1766

ARBORETUM AND FRUTICETUM.

PART 111

1606

which are of small dimensions, and apparently of very recent growth; thelongest, probably, would not measure 8 in. in circumference. Visitors havingbeen in the habit of cutting out and carrying away small blocks or slices of thesounder part of the wood as relics, or to manufacture into snuffboxes; to preventthese depredations, Lord Northampton caused the following notice to be paintedon a board, and nailed to the tree:—‘ Out of respect to the memory ofthe poet Cowper, the Marquess of Northampton is particularly desirous of pre-serving this oak:’ since which, very little damage has been done.” TheSalcey Forest Oak (fig. 1606.) Sir Thomas Dick Lauderdescribes as “ one of the most picturesque sylvan ruinsthat can be met with any where.” It is supposed tobe above 1500 years old; and its trunk is so decayed,as to form a complete arch, which is 14ft. Bin. high,and 29 ft. in circumference, inside. The tree is 33 ft.

3 in. high, and about 47 ft. in circumference on theoutside near the ground. ( Strutt.) This fine ruin is stillstanding; and, though it has latterly become muchwasted, it annually produces a crop of leaves and acorns.

At Pilckley, in this county, there was formerly an old oak, a large fork inwhich 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 inthe Duke of Portland’s park at Welbeck; an excellent account of which waspublished by Major Hayman Rooke, in 1790. TheDuke’s Walkingstick (y?g.l607.), the first mentioned 'NWAlof these trees, was, in 1790, 111ft. 6 in. high, thetrunk rising to the height of 70 ft. 6 in. before it '—•***■ +formed a head. The circumference of the trunk, atthe ground, was 21 ft.; and at 3 ft. high, 14 ft. Thistree, we are informed by Mr. Mearns, the duke’sgardener, “ was cut down soon after Major Rookepublished his description of it; but there is an oakat Welbeck, called the Young Walkingstick, about110 years old, as clean nearly, and as straight, as themast of a ship; and as perpendicular as if grown to aplumb-line. It is about 95 ft. high; or, the woodmanthinks, if nicely measured, it is quite 100 ft., andgirts, at 3 ft. from the ground, 5 ft.” The TwoPorters are on the north side of Welbeck Park.

They are called the Porters, from a gate having beenformerly between them. The height of the LargePorter, in 1790, was 98 ft. 3 in. ; but it is now (1837)only 75 ft. The circumference of the trunk, at thesurface of the ground, is 38 ft.; and at 3 ft., 27 ft. :the extent of the branches is 93 ft. The Little Porter,in 1790, was 88ft. high, but is now only 74ft.; 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 asmany others at Welbeck, they are still grand in decay.” Another remarkableoak at Welbeck, mentioned by Major Rooke, was called the Seven Sisters,from its having anciently had seven trunks issuing from a stool. These trunkswere all nearly of the same height; and the tallest, in 1790, measured 88 ft.7 in. The Gamekeeper’s Tree is quite hollow, and is remarkable for having,notwithstanding, a flourishing and vigorous head. “ In this tree,” saysMajor 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 (fig. 1608., fromStrutt, and fig. 1609., from Hunter's Evelyn') has long been a very'celebrated

1607