94 THE OAK. 
preserved on record relating to them, and also by 
means of some inscriptions which have been found 
deeply imbedded in the solid wood, and over which 
the growth of years has been deposited. 
The following description of a few remarkable 
trees in different parts of England, is taken from 
Loudon’s Arboretum : — 
“The Merton Oak stands on the estate of Lord 
Walsingham. It is 66 feet high, and, at the surface 
of the ground, the circumference of the trunk is 63 
feet 2 inches. At one foot [from the ground], it is 
46 feet 1 inch; the trunk is 18 feet 6 inches to the 
fork of the branches ; the largest limb is 18 feet, and 
the second 16 feet in circumference.” 
“The Winfarthing Oak is 70 feet in circumfer- 
ence; the trunk is quite hollow, and the cavity large 
enough to hold 30 persons. It is said to have been 
called the “Old Oak,” at the time of William the 
Conqueror.* It is now a mere shell—a mighty 
ruin, bleached to a snowy white ; but it is magnificent 
in its decay. The only mark of vitality which it ex- 
hibits, is on the south side, where a narrow strip of 
bark sends forth a few branches, which even now 
(1836) occasionally produce acorns.” 
“The Salcey Forest Oak is described as ‘one of 
the most picturesque sylvan ruins that can be met 
with anywhere.’ It is supposed to be above 1500 
years old; and its trunk is so decayed as to form a 
complete arch, which is 14 feet 8 inches high, and 29 
* This tree is most probably 1500 years old. 
