King Offa's Oak

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King Offa's Oak is a pollarded pedunculate oak (Quercus robur) which grows on the territory of Windsor Great Park, Berkshire, England. The tree is 11.18 metres (36.7 ft) in girth, and the trunk splits 1 metre (3 ft 3 in) above ground, leaving several enormous offshoots. The oak is at least 1300 years old according to experts[1][2] and potentially as old as 1500 years. Both of these numbers would make the tree the oldest oak in the United Kingdom.[citation needed]

Health[edit]

The tree split centuries ago, and a sizeable part of the trunk has died and fallen to the ground, whereas several other offshoots remain living. The tree has a live, vigorous top. Recently, fears were raised in regards to the tree's health if it got infested by the oak processionary moth.[3]

Location and status[edit]

The tree grows on private land with no public access[4] at Windsor Great Park, and has been registered as a Tree of National Special Interest.[5]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Pedunculate Oak 'King Offa's Oak' in Windsor Great Park, Windsor, England, United Kingdom". www.monumentaltrees.com.
  2. ^ Association, Arboricultural (May 31, 2022). "Oaks and fungi in the UK".
  3. ^ "Oak processionary moth strikes at the 'heart of English oak'". Forestry Journal.
  4. ^ "Pedunculate Oak 'King Offa's Oak' in Windsor Great Park, Windsor, England, United Kingdom".
  5. ^ "Tree - Ancient Tree Inventory". ati.woodlandtrust.org.uk.