Planted before 1923. 

 

We don't know if this tree grew from an acorn or was planted as a sapling as part of forest management by the land owners prior to the Forestry Commission. 

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Trunk circumference at coring height: 235 cm

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Tree rings are confirmed back to 1939  as the corer couldn't reach the tree's centre. One of the interesting aspects of this art project is that trees still protect the secrets of their early lives. It seems to have been one of the slowest growing oaks that was cored.

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The focus of the tree/human narrative is on extreme weather given this tree's ability to survive.

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Oak trees are cold hardy and generally wind hardy, but can be damaged by late spring frosts. They can tolerate shade and grow well on mineral soils with poor or medium nutrients. 

 

This specific tree is healthy. This tree’s sapwood spans between now and 1998, which differs from the other two oaks that we sampled. As this tree predates the Forestry Commission the remaining  90+ years of its lifespan is heartwood.

 

The darkening of the outer part of the core between 1945-55 shows how the bark responds when the tree grows over a twig or young branch. The tree suffered stress in 2013-4. This is shown by discolouration, but the cause is unknown. There’s no evidence of oak decline in this tree, given that Processionary Oak Moth is travelling up the country.