22 BRITISH OAKS — THEIR SPECIES, VARIETIES, USES, AND CULTURE. 
''Essays," p. 9, the particulars of an oak growing on the north side of Loch Arkeg, in 
Locliaber, which at 4 feet from the ground, measured 24 ft. 6 in. in circumference ; and 
the celebrated "Pease Tree," on the property of the Lockharts of Lee, in Lanarkshire; 
measuring 33 ft. in girth at 1 ft. from the ground; and 19 ft. at 7 ft. high. It is calcu- 
lated to be above 1000 years old, being particularly mentioned in a charter granted to that 
family 650 years ago. These are growing in poor soils and in elevated and cold situations, 
and no trees of the same species of more than ordinary growth near them. 
These facts lead to the inquiry. Has the climate of this country changed since the 
Roman invasion ? For we are led by history to believe, that those remains of oaks often dug 
out of our peat-mosses, which must have been trees, while living, of far greater magnitude 
than any we have existing at the present day, were levelled either by them, or by some 
other of our early invaders. The remains of an enormous oak was dug from under moss at 
Hartfield in Yorkshire, 120 ft. in length, and 12 ft. in diameter at the root, and 6 ft. in 
diameter at the top. And Dugdale, in his work on " Embanking," p. 141, informs us, that 
in the Fens of Lincolnshire, oaks have been dug up which measured 16 yds. in length, and 
I, 5 yds. in circumference ; no such trees exist at this day. In almost every district in 
Scotland trees of an immense size have been discovered, wherever excavations have been 
made in peaty or vegetable deposits ; and what is very remarkable is, that they are chiefly 
oaks, and in almost every case in situations where that tree can scarcely be reared now, even 
when sheltered during infancy with firs, larch and other trees, of a hardier description. Our 
opinion of shelter will be given hereafter. 
What is the cause, may we not naturally ask, that oaks refuse to grow upon the very 
spot, where formerly immense forests of them grew, and acquired a magnitude, compared 
with which, the largest oaks of modern times are as mere saplings ? 
Nor are these remains of ancient forests confined to Britain alone ; Ireland presents 
them in almost every province, not only in vast abundance, but in such excellent preservation, 
that the timber is cut up and wrought into articles of furniture, in laying floors, &c. ; and 
the same has been repeatedly done in Scotland, How long these trees have lain in their 
sepulchral abodes, we know not, only in so far as the destroyers' tools, coins, and similar 
relics, found near them, give us a data to calculate by. For it is ridiculous to give them 
an antediluvian origin, or attribute their overthrow to the flood of Noah. The marks of the 
tools by which they were prostrated are clearly seen on many of them, and charred 
fragments bear additional evidence of the manner in which they fell. It is seldom that such 
trees are found entirely on the surface ; such is, however, sometimes the case. An instance 
was the other day stated to me by Mr. David Bishop, no mean authority, as being discovered 
by him, some years ago ; an oak of large dimensions being so found, on the top of a hill 
in the Logie Almond range, in Perthshire, fully exposed to wind and weather, and of great 
hardness. This tree grew where it lies, for the root was reposing at the end of the trunk ; 
and the situation fully 300 ft. higher than any plantation in the vicinity. 
The theory of a change in our climate for the worse, has been of late years canvassed 
pretty freely. Amongst the highest authorities who have written on the subject, we may 
mention Garnett and Pinkerton, the former in his " Tour in the Highlands in 1800," and 
the latter in his " Geography," Vol. I. p, 70, both of whom assert, that our climate is more 
cold and moist than it was formerly. In addition to these opinions we may state, that the 
records of Religious Houses show, that wheat was paid as a tithe from lands, on which 
human industry could not now raise that grain. Wheat was paid annually as a tithe to the 
Priory of Lismahagow, from lands in that parish, on which that species of grain has not 
been seen for several centuries past, and where it could not now be raised : and where, 
under the present economy, oats can scarcely be brought to perfection. The marks of 
cultivation on high hills are clearly evident, and to an extent not like a slight attempt, 
rashly undertaken, and quickly abandoned, but having all the appearance of having been 
long under active cultivation. 
This, coupled with the season of ripening of various fruits given by Evelyn, Bradley, 
Langley, and others, to which horticultural readers are referred, and also to the History of 
Monastic Houses, regarding the culture of the Vine, and the manufacture of wine, which 
even quotations from would occupy too much space here, leaves no doubt on my mind, that 
the climate of Britain has changed materially for the worse, and, notwithstanding the 
improvements in draining and a more scientific system of culture, all fall far short of 
compensation for the diminution of solar heat. On the other hand, the late Mr. Loudon, 
