OLDEST TREES

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 84, 7 January 1928, Page 22

OLDEST TREES

Which is the oldest tree in Britain? (asks J. Noble in the "Daily News ). “His'Majesty," the famous king ol the beautiful Burnham Leeches now to be protected by a- fence from the indignities of small boys and fire-lighting PtchlC parties, is raid to be SCO years old. But its tale of years shrinks into insignificance beside the record of the oak cut down during the demolition of u ingerworth Hall. Derbyshire, at the age ot over 10C0. This arboreal monster weighed 15 tons, measured 18ft. round the butt, and had a first branch six feet in girth. This record ia surely unique and in spite of it we are content to include in the "brotherhood of venerable trees such youngsters as the 500-year-old trees in the forest at Richmond Park, or tne famous Sussex oaks on the M hiligh estate. reputed to be over 600 years o.d. It is interesting to remember that some of the last-named were sacrificed dun<’? the restoration of Westminster Hall, and

they are uow beams in the roof that was made originally by William Kufus. The elm trees of Kensington hardens are 310 years old, and if the ragged group of Constable firs on Hampstead Heath are not in old as that they are at least as famous, for they are almost the last of their kind left to us. Firs do not flourish in London soil—nor does our low altitude suit them. But whatever trees may languish in the grimy London air, the’ Diane tree will always be with us—the Londoner’s own tree—and it would be ungracious to conclude without vouchsaiing it a passing tribute. Hidden away in the little graveyard of St. Dunstan s-in-the-East there is the patriarch of its kind. Planted shortly after the Great Fire, it stands 40ft. high in its tresh green dress —a kindly home for innumerable sooty sparrows, a welcome shade uuder wh'wh the tired city worker may rest.