AVERY OAK AND OTHER TREES OF DEDHAM 



as suitable material for the celebrated and 

 much honored frigate that still lies at an- 

 chor off Charlestown — Old Ironsides. The 

 amount offered was seventy dollars. The 

 offer was refused because the owner's wife, 

 Mrs. William Avery, who greatly admired the 

 tree, prevailed upon her husband to spare it. 



This took place in the eighteenth century, 

 and the Avery oak is still with us, gnarled 

 but vigorous. Along the whole length of the 

 trunk, and well into the main branch, may 

 be seen a deep furrow, ten inches wide or 

 more near the ground, evidently caused by 

 lightning. A healthy cambium, and some 

 surgical assistance, have enabled the tree 

 to practically outgrow the adversities of 

 former years. 



A record for the year 1847 gives the size as 

 sixteen feet in circumference near the ground.^ 

 The present circumference at one foot above 

 the ground is twenty-three feet, five inches, 

 and the circumference at breast height is 

 now sixteen feet, nine inches. To these 

 figures may be added the height, which is 



1 Mann, "Annals of Dedham," p. 125. 



C49I] 



