Lake District

Wray Specimen Tree Trail

Wray castle taken from the arboretum | © Peter Tasker

A short walk through the garden and parkland to discover some of Wray's most impressive specimen trees. The trees on this trail are labelled with their botanical names and places of origin. They are an integral part of the history of the estate so please be kind to them and don’t remove leaves or cones from the trees.

View or download a print-friendly version of this trail

Total stages: 15

Start point

From the car park, head to the front terrace of the Castle and the impressive porte-cochere (carriage porch) Before you start, take a moment to marvel at the amazing views from the terrace. With your back to the castle, you can see down to Lake Windermere, the UKs longest lake. Up from there, towering over the lake are the mountains of the Fairfield Horseshoe and Red Screes. Looking left you can see the familiar shape of the Langdale Pikes. Map shows 1 Car Park and 2 Arboretum.

Stage 1

Turn back to face the castle then head off to the right, where you will see a sign for the café. Look for a right-hand path off the track, which is signposted ‘arboretum’. As you first go up the path, the standalone tree on your left here is the first of the trail - Yew (Taxus baccata) Click below for more information.

Yew (Taxus baccata)

This Yew is not officially part of the arboretum as it is a native tree – but it is worth mentioning because we know it was planted whilst the Dawson’s lived here Yew trees can live for thousands of years and are not considered ancient until they reach 900 years old, whereas oaks are considered ancient at 400 years old. The oldest Yew in the Lake District is over 1000 years old. This yew is special for us as we have a photo of Beatrix Potter, the children’s author, next to the tree when it was quite young. Beatrix Potter holidayed at Wray as a young girl with her family and her father was an avid photographer, so we have an excellent record of the castle from these photographs. This photograph shows Beatrix Potter with her parents and brother, Bertram, and you can see the young yew in the middle of the photo! (1882)

Beatrix Potter with Family at Wray taken in 1882 — Beatrix Potter with Family at Wray 1882 | © R Potter

Stage 2

Continue up the path towards the trees. At the fork in the path look straight ahead and you will see the next tree on the trail. Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) Click below for more information.

Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)

This was planted in the Dawson’s time and is around 160 years old. Beatrix Potter mentions this tree in her 1882 diary whilst she was on holiday at Wray. Speaking with the gardener he recalled the day he planted it, she noted ‘…the old gardener planted it when it was about a foot high. Being afraid of disturbing it he simply broke the pot and put it in’ The Douglas Fir is named after David Douglas, a Scottish botanist, who brought it back to the UK in 1827 - along with other impressive trees like the Sitka Spruce and Western White Pine, and Lupin flowers.

Douglas Fir in the grounds of Wray Castle | © Peter Tasker

Stage 3

At the fork in the path take a right up the steps (for an accessible route carry on further down the path and take the path on the right which allows you to do this section in reverse) Follow the path to the canopy of the trees then look to the left. Here you will see the next two trees on the tree trail - Hiba (Thujopsis dolabrata) Click below for more information.

Hiba (Thujopsis dolabrata)

This pair of Hibas were planted by the Dawson’s, around 160 years ago. Hiba grows so slowly that the grain is incredibly fine and has been nicknamed “golden wood”. It is one of the five sacred trees of Japan and historically its timber was reserved for the Japanese royal family. It has distinctive white markings on the underside of the scaly foliage. Wray-specific interest: The lower one is a county champion. Its girth and height make it a Champion in Cumbria – 22ms height/68 D/215 Girth

Hiba tree foliage in the arboretum at Wray — Hiba tree foliage taken in the arboretum at Wray | © Peter Tasker

Stage 4

Just beyond the Hiba's on the right-hand side of the path is a cobbled floor - thought to have been an ornamental floor where a pergola-like structure stood, under which the Dawson’s would have sheltered.

Cobbled ornamental floor at Wray — Cobbled ornamental floor in the grounds at Wray | © Peter Tasker

Stage 5

Head on round the path, past the area of cobbled floor looking out for a tree cage. This is the next tree on the trail. Cut-leaved Beech (Fagus sylvatica ‘laciniata’) Click below for more information.

Cut-leaved Beech (Fagus sylvatica ‘laciniata’)

In 2021 Storm Arwen hit the UK bringing 98mph winds. It had a devastating impact in many parts of the Lake District with heavy loss of trees. The storm claimed a particular favourite in the grounds of Wray, a Fern Leaf Beech, also known as the Cut-leaf Beech (Fagus sylvatica Asplenifolia). The most notable characteristic of this lovely tree is the dark green, long, deeply serrated leaves. It was a very sad loss indeed as it was a county champion and a significant part of the tree collection at Wray and planted whilst the Dawsons lived here. A sapling of this great tree has been replanted in the arboretum in the tree cage you see here. A unique memory of the tree was created by artist and printmaker, Shona Branigan, from the Grizedale studios. Shona creates prints from tree rounds of all shapes and sizes and created a beautiful print of the Fern Leaf Beech. Shona counted the tree rings and estimated 147, giving the date of planting as 1876.

