Birnam Oak facts for kids
The Birnam Oak is a very old and famous tree found in Birnam, Perth and Kinross, Scotland. It's a type of tree called a Sessile oak (Quercus petraea). Many people know it as "Macbeth's Oak" because it's believed to be a part of the ancient Birnam Wood, which is mentioned in William Shakespeare's famous play, Macbeth. This amazing tree stands on the south bank of the River Tay.
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Discovering the Birnam Oak
The Birnam Oak is a truly impressive sight. Its trunk is about 5.5 metres (18 feet) wide, which is super big! It has huge branches that spread out far and wide. To help these heavy branches, special supports have been put in place. These supports stop the branches from breaking off under their own weight.
How Old is the Birnam Oak?
Nobody knows the exact age of the Birnam Oak. However, by looking at how wide its trunk is, experts guess it's around 600 years old. This means the tree was already very old and strong when Shakespeare might have visited Perthshire in 1589. Imagine, this tree was alive centuries ago!
A Famous Scottish Tree
The Birnam Oak is so special that Forestry and Land Scotland lists it as one of Scotland's most famous oak trees. It's a popular spot for visitors who want to see a piece of history and nature combined. It reminds us of ancient forests and classic stories.
The Birnam Oak and Shakespeare
The connection between the Birnam Oak and Shakespeare's play Macbeth is what makes this tree so legendary. In the play, there's a prophecy that says Macbeth won't be defeated until "Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane."
Birnam Wood in Macbeth
Birnam Wood was a large forest near Dunsinane Hill. In Shakespeare's story, soldiers cut down branches from Birnam Wood and carry them as camouflage. From a distance, it looks like the whole forest is moving towards Macbeth's castle. This event helps to fulfill the prophecy and leads to Macbeth's downfall. The Birnam Oak is thought to be one of the last remaining trees from that famous wood.
