Master Oak: The Oldest Tree in Middlesex

The Master Oak.

No one knows how old this ancient oak is, but it is believed to have been an acorn during the time of King Henry VIII (1491-1597).

During his reign many oaks were felled for the building of his warships, as timber for barns, barrels, furniture and for firewood. Oak smoke was also used to cure food as a way to preserve it.

It was certainly growing well in the late 17th century, when the Poet Laureate, John Dryden, rewrote a verse from Chaucer's 'Canterbury Tales':

"The monarch oak, the patriarch of the trees,

Shoots rising up, and spreads by slow degrees.

Three centuries he grows, and three he stays

Supreme in state; and in three more decays."

The Master has a shape that shows that it probably had its branches and top removed to encourage growth. The pollarded wood was probably used for fuel.

'Elfin Oak' by Ivor Innes

When wandering around London, especially with my girls, we sometimes have a plan of where we are going. At other times we just arrive in London. Alight from the train. And then just follow our feet.

Visiting the Elfin Oak was one of those planned days out, where we took in the Diana Memorial Playground, Kensington Gardens and the Italian Gardens, before heading through Hyde Park to Green Park.

After an exploratory of the Diana Memorial Playground both Erin and Keilyn were fascinated, as was I, with a fenced off stump of oak covered with elves, fairies, gnomes and animals.

There were gnomes stealing eggs, a witch and a banquet hall among many other carvings. 

The girls were so captivated with the peace that Emma and I managed to finish our coffees, which were piping hot, long before we had finished looking at art in front of us.