The Guardian of the Forest

I am a little later than planned with my latest blog, things were rather hectic celebrating my Birthday last weekend followed by a Bank Holiday, it has been challenging to find a spare few minutes but better late than never and keeping with the cherished and ancient theme, I want to spend a little time talking about trees, more specifically our ancient oak, more commonly known as the English Oak.

Tree huggers are often ridiculed but I totally get it. There is something magical, even, if I dare say, spiritual about being in the presence of an ancient, majestic oak tree. I have not come across many in my local area, but I do have a favourite just coming down the back of Baildon Moor, as if you were heading towards Hawksworth, not long after the riding stables. I have spent many a peaceful moment under this tree, collecting my thoughts, using nature’s medicine to heal my sometimes troubled mind or simply lying under it staring up in awe at its foliage and studying its gnarled trunk with its twist and turns. I quite often say hello and pat its trunk upon my arrival. I have also introduced some of my friends to this tree and shared a snack (or beer) under its branches. I am thrilled to share below some of my snaps from a previous visit on a warm Summer’s day.

I find it difficult to age any tree but going off the size of the trunk on this particular tree, I am pretty certain we are looking at least 200 years old, possibly a little more. It is mind boggling to me to think what this tree has experienced in its lifetime and will continue to do so long after I have gone. Most oak trees can live well over 500 years and one of the most famous oaks is called Major in Sherwood Forest which is reputed to be over 800 years old.

Not only do trees provide a home and shelter to many birds and other wildlife they help the Earth breathe by turning carbon dioxide into oxygen. The fruit of the oak tree, the acorn, provides many birds and animals with food throughout the Winter months. Many of our ancient oaks and young saplings are often as a result of a squirrel or Jay forgetting where they have cached their Autumn harvest. Our oaks are also a host species for the gall wasp, where the larval stage of these insects result in the tree producing abnormal growths, known as galls, that enclose the developing larvae.

There is much romanticism and mythology connected to these wonderful trees, you have to think of all the traditional uses for its timber throughout history, such as building some of our greatest warships, homes and furniture, the latter of which will probably last for generations. Yule logs at Christmas were traditionally cut from oak, although it was not recommended that you tried eating one! Couples were often married in Cromwell’s time and druids would worship under their branches.

The next time you are out enjoying our beautiful countryside and you come across an oak tree, park yourself under it, take a few moments to lose yourself in the grandeur of our beloved oak tree. Study its trunk and branches, sense the history connected to these trees and immerse yourself in the splendour, in my opinion, of the finest of all trees found throughout our green and pleasant land. I guarantee that you will feel much better for doing so.