THE MIGHTY BRITISH OAK TREE

When walking the dog there is nothing quite like stumbling upon a majestic ancient oak tree to make me pause, and gaze on in awe. Their sheer size and gnarly bark quietly, but regally, marking the immense passage of time. Time where these trees have stood side by side with history, sometimes for a thousand years or more, silently bearing witness to things we can only imagine.

The mighty yet humble oak feels like an intrinsic part of the British identity and there’s a reason for that. England has more ancient oaks than the rest of Europe combined. They also play a particularly significant role for us culturally, woven into the history and folklore of the UK. Ancient druids worshipped and performed rituals in oak groves, marriage ceremonies were performed under their branches that symbolised wisdom, loyalty, strength and endurance.

There’s also the long British tradition of construction with oak which gained traction in the middle ages. It was and still is, prized for its beauty, incredible strength and immense durability. Many homes constructed from oak, sometimes hundreds of years ago, are still firmly standing today all across the British Isles.

The British Navy has an enduring association with oak trees. Their ships were constructed of oak timbers until the mid-19th century and, since the restoration of the monarchy in 1660, there have been eight warships called HMS Royal Oak. In fact, “Heart of the Oak’ is still the official march of the Royal Navy.

The oak is, of course, one of the most popular symbols of British royalty, symbolic of all that Kings and Queens have aspired to be for centuries. Not forgetting the famous oak tree that Charles II hid in as he escaped Oliver Cromwell’s armies after the disastrous battle of Worcester. His escape and restoration of the monarchy nine years later compounded the oak as a symbol of defiance, loyalty to the monarchy and kingdom, and the stoicism of its subjects.

There are more than 500 pubs named ‘The Royal Oak’ and you’ll also find oak leaves, trees and acorns adorning a plethora of British coats of Arms. The oak is revered across the world, but undoubtedly it really does have a special place at the heart of British culture.

In the Cotswolds and surrounding areas, we have some exquisite places to view ancient oak trees. You can find many of them when you’re out and about on one of our many beautiful walks. But there are two particular favourite locations of mine that I think are worth a visit and make a great day out.

Blenheim Palace

Within the area called High Park at Blenheim Palace in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, there are a staggering 968 veteran oaks. The oldest is estimated at a whopping 1,046 years old. These oaks are part of an ancient woodland known as Wychwood Forest. Henry I used the forest as a hunting ground for deer and so, as a royal forest, no one was allowed to harvest wood from the area. This resulted in the amazing preservation of ancient oaks you can see at Blenheim Palace today. It really is a special place and also one of the most important ancient woodlands in Europe. The oaks support deluge of wildlife, rare fungi, lichens, wild plants and insects.

Stoneleigh Abbey and Country Park –Shakespeare’s Oak

There is an ancient oak tree that stands in the grounds of this famous old house in Warwickshire that is said to have provided shade to the famous bard, Shakespeare, beneath its branches. The tree is approximately 1,000 years old and, whilst not seen as the most commanding part of Stoneleigh Abbey, it really is a beautiful tree. It’s also fascinating to think the man himself may have sat beneath its branches pondering his next play or sonnet. It’s definitely worth a visit if you’re heading to the lovely Stoneleigh Abbey for a day out.

Facts about British Oak Trees

• There are 600 species of oak worldwide but only five that grow in the UK. Just two of these are native, the English oak and the Sessile oak and three non-native species; the Holm oak, Turkey oak and Red oak.

• It can take over 40 years for oak trees to produce acorns

• Oak forests support more life forms than any other native forest. A colossal 2,300 different species are known to be associated with oak. This doesn’t even include all of the fungi, bacteria and other micro-organisms which use the mighty oak.

• The UK has over 49,000 ancient, veteran, and notable oak trees, half of which are found in non-woodland ecosystems so along paths and in fields etc. Older trees support a greater diversity of associated species than younger trees.

• The social and environmental value of oak is estimated at £250m per year and is likely to be higher as this excludes aspects such as physical, mental, cultural, symbolic and educational benefits. Oak trees are an incredibly valuable and beautiful asset for the British Isles.

• There’s a significant oak decline that’s been taking place since 2014. This is caused by the tree’s response to prolonged stress. Changes in in environmental conditions are at the heart of this decline.

Words

by Mide Carter