The Cathedral Tree

I'd heard whisperings of a tree nestled deep in a forest close to my childhood home; a wise elder of the forest with a name aptly reflecting it's powerful stature. We wandered around the unmarked trails marveling at towering beeches and the quietness around us as we weaved closer to it. Woodpecker taps softly echoed amongst the trees and arborglyphs hinted of times gone by; D.C + M.T 1990, Jeya + Suta 1987 roughly scratched into aging trunks. Tiny fungi - yellow staghorn and purple jelly disk - sprouted out of decaying logs and hen of the woods - long past it's best - launched itself out of tree bases. Slime moulds sprawled discreetly and galls - laid by spangle gall wasps - splattered the leafy sky above us.

When the path opened up to reveal the tree we were looking for, we certainly knew about it. The Cathedral Tree of Savernake forest stood proud, an architectural marvel of nature. Nobbled bark with nestled harvestmen, small hollowing crevices and leaves shimmering in the sunlight, still green, despite the reassuring arms of Autumn slowly creeping in. I measured the girth (roughly, with my arms) at 8.5m in diameter, but have later found (more accurate!) measurements estimating this giant to be around 1000 years old, the second oldest in the forest, and amongst the oldest living trees in the UK.

As a young oak sapling in the 11th century, some major historical events would have been unfolding; the Normans had invaded, William the Conqueror had become King of England and the infamous Domesday book had been completed. Fast forward ten centuries and we're still facing a series of major events but now these are of more direct relevance to the Cathedral Tree. Climate breakdown, the destruction of ancient woodlands and an ecological crisis that isn't being taken seriously by those highest in power.

My mum next to the Cathedral Tree!

Here's hoping the Cathedral Tree stands strong enough to withstand the pressures we continue to exert around us, and to inspire those that find it to stand up and speak out for trees, nature and the environment we all rely upon.

You can use your voice to help ancient woodland at risk by keeping an eye on the Woodlands Trust campaign pages here. Have you seen the Cathedral Tree? Or any of the other impressive giants within Savernake Forest? I'd love to hear about them in the comments below if so!