ON BRITISH OAKS. 43 
“Oakley Oak” is situated in a meadow to the east of Oakley 
farm-house, from which it is separated by a branch of the river 
Test, leading to the grounds of Mottisfont Abbey in Hampshire. 
It has a circumference of 31 feet 6 inches at 44 feet up; at 9 feet 
it branches into six large but hollow limbs, where, owing to the 
swell of its branches, the circumference is much larger; the sheer 
height is 27 feet. The living branches are comparatively young, 
and they put forth leaves and bear acorns freely. The trunk is 
quite hollow, and has a cavity measuring at the ground 9 feet by 
9 feet in diameter, and at 44 feet up 7 feet by 7 feet, which is 
the smallest diameter of the hollow trunk. The entrance to the 
interior is on the north side, and is 3 feet 7 inches high, and 1 foot 
8 inches wide. The hollow limbs admit plenty of light into the 
interior. 
“Seven Yards Oak.” This is an old tree, showing signs of 
decay, and although apparently sound in the trunk, it does not 
look so healthy as the “ Oakley Oak.” It stands in Hurstbourne 
Park, belonging to Lord Portsmouth, near Whitchurch in Hamp- 
shire, and on the boundary between the parishes of Hurstbourne 
Priors and Whitchurch. It is not known how long it has borne 
the name of “Seven Yards,” but 21 feet is still the circumference 
at 44 feet up. , 
“Canon Beadon’s Oak.” I notice this tree because its history 
is given as follows :—‘ This oak was planted by the late Canon 
Beadon in North Stoneham Rectory grounds, near Southampton, 
when home from school, at the age of fourteen years, the same 
having been raised from an acorn in a flower-pot by his sister. 
The Rey. Canon died June 10, 1879, having lived to sit under 
this oak, now a considerable tree, and witnessed a cricket match 
when he had attained his one hundredth year, the tree being then 
eighty-six years of age. The circumference is 11 feet 5 inches at 
4} feet up. 
“Dean Forest” is another Royal Forest, and although not so 
large as the “New Forest,” is not without some notable trees, 
viz. ,— 
“Jack of the Yat,” which is probably the oldest within the 
present bounds of the “ Forest,” stands by the roadside near the 
16th milestone on the Long Hill. In 1830, it measured 17 feet 
83 inches at 6 feet up; in 1846, 18 feet 34 inches; but in 1881, 
it was only 18 feet + inch. This discrepancy can hardly he 
accounted for. 
