1766 



ARBORETUM AND FRUTICETUM. 



PART 111 



1606 



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 depreciations, Lord Northampton caused the following notice to be painted 

 on a board, and nailed to the tree: i 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 Lander 

 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 14ft. Sin. high, 

 and 29ft. in circumference, inside. The tree is 33ft. 

 3 in. high, and about 47ft. in circumference on the 

 outside near the ground. (Strutt.} 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 Hay man Rooke, in 1790. The 

 Duke's Walkingstick (j%.1607.), the first mentioned 

 of these trees, was, in 1790, lllft. 6 in. high, the 

 trunk rising to the height of 70 ft. 6 in. before it 

 formed a head. 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 98ft. 3 in.; but it is now (1837) 

 only 75 ft. The circumference of the trunk, at the 

 surface of the ground, is 38ft. ; and at 3ft., 27ft. : 

 the extent of the branches is 93 ft. The Little Porter, 

 in 1790, was 88ft. 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 88ft. 

 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 (Jig. 1608., from 

 Strutt, and fig. 1609., from Hunter's Evelyn) has long been a very celebrated 



