Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
STOLE, n., v. Also stoll. [stol]
I. n. A stump of a tree (Kcb. 1971); a new shoot which rises therefrom after cutting a cluster or group of such stumps. Comb. stole timber, trees that have sprung from an old root (Gall. c.1780 Walker MSS.).Sc. 1765 Invercauld Rec. (S.C.) 34:
The whole stoll of wood on the above mentioned Island.Dmf. 1812 W. Singer Agric. Dmf. 286:
Considerable quantities of timber have been cut down within these few years: but for the most part the stoles have been inclosed.Dmf. 1845 Stat. Acc.2 IV. 110:
The ash loses elasticity and value when suffered to be too aged before cutting, the stoles also not rising from the root.
II. v. Of a tree-stump: to throw up new shoots (Gall. c.1780 Walker MSS.).Dmf. 1794 B. Johnston Agric. Dmf. 102:
Trees which “stole” or spring again from the old root.Sc. 1814 J. Sinclair Agric. Scot. II 224:
This property of the trees, which have been enumerated above, of renewing themselves for ever, by sending forth suckers, is, by a term probably provincial, denominated stoling: and . . . trees which stole, when planted out from the nursery, though they may live, do not always prosper.