Stage 6

Continue following the path round. Just before the path forks to the left and right are two important trees to the right of the path. The first on the right is the Eagles Claw Maple. Click below for more information.

Eagles Claw Maple (Acer platanoides ‘Laciniatum’)

This was planted in the Dawson’s time, around 160 years ago. This particular specimen has been ‘grafted’ - a propagation technique whereby tissues of two separate plants are joined together and function as one. You can see the faint graft line at around 2m from the base - the raised ridge is the giveaway. In Autumn the leaves of this tree turn a bright yellow before dropping. Wray-specific interest: This tree is another Champion of Cumbria for Girth & Height – last measured in 2013

Stage 7

The tree next to the Eagles Claw Maple is also of interest, the Cocks Comb Beech. Click below for more information.

Cocks Comb Beech (Fagus sylvatica ‘Cristata’)

This tree was also planted in the Dawson’s time, around 160 years ago. This is the largest Cocks Comb Beech in Britain! It has very distinctive foliage that looks curled up. The leaves turn a fiery orange in Autumn before they drop. Point of interest: There is another baby Cocks Comb Beech in the garden… can you find it? Hint: look near the start of the trail. This is a great spot to look at the gigantic Redwoods in the distance. Can you spot them.

Cocks Comb Beech leaves at Wray arboretum | © Peter Tasker

Stage 8

At the fork in the path take the left-hand track. The next tree on the trail is straight ahead at the T-Junction. Maidenhair tree (Ginkgo biloba) Click below for more information.

Maidenhair tree (Ginkgo biloba)

This was planted after the Dawsons were at Wray and is coppice regrowth – the main trunk was cut back and what you see now is the regrowth. The ginkgo is known as a ‘living fossil’. This species is the survivor of an ancient group of trees that date back to beyond the time of the dinosaurs - and it hasn’t changed in 200 million years! The tree has a long history of cultural importance in Asia. The Ginkgo is classed as a conifer because it produces seeds by cone, but unusually for a conifer it is deciduous. The leaves are a beautiful fan shape and turn a buttery yellow in Autumn, before they drop. Point of interest: We are planting new trees to develop the collection – if you look south across the lawn, you will see a tree cage with a young Cedar of Lebanon in it (Cedrus libani). This tree features on the Lebanese flag.

The attractive shape of the Ginkgo Biloba leaf | © Peter Tasker

Stage 9

Now you are at the T-Junction take a right, following the path downhill. As the path forks left, look at the tree to the left - Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides) Click below for more information.

Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides)

Despite its size, this was planted after the time of the Dawsons at Wray. The Dawn Redwood has a legendary story. The species was thought to be extinct, only known to have existed because of fossil records. In 1943 the unusual tree was re-discovered in a secluded valley in China but misidentified at first as an entirely new species. Eventually the link was made between the fossils and this living example and news spread fast – with horticultural centres around the world clamouring for seeds. However, this proved to be a little complicated, as this discovery happened during the Second World War, and then the Chinese Revolution, which stopped any scientific and cultural exchange between China and the West for thirty years. Seeds were only reliably available from 1979, so most of the Dawn Redwoods in the West are only babies. Unusually for a conifer, it sheds its needles in Winter. The needles turn orange and bronze in Autumn before dropping.

Dawn Redwood with its beautiful coloured foliage in the Wray arboretum — Dawn Redwood with its beautiful coloured foliage | © Peter Tasker

Stage 10

Continue to follow the path down the and notice the tree on the left - Variegated Oak (Quercus robur ‘variegata’)

Variegated Oak (Quercus robur ‘variegata’)

This tree was planted by the Dawson’s and is around 160 years old. It suffered some damage in Storm Arwen in 2021 and has looked a little worse for wear over the past two years but seems to be recovering. This is a cultivated form of the Common Oak, which has lots of associated folklore and history. Druids practised rituals in oak groves and cherished the mistletoe that grows in oak-tree branches, whilst ancient kings and Roman emperors wore crowns of oak leaves. In England, the oak is the king of trees and a national symbol of strength. Point of interest: Down the slope to your right is the old Walled Garden – built by the Dawson’s it would have once housed a productive kitchen garden. After the Dawson’s sold the estate it fell into disrepair. Have a quick look through the gate and imagine the variety of vegetables and edible plants that would have grown there. We are currently planning its future.

Stage 11

Head to the bottom of the path and at the junction turn left. Take a few paces on then look left at the magnificent Giant Redwood. Click below for more information.

Giant Redwood (Sequoiadendron giganteum)

This was planted in the Dawson’s time so is around 160 years old, and although it looks huge it is only really a baby by Redwood standards. Counter-intuitively Giant Redwoods are not the tallest tree in the world – that title is held by the Coastal Redwood - but because Giant’s grow wider trunks, they are the largest based on volume. The largest Redwood on earth is known as ‘General Sherman’. The General is 84m (275ft) high, with a circumference of 31m (103ft), and is estimated to be around 3,200 years old. The species was first introduced to Britain in 1852 by plant hunter William Lobb who heard about some vast trees growing in the foothills of California’s Sierra Nevada range.

