A Carnoustie community group has carried out work at the site of one of the most important trees in Angus.
Colourful Carnoustie has been working at improving the area around the Dibble Tree in the town.
The 220-year-old tree in Ferrier Street is said to mark the founding of the town in 1797 and was granted a tree preservation order two years ago.
The tree is said to have grown from a garden planting stake, or dibble, left in the ground by local man Tammas Louson, who had started farming in the area.
The Dibble Tree became a symbol of the newly founded town which grew rapidly.
Coulourful Carnoustie carried out a variety of improvement works thanks to a grant from Carnoustie Golf Links Management Committee.
A spokesman for the community group said: “Recently the area round the tree has looked rather neglected, so the Colourful Carnoustie group, with funding from Carnoustie Golf Links Management Committee, has spent the last few months making the area more attractive.
“Ideas were provided by Carnoustie High School pupils. This has included flower and shrub areas, a line of new willows along the fence and an easily seen information board.”
The cricket-bat willow stands at around 30ft tall and stretches nearly 20ft across.
Willows are not normally expected to live for more than 150 years but Carnoustie’s Dibble Tree survived a 19th Century lightning strike that split its trunk almost to the roots.
The Angus Council motion for the tree preservation order was suggested by town councillor and Angus provost, the late Helen Oswald, who at the time said she was surprised no such protection existed.
Two clones of the tree are at present growing in nearby Lousen Park.
Carnoustie’s name is said to derive from the Scottish phrase craw’s noustie, or crow’s nest, after the birds which nest in Dibble Tree once a year.
A theatre in the town is also named after the tree.
Colourful Carnoustie also looks after the hanging baskets and planters in the High St, Dundee St, Station Rd and the train station and the wild-flower borders along the Links Parade.
