Marks Hall Gardens and Arboretum / News / The Honywood Oak
The Honywood Oak
Published: January 2008
Great Britain has some fine veteran trees. BBC Essex's Renee came to visit to discuss one of the oldest in Essex - The Honywood Oak with our Curator Jonathan Jukes.
This majestic veteran oak is thought to be over 800 years old. It was one of the many huge oaks that grew in the 130 acre deer park and had been pollarded during its early lifetime resulting in its substantial 27 foot girth. It is often said that an oak grows for 300 years, is mature for another 300 years and then takes 300 years to die. Our tree is certainly in the last stage of its long life. It is gradually reducing its enormous crown and ‘growing down’ to a more manageable size for its old age.
The tree is not just important historically having stood on the estate for so many years, but also for wildlife. The damaged areas have become home to countless creatures, where it almost acts as another world for them. Some creatures live in the tree and never have to go anywhere else.
We're becoming more aware of veteran trees by recording trees on websites and with interactive maps. Sites like the Tree Register of the British Isles and the Ancient Tree Forum. There are more veteran trees around that originally thought, with more on the British Isles than the continent.