Stage 12

To the right of the Giant Redwood is the equally large Coastal Redwood. Click below for more information.

Coastal Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens)

Again, this was planted in the Dawson’s time around 160 years ago. The Coastal Redwood is the tallest tree on earth. It can grow up to 1m a year! The bark can be up to a foot thick and full of tannins that protect it from bugs, rot, and fire so it can live for thousands of years. The tallest in the world is ‘Hyperion’ which measures 115.55m (379.1ft) tall, while our tree is just 38m (125ft) tall.Some believe the botanical names for Coastal and Giant Redwood ‘Sequoia’ and ‘Sequoiadendron’ is a tribute to the extraordinary Native American man Sequoyah, who is credited with inventing the Cherokee written language in the early 1800s. Point of interest: There is another smaller Coastal Redwood in the garden… can you find it? Hint: look back toward the walled garden. Wray-specific interest: Girth Champion of Cumbria – 38ms Height/ 221 Diameter/695 Girth – measured in 2013

Stage 13

Continue along the path and (carefully) cross the road. Enjoy the magnificent Monkey Puzzle in front of you. Beware it’s sharp! Click below for more information.

Monkey Puzzle (Araucaria araucana)

The common name of 'Monkey Puzzle' was coined during the mid-1800s when someone commented that climbing the spiny, spiralling branches would be a puzzle even for a monkey. First brought into Britain by Scottish Botanist Archibald Menzies when visiting Chile in 1795, he snuck some seeds back with him and planted them at Kew. The commercial introduction of the plant wasn’t until 1842, when William Lobb brought back 3,000 exotic seeds. The world’s tallest monkey puzzle tree grows in its native Chile. ‘Araucaria Madre’ is 51m (167 feet) tall and estimated to be 1,800 years old. We can’t be sure about the age of this one but as Monkey Puzzles grow approximately one foot every year (growing a new branch every year), we can estimate it to be under 50 years old.

The spiky leaves of the Monkey Puzzle Tree in the grounds at Wray | © Peter Tasker

Stage 14

To the right of the Monkey Puzzle is a smaller, older looking specimen tree. Click below for more information.

Black Mulberry (Morus nigra)

This tree was planted in 1845 whilst the Dawson’s lived here and has quite the claim to fame. It is believed to be a gift from William Wordsworth. This is documented in a letter Wordsworth wrote to Joseph Dawson, thanking him for his medical advice for a family member. Whether Wordsworth actually planted the tree is debatable – he would have been 75 at the time! Because of this significance - we are propagating this tree by cuttings sent to the National Trust’s Plant Conservation Centre. There was a boom in growing Black Mulberries in the 17th century - King James I ordered mass plantings to encourage silkworms, which feed exclusively on the leaf, as he wanted to create his own silk industry to rival Italy and Spain. It was an unsuccessful endeavour, because silkworms actually prefer the White Mulberry.

Stage 15

Head back to the path and where it splits into three routes follow it round to the right and along to the final tree on the trail, a huge tree with bluey-coloured needles, the Blue Atlas Cedar (Cedrus atlantica) Click below for more information.

Blue Atlas Cedar (Cedrus atlantica)

This was planted in the Dawson’s time and is around 160 years old. Cedars are known for their scented wood and have distinctive barrel shaped cones that start out pale green and brown with age, they take up to two years to ripen fully. The species was first brought back to Britain by English botanist P.B. Web who discovered the Blue Atlas cedar in 1827 on a visit to Tangier, Morocco. Point of interest: To the left of the Blue Atlas Cedar is the location of the Champion Cut-leaved Beech that was blown down in Storm Arwen in 2021. Hard to imagine a magnificent tree once stood there. Instead, you can now enjoy the view down towards the lake shore.

Atlantic Blue Cedar and Mulberry Trees in the grounds of Wray castle | © Peter Tasker

End point

This is the end of the trail. We hope you enjoyed learning more about the specimen trees at Wray. We think you’ll agree this really is a special place. Extend your tour by following other trails in the grounds, through the woodland and Watbarrow wood, which is dotted with bluebells in the Spring months, or Epley head, both of which follow the shoreline of Windermere and afford great lake views.

Trail map

Map showing location of castle and arboretum | © Wray

Low Wray, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0JA

01539433250

wraycastle@nationaltrust.org.uk

Total stages: 15

Total stages: 15

Start point

Stage 1

Point of interest

Stage 2

Point of interest

Stage 3

Point of interest

Stage 4

Stage 5

Point of interest

Stage 6

Point of interest

Stage 7

Point of interest

Stage 8

Point of interest

Stage 9

Point of interest

Stage 10

Point of interest

Stage 11

Point of interest

Stage 12

Point of interest

Stage 13

Point of interest

Stage 14

Point of interest

Stage 15

Point of interest

End point

Trail map

Sign up to hear more from the National Trust