Tremendous tree tours are being touted as the latest draw for tourists to put down roots in Cumbria.

An alliance of historic homes and attractions have joined forces to stump up the stories that surround the trees in their grounds.

And they believe it's a part of the visitor market that could bear fruit - lifting the lid on the colourful people, places and events that have shaped the county's destiny and its landscape.

The Tales of the Long-Ago tree involved a number of great gardens, from Kirklinton, near Longtown, to Cartmel in south Cumbria.

It's the idea of the Cumbria's Living Heritage Group, who believe the tree tour - and its route through the county - could have positive spin-offs along the road.

Muncaster Castle's Peter Frost-Pennington is the group's chairman.

He said: "Hugging a tree is one thing, but looking at its historical roots and using it as the catalyst for heritage exploration is far more fascinating and rewarding."

Venues featured in the tour include Dalemain, near Penrith. The gardens there include a Grecian Silver Fir tree which - at 85ft tall and 19ft wide - is biggest tree of its species in the British Isles.

It was planted by Dorothea Hasell in the 1840s and was a gift from Joseph Banks, a plant collector who sailed on the Endeavour with Captain Cook.

Dalemain also includes a stumpery - a collection of 200-year-old tree stumps felled when the mother-in-law of current owner, Jane Hasell-McCosh, needed to raise money for roof repairs at the historic house.

At Kirklinton Hall, visitors will learn about the flower fairies, while at Mirehouse, near Bassenthwaite Lake, they can discover the Scots Pines and their connection to the life of poet laureate, Alfred, Lord Tennyson, who visited frequently and spent his honeymoon there.

Muncaster features Tom Fool's Treet, a Sweet Chestnut underneath which the last Fool of Muncaster, Thomas Skelton - thought to be the Tom Fool of legend - would sit in the 16th century and determine the fate of passers-by who asked for directions.

If he liked these folk, he sent them onwards on a safe route; if he did not, he sent them to their death on the quicksands.

The tour also takes in The Rum Story in Whitehaven.

A spokeswoman said: "You will be transported back to 1785, when the port was in its heyday and part of the spice, sugar and slave trade triangle.

"A tropical African rain forest puts this historical period in context for you, before you discover everything about rum making, American prohibition and those who made their rum fortunes."

There is, of course, also Grizedale Forest and its special status as the UK's first Forest for Sculpture, awarded in 1977. The forest now includes 40 outdoor artworks.

Mr Frost-Pennington added: "We hope people will visit some of our amazing trees in September and October and make them the staring point of an amazing voyage into the past."

Find out more details at www.cumbriaslivingheritage.co.uk .