Caton Oak: Difference between revisions
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The '''Caton Oak''' was an ancient oak tree that stood in [[Caton-with-Littledale|Caton]], Lancashire |
The '''Caton Oak''' (also known as the '''Druid's Oak''') was an ancient oak tree that stood in [[Caton-with-Littledale|Caton]], Lancashire |
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== History == |
== History == |
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The Caton is reputed to have been the focus of the village since the era of the druids, for whom the oak was a sacred tree which often formed the centre of religious rites.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wood |first1=Sean |title=Transported back in time by ancient tree |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/local-news/sean-wood-transported-back-in-time-685463 |accessdate=22 November 2019 |work=Manchester Evening News |date=29 March 2012}}</ref><ref name=hight2>{{cite book|first=Julian|last=Hight|title=Britain's Tree Story|location=London|publisher=National Trust|year=2011|isbn=978-1-907892-20-2|page=28}}</ref> For this reason the tree is also known as the Druid's Oak.<ref name=hight/> The tree is rooted in the [[River Lune]] and the trunk protudes above a set of old sandstone steps known as the "Fish Stones". In Medieval times monks from [[Cockersand Abbey]] used the steps to display for sale salmon that had been caught in the river.<ref name=hight/> The tree can be seen to be in good health in a photograph of 1905.<ref name=hight/> By the 1940's the tree was the site for a portable blacksmith's forge where a smith from nearby [[Hornby-with-Farleton|Hornby]] regularly set up to shoe horses for Caton's agricultural community.<ref name=guard>{{cite news |title=Memories of when Caton Oak stood tall |url=https://www.lancasterguardian.co.uk/news/memories-when-caton-oak-stood-tall-659754 |accessdate=22 November 2019 |work=Lancaster Guardian |date=8 July 2016 |language=en}}</ref> |
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| ⚫ | The tree became a local landmark and a symbol of the village, featuring in the logos of the village school and its sports club.<ref name=flora/> A sign affixed to railings around the tree states that it has been listed as a historic site by the [[Department of National Heritage]]. It also states that improvements were made to the vicinity in 1998 under the Parish and Community Environment Scheme funded by Lancashire County Council, Caton-with-Littledale Parish Council, Rural Action and public contributions.<ref>Plaque affixed to railings at the site (see for example [http://northwestimages.blogspot.com/2013/03/caton.html photograph here]</ref> |
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Reputed to have been the focus of the village since the era of the druids.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wood |first1=Sean |title=Transported back in time by ancient tree |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/local-news/sean-wood-transported-back-in-time-685463 |accessdate=22 November 2019 |work=Manchester Evening News |date=29 March 2012}}</ref> |
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Stands above a set of stone steps known as the "fish stones" where monks from the Cockersands Abbey displayed salmon fished from the nearby River Lune for sale in Medieval times. river flows over the tree's roots. tree was in good health in 1905 but has declined since. By 2007 the {{convert|4|m|ft}} wide trunk was hollow.<ref name=hight/> |
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By 2007 the {{convert|4|m|ft}} wide trunk was hollow.<ref name=hight/> |
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In the 1940s a blacksmith travelled from Hornby with a portable forge and set up shop under the oak to shoe farmers horses.<ref name=guard>{{cite news |title=Memories of when Caton Oak stood tall |url=https://www.lancasterguardian.co.uk/news/memories-when-caton-oak-stood-tall-659754 |accessdate=22 November 2019 |work=Lancaster Guardian |date=8 July 2016 |language=en}}</ref> |
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Tree has been used as a symbol of the villagena dfeatures on the logo of the village school nad the local sports club. <ref name=flora/> |
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On 27 April 2007 an acorn from the tree was planted within the hollow by the [[High Sheriff of Lancashire]] (Ruthe Winterbottom) so that a replacement tree could grow. The new tree will kill the old tree as it grows within it.<ref name=hight>{{cite book|first=Julian|last=Hight|title=Britain's Tree Story|location=London|publisher=National Trust|year=2011|isbn=978-1-907892-20-2|page=27}}</ref> |
On 27 April 2007 an acorn from the tree was planted within the hollow by the [[High Sheriff of Lancashire]] (Ruthe Winterbottom) so that a replacement tree could grow. The new tree will kill the old tree as it grows within it.<ref name=hight>{{cite book|first=Julian|last=Hight|title=Britain's Tree Story|location=London|publisher=National Trust|year=2011|isbn=978-1-907892-20-2|page=27}}</ref> |
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Revision as of 09:12, 24 November 2019
| Caton Oak | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Caton Oak and the Fish Stones | |
| Location | Caton, Lancashire |
| Date felled | 20 June 2016 |
The Caton Oak (also known as the Druid's Oak) was an ancient oak tree that stood in Caton, Lancashire
History
The Caton is reputed to have been the focus of the village since the era of the druids, for whom the oak was a sacred tree which often formed the centre of religious rites.[1][2] For this reason the tree is also known as the Druid's Oak.[3] The tree is rooted in the River Lune and the trunk protudes above a set of old sandstone steps known as the "Fish Stones". In Medieval times monks from Cockersand Abbey used the steps to display for sale salmon that had been caught in the river.[3] The tree can be seen to be in good health in a photograph of 1905.[3] By the 1940's the tree was the site for a portable blacksmith's forge where a smith from nearby Hornby regularly set up to shoe horses for Caton's agricultural community.[4]
The tree became a local landmark and a symbol of the village, featuring in the logos of the village school and its sports club.[5] A sign affixed to railings around the tree states that it has been listed as a historic site by the Department of National Heritage. It also states that improvements were made to the vicinity in 1998 under the Parish and Community Environment Scheme funded by Lancashire County Council, Caton-with-Littledale Parish Council, Rural Action and public contributions.[6]
Death and replacement
By 2007 the 4 metres (13 ft) wide trunk was hollow.[3]
On 27 April 2007 an acorn from the tree was planted within the hollow by the High Sheriff of Lancashire (Ruthe Winterbottom) so that a replacement tree could grow. The new tree will kill the old tree as it grows within it.[3]
An overhanging branch fo the tree was said to have become dangerous by 1996. Specialists recommended that the tree be felled but it was saved by the villagers and the parish council who erected metal props to the branch in question. One parish councillor said "the tree is the most important landmark in Caton and we should try to preserve it as long as there is any life in it at all".[5]
Fell 20 June 2016. [4]
References
- ^ Wood, Sean (29 March 2012). "Transported back in time by ancient tree". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
- ^ Hight, Julian (2011). Britain's Tree Story. London: National Trust. p. 28. ISBN 978-1-907892-20-2.
- ^ a b c d e Hight, Julian (2011). Britain's Tree Story. London: National Trust. p. 27. ISBN 978-1-907892-20-2.
- ^ a b "Memories of when Caton Oak stood tall". Lancaster Guardian. 8 July 2016. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
- ^ a b Mabey, Richard (1996). Flora Britannica. London: Chatto & Windus. p. 73. ISBN 1856193772.
- ^ Plaque affixed to railings at the site (see for example photograph here