Ancient Tree Forum

March 2004

The famous oak tree in the New Forest is brought back after 25 years hidden from view.

Click on pictures below to enlarge

Clearing around the tree

A new pollard oak with the knightwood oak in the background

Old favourite making a comeback

Forestry Commission ranger Paul Hibberd is aiming to put an ancient Hampshire celebrity back on centre stage.

In days gone by even royalty made a special effort to view the Knightwood Oak, deep in the New Forest. At seven metres in circumference, it stands mighty and proud as the oldest tree in the woods. At the height of its fame, in Victorian times, folk would come from far and
wide to marvel at the colossus that sprang from an acorn around 500 years ago.

Mr. Hibberd, said: “The tree is one of England’s treasures. Twenty-five years ago a fence was built around it to protect its roots from the compaction of people’s feet. The undergrowth quickly grew up in
the deer and pony-free zone that was created. “With the tree’s vast trunk being gradually concealed from view, fewer and fewer people seemed to realise just what it was. But now we’ve cleared the brush and brought this glorious oak back into view.”

Mr. Hibberd said that he had found young saplings from the Knightwood Oak hiding in the undergrowth they cleared away. He said these would be nurtured to create the next generation of specimen oaks. He added that some of the Knightwood ‘babies’, would be re-planted in a special area. People would be able to sponsor a sapling as personal memorials.

Work at the site of the old oak will also include creating an all-ability trail around the tree. There is an interpretative panel explaining its history.

When the oak had reached around 200 years of age, woodsmen ‘pollarded’ it. Cutting off the trunk off at just above head height forced the tree to grow a tight crown of branches. The lack of lower branches meant browsing livestock could not harm it. Pollarding is known to extend the life of trees cut in this way. It is thought the Knightwood Oak was last pollarded about 150 years ago. It may continue growing for several decades yet.

Anyone wanting information about the oldest oak in the New Forest should ring 023 8028 3141.

Further information:

Other information about the New Forest can be found on the www.forestry.gov.uk website.

Knightwood oak – comes out of the shade