence of occupation in the Neolithic /Bronze Age period, including the finding of a bronze spearhead. Next to the park is Rosemount Wood which is the site of the Carmelite Friary (c1280-c1560). Hidden away on the south side of the Union Canal, the park covers an area of about 3 hectares and contains in the region of 300 trees. Being within the Upper Linlithgow Conservation Area, this gives some legal protection for the trees.
There is a line of mixed conifer and deciduous trees along the western side of the park, with a Sycamore dating back to c1800. Some large old specimens feature in the centre of the park, including Beech, Oak, Sycamore, Ash, Lime, Horse Chestnut and a Field Maple. Also to be found are two small copses containing large conifers and deciduous trees, with attractive Scots pine and Corsican pine as well as tall Silver Birch and Whitebeam. There is an impressive line of pink and white flowering Cherries and a relatively recent planting of Limes, Red Oak and Field Maples. Nearby is the location of the lost arboretum of Rockville but there is still an impressive Cedar of Lebanon, as well as a Swamp Cypress, visible from the park.

Further Planting 

In recent years, Rosemount has lost some magnificent beeches and other old trees. In the Autumn of 2019, West Lothian Council replanted these lost trees.
In the light of the already impressive collection of Scottish native trees, numbering over 30 types, Burgh Beautiful has continued to progress to completion of the park’s collection to feature alongside some non-native, but naturalised specimens. The arboretum now contains three of the eight rarest trees found naturally worldwide. The Wollemia nobilis, regarded as critically endangered and only discovered in 1994, Maidenhair tree (Ginkgo) and the Monkey Puzzle, helping to conserve these species.
Mindful of conserving the character of the park, including the sledging runs, considered additional planting to complete the park as a community arboretum is taking place. This involves planting a small number of primitive and long-lived trees such as the Gingko, Dawn Redwood and Giant Sequoia. Additionally, there is a small number of exotic and ornamental trees being planted which give the park a member of each of the tree families. Further trees include other long-lived specimens together with the need for succession planting of trees such as Ash and old Scots Pine which, in time, will be lost. An evergreen Holm Oak, suitable for a changing climate, has been planted to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. This will in time, replace a nearby Ash which will be lost to disease.
Selected examples of the trees are labelled to include both the scientific and common names, together with their origin. Some of the examples carry temporary labels until they are large enough for the standard label.
The canal-side Rosemount Park is known as a ‘hidden gem’ of Linlithgow and provides both an environmental and educational resource.
By reference to the list at the end of the leaflet, you are invited to take a stroll round the park, commencing at the Paper-Bark Birch at the entrance off Friar’s Loan (Friar’s Brae) and following a clockwise direction, finishing at the Maidenhair Tree (Ginkgo).
West Lothian Council and Buglife are developing areas of wildflower meadows with a mix selected for being nectar-rich. The recent installation of an interpretive panel in the Park adds to educational opportunities and appreciation of both wildflower and insect identification.

Triangle Community Wood & Tree Sponsorship

A further Burgh Beautiful tree project is underway at Kettlestoun Mains, west of the Leisure Centre. Almost 1,400 trees have been donated by the Woodland Trust and, with the help of members of the public, planting took place in the Autumns of 2019, 2020 and 2021. Maintenance work will continue to protect the trees from deer and to establish pathways.
A Tree Sponsorship project was launched in late 2020. Funds raised are shared between Linlithgow Community Development Trust (a charity including Transition Linlithgow) which leases the land from West Lothian Council, and Burgh Beautiful (part of Linlithgow Burgh Trust). A promising uptake from the local community allows further planting and maintenance for the benefit of future generations.
If you would like to help with any of our activities, please contact Burgh Beautiful http://lbt.scot/burgh-beautiful

THE TREES OF ROSEMOUNT PARK, LINLITHGOW – 2022

* Denotes temporary label 

CLIMATE CHANGE MATTERS, WITH TREES AND WILD FLOWERS BEING INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT