Berkshire
Hamstead Park
Hamstead Park is an iconic landscape between the village of Kintbury and the town of Newbury. The recorded history of Hamstead Park started in the 13th Century, when it was a deer park and owned by William, the Earl Marshal of England (c.1146 – 1219), known as the most famous knight of the realm. There was a medieval village, three motte and bailey castles, fishponds and a park “pale” that was a hedged mound and trench to keep the deer in. While deer parks were once very common throughout southern England, it is rare to find a surviving park which has escaped being used for agriculture and has surviving elements of the medieval landscape. At Hamstead park, the motte and bailey castles, the fishponds and nine surviving portions of the park pale can be seen today.
It contains a good number of veteran and ancient oaks, several of which are over 6m in girth, including one over 8m.
Sir William Marshal, 'the Earl Marshal' 1st Earl of Pembroke. Died 1219 and interred in Temple Church, London. Called 'The Greatest Knight That Ever Lived' with a reputed 500 tournament victories throughout Europe. He is also believed to be the only man to have unhorsed Richard the Lionheart when they were on opposing sides by killing his horse, instead of Richard, in order to make a point. A point well taken by Richard apparently.
https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofEngland/William-Marshal-Knights-Tale/
Woolly Oak
Species: Quercus robur (Pedunculate Oak)
Estimated Age in 2025: 270 years
Form: maiden.
Girth at 1.5m: 4.66m (measured in 2018)
Estimated Year of Birth: 1755
Reigning Monarch at the time: George II
Story: a younger oak than we normally gather from, but a fine tree nonetheless, whereupon a sheep decided to pose for some photos. We've noticed the oaklings seem particularly vigorous.
Sizes available (get in touch for prices):
75-175cm, 7L (13 available)
125-200cm, 12L (1 available)
150-250cm, 15L (25 available)
200-275cm, 20L (6 available)
Oakling ages: 7-year-olds (seed gathered in 2018).
ID codes: BP 1601.
Beefsteak Statesman
Species: Quercus robur (Pedunculate Oak)
Estimated Age (in 2025): 723 years.
Form: Pollard
Girth at 1.5m: 8.10m (measured in 2018)
Estimated Year of Birth: 1192
Reigning Monarch at the time: Edward I
Story: this tree is a real cracker - very solid, strong-looking, robust and durable. It had quite a large beefsteak fungus emerging - showing us its symbiotic nature.
Sizes available (get in touch for prices):
125-175cm, 7L (only 1 available)
150-250cm, 15L (5 available)
200-275cm, 20L (6 available)
Oakling ages: 7-year-olds (seed gathered in 2018).
ID codes: BP 1602.
Entbeard Oak
Species: Quercus robur (Pedunculate Oak)
Estimated Age (in 2025): 357 years.
Form: Pollard
Girth at head height: 5.5m (measured in 2018)
Estimated Year of Birth: 1668
Reigning Monarch at the time: Charles II
Story: this is quite a bizarre looking oak with a very broad burred base, and as such we estimate its age by measuring the girth higher up as the lower part seems somewhat atypical. An incredibly characterful tree nonetheless perhaps even resembling an Ent from the forest of Fangorn (as described in J.R.R.Tolkien's writings)
Sizes available (get in touch for prices):
125-175cm, 7L (only 2 available)
150-250cm, 15L (3 available)
200-275cm, 20L (only 1 available)
Oakling ages: 7-year-olds (seed gathered in 2018).
ID codes: BP 1603.
The Fencer
Species: Quercus robur (Pedunculate Oak)
Estimated Age (in 2025): 433 years.
Form: Maiden
Girth at head height: 6.14m (measured in 2018)
Estimated Year of Birth: 1592
Reigning Monarch at the time: Elizabeth I
Story: this tree has an aura of greatness, currently sitting in the corner of a fenced area, it commands the space with some majesty. A seriously impressive oak.
Sizes available (get in touch for prices):
125-175cm, 7L (5 available)
150-250cm, 15L (9 available)
200-275cm, 20L (4 available)
Oakling ages: 7-year-olds (seed gathered on 11th September 2018).
ID codes: BP 1605.
Browtop Giant
Species: Quercus robur (Pedunculate Oak)
Estimated Age (in 2025): 657 years.
Form: Maiden
Girth at head height: 7.70m (measured in 2018)
Estimated Year of Birth: 1368
Reigning Monarch at the time: Edward III
Story: to see this tree on the horizon is breath-taking - it is also a commanding tree (see THE FENCER above) with a huge spread and height, as well as some intriguing recumbent branches, similar to the Radley oak in Oxfordshire.
Sizes available (get in touch for prices):
150-250cm, 15L (only 1 available)
Oakling ages: 7-year-olds (seed gathered on 11th September 2018).
ID codes: BP 1606.
Pennybridge Oak
Species: Quercus robur (Pedunculate Oak)
Estimated Age (in 2025): 280 years.
Form: Maiden
Girth at head height: 4.78m (measured in 2018)
Estimated Year of Birth: 1745
Reigning Monarch at the time: George II
Story: again, a younger oak than we would normally gather from, but this one was sited in such an idyllic magical little spot by a small bridge over a little stream, and the whole area had a sense of peace and quiet and ethereal charm.
Sizes available (get in touch for prices):
150-250cm: 15L (6 available)
175-275cm: 20L (4 available)
Oakling ages: 7-year-olds (seed gathered on 11th September 2018).
ID codes: BP 1606.