1766 ARBORETUM AND FRUTICETUM. PART Jil 
which are of small dimensions, and apparently of very recent growth; the 
longest, probably, would not measure 8 in. in circumference. Visitors having 
been in the habit of cutting out and carrying away small blocks or slices of the 
sounder part of the wood as relics, or to manufacture into snuffboxes; to prevent 
these depredations, Lord Northampton caused the following notice to be painted 
on a board, and nailed to the tree: —‘ Out of respect to the memory of 
the poet Cowper, the Marquess of Northampton is particularly desirous of pre- 
serving this oak :’ since which, very little damage has been done.” The 
Salcey Forest Oak (fig. 1606.) Sir Thomas Dick Lauder 
describes as “ one of the most picturesque sylvan ruins 
that can be met with any where.” It is supposed to 
be above 1500 years old; and its trunk is so decayed, ~ 
as to form a complete arch, which is 14 ft. 8 in. high, - 
and 29ft. in circumference, inside. The tree is 33 ft. 
3in. high, and about 47 ft. in circumference on the 
outside near the ground. (Struét.) This fine ruin is still 
standing; and, though it has latterly become much 
wasted, it annually produces a crop of leaves and acorns. 
At Pilckley, in this county, there was formerly an old oak, a large fork in 
which had been the resting place of a pair of ravens for several generations ; 
and near Benefield there is a large stone set up, with an inscription on it, 
“‘ Near this place stood Bocawse Oak.” (Gent. Mag., Dec. 1791, p. 179.) 
Nottinghamshire. The most remarkable oaks in this county are those in 
the Duke of Portland’s park at Welbeck ; an excellent account of which was 
published by Major Hayman Rooke, in 1790. _ The 
Duke’s Walkingstick (fig.1607.), the first mentioned 
of these trees, was, in 1790, 111 ft. 6in. high, the 
trunk rising to the height of 70 ft. 6in. before it 
formed ahead. The circumference of the trunk, at 
the ground, was 21 ft.; and at 3 ft. high, 14 ft. This 
tree, we are informed by Mr. Mearns, the duke’s 
gardener, “‘was cut down soon after Major Rooke 
published his description of it; but there is an oak 
at Welbeck, called the Young Walkingstick, about 
110 years old, as clean nearly, and as straight, as the 
mast of a ship; and as perpendicular as if grown to a 
plumb-line. It is about 95 ft. high; or, the woodman 
thinks, if nicely measured, it is quite 100 ft., and 
girts, at 3ft. from the ground, 5ft.” The Two 
Porters are on the north side of Welbeck Park. 
They are called the Porters, from a gate having been 
formerly between them. The height of the Large 
Porter, in 1790, was 98 ft. 3 in.; but it is now (1837) 
only 75 ft. The circumference of the trunk, at the 
surface of the ground, is 38 ft.; and at 3ft.,27ft.: 
the extent of the branches is 93 ft. The Little Porter, ~~ 
in 1790, was 88 ft. high, but is now only 74 ft.; the circumference, at the ground, 
is 34 ft.; and at 3 ft. high, 27 ft. “ At some far distant period,” continues Mr. 
Mearns, “ they have been spreading, lofty, and noble trees; and, as well as 
many others at Welbeck, they are still grand in decay.” Another remarkable 
oak at Welbeck, mentioned by Major Rooke, was called the Seven Sisters, 
from its having anciently had seven trunks issuing from a stool. These trunks 
were all nearly of the same height; and the tallest, in 1790, measured 88 ft. - 
7 in. The Gamekeeper’s Tree is quite hollow, and is remarkable for having, 
notwithstanding, a flourishing and vigorous head. ‘ In this tree,” says 
Major Rooke, “the gamekeeper secretes himself when he shoots the deer; 
and there are small apertures on the side opposite the entrance for his gun : 
on the inside is cut the date, 1711.” The Greendale Oak (fig. 1608., from 
Strutt, and jig. 1609., from Hunter’s Evelyn) has long been a very celebrated 
1607 
j 
St lac 
| SPU Ty pel aa eT a on Bo ee Ua 
R : 
eG? 
