Dule Tree

Introduction

Dule or Dool trees in Britain were used for public hangings (Rodger 2006). The trees were usually growing in prominent positions or at busy thoroughfares, particularly at crossroads so that justice could be seen to have been done and as a salutary warning to others.

History

The Baronial Lords of Feudal times to execute condemned persons under their rights 'Pit & Gallows', acting as a vassal of the monarch. Feudal law has long ceased to operate and the all the trees will eventually die from old age, unless propagated by cuttings. Feudalism comes from the Late Latin word feudum, itself borrowed from a Germanic root *fehu, a commonly used term in the Middle Ages which means fief, or land held under certain obligations by feodati. ...

Surviving Examples

One of the best known Dule Trees, or hanging trees, stands within the grounds of Leith Hall, near Huntly, Aberdeenshire. This tree, a sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus), was used as a natural gibbet and a means for publicly carrying out feudal justice. The strong timber, not prone to snapping, of sycamore made this a favoured species for this purpose. Incidently, Sycamores used to be known as called 'Plane' trees in Scotland. Leith Hall dates from about 1650 and the tree was possibly planted shortly after this. A rather gaunt and heavily branched tree, the trunk measures 116cm in diameter. Huntly may refer to: Huntly, New Zealand Huntly, Scotland This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Sycamore is a name applied at various times and places to three very different types of trees, but with somewhat similar leaf forms. ... Motto: (Latin for No one provokes me with impunity)1 Anthem: Multiple unofficial anthems Capital Edinburgh Largest city Glasgow Official language(s) English, Gaelic, Scots 2 Government Constitutional monarchy  - Queen Queen Elizabeth II  - Prime Minister of the UK Tony Blair MP  - First Minister Jack McConnell MSP Unification    - by Kenneth I...

At Cessnock Castle near Galston in East Ayrshire is a dule tree, a gnarled specimen of Castanea sativa - Sweet Chestnut. There are a number of settlements named Galston: Galston, East Ayrshire, is a town near Kilmarnock in Scotland Galston, New South Wales, is a town near Sydney in Australia This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... Logo of East Ayrshire Council East Ayrshire (Siorrachd Inbhir Àir an Ear in Gaelic) is one of 32 unitary council regions in Scotland. ... Binomial name Castanea sativa Mill. ...

The Dule tree at Cassillis Castle in South Ayrshire was blown down in a great storm during the winter of 1939-40 and when the rings on its trunk were counted, it was found to be about 200 years old. A new Dule tree, grown from a cutting taken from the old one, now stands on the original site. South Ayrshire (Siorrachd Inbhir Àir a Deas in Gaelic) is one of 32 unitary council regions in Scotland, covering the southern part of Ayrshire. ...

Local History

Place names are usually a fairly reliable source of information about past events and activities, as with names such as Gallowayford at Kennox House in North Ayrshire near Chapeltoun. It is known that a gallows was situated here, however it cannot be proved that a dule tree was involved. Law Mount is a commonname for small earth mounds, frequently in prominent positions, such as the example near Lambroughton, Stewarton in North Ayrshire. Public hangings took place on these 'Laws' or 'Moot Hills', some of which are or were wooded. North Ayrshire (Siorrachd Inbhir Àir a Tuath in Gaelic) is one of 32 unitary council regions in Scotland. ... Chapeltoun is an estate on the banks of the Annick Water in East Ayrshire, Scotland. ... Lambroughton is in the old Barony of Kilmaurs, East Ayrshire, Scotland. ...

References

• Rodger, Donald, Stokes, John & Ogilve, James (2006). Heritage Trees of Scotland. The Tree Council. ISBN 0-904853-03-9

External Links

• [[1]] Leith Dule Tree
• [[2]] Johnny Faa and the Dule Tree