Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

ACE-TREE, n.comb. The main beam in a mill-kiln supporting the platform of cross-sticks and straw on which the grain was spread to be dried before grinding (see quot.).Ork. 1911 J. Omond 80 Years Ago 15:
A stout, round oak stick of 4 ins. diameter called the kiln stick or ace tree was laid one end resting in a groove or notch on the sill of the door of the kiln, and the other on the ledge right opposite in a similar fitting notch, and lighter sticks were then laid across alternately, the one end resting on the kiln stick, the other on the ledge till a floor of sticks was made a few inches separate from each other. On this, about two winlins of straw were spread thinly and evenly, the spreader moving about carefully on hands and knees till all was smooth and level. The oats were then poured evenly on the top of the straw.

[O.N. áss, a beam, + Tree. See Astrees in a different sense.]