THE REMARKABLE TREES 



OF 



HEREFORDSHI RE. 





Sr. CATHERINE'S OAK. 

 (Quercus rohur) May, 1873. 



This very fine well balanced tree grows at Homend, near Ledbury, upon 

 the estate of The Rpv. Wm. Poole. At 5ft. from the ground where the card 

 of the Club is placed (itself 1ft. long, by 6in. deep) the tree measures 20ft. 

 7in in circumference. At 50 feet the bole divides into the main branches 

 of the tree, and the extreme height they attain is 115ft. The spread of foliagj' 

 is 105 feet. The oval patch in the picture represents a zmc plate which 

 marks the loss of a branch on the south side, tlie chief misfortune of the 

 tree's life. The condition of the tree, at this time, is best shewn, perhaps, 

 by the fact that a Timber Dealer offered £150 for it last year (1872). 



At some little distance from the tree there is a fine spring of water in the 

 park. Tradition supposes it to have issued miraculously on the spot where 

 the food St. Catherine, of Ledbury, rested in one of her pilgrimages. Its 

 waters are in high repute amongst the villagers, far and wide, for their me- 

 dicinal virtues, especially for sore eyes. How should it be otherwise, since 

 its traditions are aided by these mysterious characters engraved on the stone 

 above it : 



This Photograph is kindly presented to the Club by Mr. Poole 

 LadTnore and Son, Plwtojnijihers Co tJia Woolhope Naturalists' Field Club. 



