Rutherglen Old Parish Church: The Churchyard Tree

©2018 by Rutherglen Heritage Society.

St. Mary's Tower and the tree pictured in June 2018

On Sunday 22nd. July 2018, a large aspen tree in the churchyard of Rutherglen Old Parish Church was cut down and removed on the orders of South Lanarkshire Council. The Council had agreed with the concern expressed by local amateur historian, David Jackson, that if the tree, or indeed any of its large boughs, blew down in high winds, that considerable damage could be sustained by the nearby St. Mary's Tower, erected c. 1500, which formed part of the medieval church. David initially expressed his concern about the tree to Claire Haughey, MSP who in turn, took the matter up with the Council.

Tree stump and St. Mary's Tower, 25th. July 2018.

Old Parish Church in the background

Although it seemed a shame to see an otherwise healthy tree in full leaf being cut down, if it had blown over, given the way it was leaning, it would in all probability have badly damaged, the A-listed St.Mary's Tower, which contains a 17th. century Dutch-made bell. New trees will be planted in the churchyard to offset the environmental loss of the aspen.