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This fascinating article says it all really –
“Bruce's tree gets hi-tech rescue” by Jim McBeth of The Scotsman
SCIENTISTS using the latest sonic imaging technology have found a way to rescue the King’s Tree, one of the most significant natural landmarks associated with Robert the Bruce’s wars of independence.
Experts and historians had feared the ancient yew, an image of which was worn on the clothing of the Bruce’s army at the Battle of Bannockburn, was doomed.
Until now, the technology did not exist to establish if the tree, which overlooks Loch Lomond, could be saved.
However, The Scotsman and Roddy McGregor, one of Scotland’s leading tree experts, arranged for Ian Isaacs, the business development manager of Fujikura Europe, to come north with ultra-modern equipment, which has only been available for months, to create the first internal picture of the tree.
The world’s most sensitive electronic sensors, connected to the Picus Tomograph, a "holy grail" of imaging technology, were stretched around the 2,000-year-old yew, which is regarded as an irreplaceable national treasure.
In 1306, the tree became inextricably linked to the future king when he used it as the means to rally his twice-defeated army after it had escaped from the eastern to the western shore of the loch.
The Picus sensors’ readings established that more than half of the tree is decayed.
But the good news is that there is enough life in the yew to ensure survival if remedial work is carried out on the tree and the surrounding area, in order to allow more light to feed it.
At the site, near Inverbeg, Mr Isaacs was able to "see" inside the King’s Tree and the Picus Tomograph showed 58 per cent of the yew is decayed.
However, after analysing the findings, Mr McGregor, of Argyll Arborists, on the Isle of Mull, said: "That decay does not necessarily indicate the tree is doomed. Some love and care and a lot more light could ensure it continues to be a natural treasure.
"The heartening news is that the yew can practically be left alone apart from some small work. The focus should be on the surrounding trees, to clear a path for light, which the yew needs.
"It will have to be done incrementally with the effects of the work being gauged against improvement in the yew."
Using a small hammer, Mr Isaacs drove non-invasive pins, each electronically attached to the software, into the bark of the tree.
As the 12 sensors relayed back information, the software’s digitised voice guided him around the tree, confirming that readings were being transmitted to his laptop to produce a circular internal computer map.
Mr Isaacs said: "The image is ‘painted’ in different colours; brown equals areas of good wood; green is wood of lower density; purple is much reduced density and blue represents cavities.
"Sound travels faster through good wood and slower in degraded wood.
"Around 58 per cent [of the tree] is decayed, but 21 per cent is good, and the remaining percentage indicates less degradation."
John McQueen, a senior warden with the Loch Lomond and Trossachs national park, who was monitoring the event, added: "The tree can survive, but more light would be beneficial."
Ian Coleman, the landowner who "owns" the tree, is now hoping to join forces with the Friends of Loch Lomond and the national park to organise the remedial work.
He said: "I’m delighted and grateful to Fujikura and The Scotsman for helping. We did not know what to do, but we wanted to ensure the survival of an historic landmark. However, until now, we couldn’t get the definitive diagnosis."
The yew was ancient even in the Bruce’s time, when it found its place in turbulent history.
The future king and his guerrilla force of 200 were running from two defeats, the first against the Earl of Pembroke at Methvenwood and then at Dalrigh by McDougall of Lorne, seeking vengeance for the death of the Red Comyn at the Bruce’s hand.
The Bruce’s force had to escape by crossing Loch Lomond in a leaking boat capable of accommodating only three men at a time.
The Bruce, Sir James Douglas, and an oarsman were first across, and it took 24 hours to ferry the remaining warriors. As each contingent arrived, the Bruce stood under the tree raising the spirits of his men with songs and jokes. He used the yew to symbolise their struggle, extolling its strength and ability to endure.
Eight years later, the Bruce won independence at Bannockburn, and many of his fighters wore a depiction of the yew. The King’s bowmen also used arrows harvested from yew trees on Loch Lomondside.
Mr McGregor added: "It’s ironic that the technology of tomorrow has proved beneficial to something venerable and ancient. The Bruce would be happy his legacy lives on."
The tree is beside Stucan-T-iobairt Cottage.
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