This giant English Oak (Quercus robur) is believed to be at least 350 years old and could well have been living when Oliver Cromwell ruled. It is a fine example of a veteran tree, with a huge trunk and an enormous spreading canopy. Ancient trees often have rotting stems and dead limbs, which result in a diversity of micro-habitats suitable for many organisms. Some of the organisms are so specialist they are confined to veteran trees. An old oak may shelter many rare and threatened species, as well as hundreds of other plants and insects.
Great care went into making sure that the tree still receives the same amount of run-off water as it did from the fields, and that its roots were protected during the building works. It is now up to you to ensure its survival. Compacting of the soil by trampling will do great harm.
Joe Black
Not really a tourist attraction, although I believe it rates highly on trip advisor, probably says a bit about Haywards Heath..
Martin ansell
Easily the worst oak (scerlebus dementus) I've ever seen. Spreading? Its no where near as good as dairylea.
James Greeley
Fantastic tree, made excellent firewood! Lovely oak smell when burnt!
Pete Clark
An Oak tree with a magnificent spread of branches. The area around the tree is quite overgrown now since the expansion of the housing estate next to it. Path now passes near the tree rather than under it. Still some good walking to be had around the nature reserve which is popular with dog walkers and families.
Carla Hudson
It makes me sad seeing it now in a little fence. I used to live in Wealden Way between 2003 and 2007 and this tree was on the border to Ashenground Woods from the field leading up to it which is now all Renfields etc. It was surrounded by ravines which were used for kids on their BMXs and mountain bikes and was a nice place to walk my dog.
Nigel Morris
Can't believe I've been coming here 40 plus years and never seen this tree before!
Andy Libby2 years ago
Meh, it's just an old tree that a song and dance has been made of because Bolnore village was developed around it.
Basically it wasn't allowed to be chopped because of it's age and it is part of the surrounding ancient woodland. It is a tree, that's it.
The developers made a plaque in an effort to appear "caring".
There are many, MANY, old oaks in this country, this isn't anything special nor worth a visit specifically .
It is a fine example of a veteran tree, with a huge trunk and an enormous spreading canopy. Ancient trees often have rotting stems and dead limbs, which result in a diversity of micro-habitats suitable for many organisms. Some of the organisms are so specialist they are confined to veteran trees. An old oak may shelter many rare and threatened species, as well as hundreds of other plants and insects.
Great care went into making sure that the tree still receives the same amount of run-off water as it did from the fields, and that its roots were protected during the building works. It is now up to you to ensure its survival. Compacting of the soil by trampling will do great harm.
Basically it wasn't allowed to be chopped because of it's age and it is part of the surrounding ancient woodland.
It is a tree, that's it.
The developers made a plaque in an effort to appear "caring".
There are many, MANY, old oaks in this country, this isn't anything special nor worth a visit specifically .