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3 July 2010 - Silton

A visit to the north Dorset village of Silton, near Gillingham, to see a very old oak tree

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The village church of St Nicholas. The parish registers date from 1653. Inside the church is a memorial to Sir Hugh Wyndham, a Justice of the Common Pleas during the reign of Charles II.

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This is the ancient oak tree we had come to see. It is called Judge Wyndham’s Oak. Judge Wyndham used to sit under it to admire the view over what used to be the Royal Forest of Gillingham. The age is not known but it certainly pre-dates 1641.

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The trunk is now hollow and big enough for several people to walk inside.

Silton Dorset Dorsetcamera

A closer look at the hollow trunk.

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Very gnarled bark.

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In this view you can see a support that has had to be added to support one of the heavy old branches.

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The oak leaves.

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A look inside the hollow trunk and the wide range of colours.

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About thirty years ago an acorn from the old tree was planted across the field nearer to the church. You can see the young oak protected by a fence.

Silton Dorset Dorsetcamera

The young offspring of Judge Wyndham’s oak. I wonder what this will look like in 400 years time?