OF SELBORNE. 
5 
LETTER II. 
TO THOMAS PEXNANT, ESQ. 
In the court of Norton farmliouse, a manor-farm to the north- 
west of the village, on the white malm, stood within these 
twenty years a broad-leaved elm, or wych hazel, Ulmus folio la- 
tissimo scahro, of Eay, which, though it had lost a considerable 
leading bough, equal to a moderate tree, in the great storm 
in the year 1703, yet, when felled, contained eight loads of 
timber ; and being too bulky for carriage, was sawn off at 
seven feet above the butt, where it measured near eiglit feet in 
the diameter. This elm I mention to show to what a bulk 
planted elms may attain ; as this tree must certainly have been 
such from its situation. 
In the centre of the village, and near the church, is a square 
piece of ground surrounded by houses, and vulgarly called 
the Plestor. In the midst of this spot stood, in old times, a 
vast oak, with a short squat body and huge horizontal arms, 
extending almost to the extremity of the area. This venerable 
tree, surrounded with stone steps, and seats above them, was 
the delight of old and young, and a place of much resort in 
summer evenings ; where the former sat in grave debate, while 
the latter frolicked and danced before them. Long might it 
have stood, had not the amazing tempest in 1703 overturned it 
at once, to the infinite regret of the inhabitants and the vicar, 
who bestowed several pounds in setting it in its place again : 
but all his care could not avail ; the tree sprouted for a time, 
then withered and died. This oak I mention to show^ to what 
a bulk planted oaks also may arrive : and planted this tree 
must certainly have been, as appears from what is known con- 
cerning the antiquities of the village. 
On the Blackmoor estate there is a small wood called Losel's, 
of a few acres, that was lately furnished with a set of oaks 
of a peculiar growth and great value ; they were tall and taper 
