28th November 2002
Dorset plans rival Sherwood Forest |
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| The Major Oak in 2002 - Picture
courtesy of John Palmer |
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A Nottinghamshire man is planning
to grow a woodland of mini Major Oaks in Dorset. |
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John Palmer, former resident of Worksop, is to turn
seven acres of land near his house in Dorset into a forest of mini
Major Oaks.
At present John has three hundred Major Oak saplings growing in his
back garden.
He is preparing to plant them at ten yards intervals on his land when
they come of age.
The saplings come from the Major Oak's harvest of acorns in 2000 so
they are now two years old. He plans to plant them when they reach
the age of three.
When asked what gave him the idea he replies: "Its something
I've always wanted to do. My wife is also enthusiastic about it."
John has been fascinated with the Major Oak and its history since
his first visit to Sherwood Forest: "When I was a boy I was taken
to see the Major Oak and have loved the great tree ever since."
Every year he visits the tree to collect the acorns for planting:
"Every October I collect 500 acorns from the Major Oak if they
are available and plant them in pots at home."
"Here they get 'tender-loving-care' and the best ones are potted
up next May. When they are a year old, they are straight, sturdy and
many over a foot high."
At this point, the saplings are passed on to local organisations to
replant. He stresses that no charge is made. All John asks in return
is that the individuals: "... love and respect the little trees,
and help them grow in age and stature as did their famous parent."
He's now also set up a website dedicated to the Quercus Robur (that's
a type of oak, you know) and his saplings.
He's been in contact with other fellow Queen's Oak enthusiasts from
all over the world - all wanting to get their hands on his mini oaks.
However, apart from the problems with export laws John prefers for
people to collect any saplings from his Dorset home so that they don't
get mutilated in the postal system.
At present there are no trees on the seven acres field John hopes
to plant the Oaks in. The Dorset Record Office states that the field
used to be called the "Great Wood" in 1813. He hopes that the field
will soon return to its roots.
Please note: John has been given special permission to collect
acorns from the Major Oak.
The Major Oak: Then and now (pictures)
As well as his own pictures John has had several
pictures e-mailed to him from other Major Oak lovers. Below are two
pictures. One of the big tree at the beginning and one at the end
of last century.
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| The Major Oak in 1913 - Photo courtesy of
Cliff Thornton, Essex |
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| The Major Oak after 2001, with slim metal
supports and fence - Photo courtesy of John Palmer, Dorset (formerly
of Worksop) |
To see more photos of the Major Oak and learn more
about John and his passion visit his website. |
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