Wandering through an English Forest one of the finest sights that you can see is the grand majestic Oak tree. It seems to sit apart from the others. It is the type of tree that likes to live a slight solitary life or at least spaced out from its brethren and sistren in a  group. Beneath the surface its roots are connected to the other Oaks and trees in a communication network powered by fungus. It’s no surprise that this noble tree has been the subject of song, myth and even the hiding place of a would be monarch. Structural Oak Beams are still considered to be some of the strongest and most pleasing in terms of construction just as the wood was a major part of the nations Naval Power.

 

The Oak is a deciduous angiosperm. In other words it sheds its leaves in winter and uses pollination techniques to further it’s seed.  It produces little yellow catkin flowers amongst it’s broad green leaves. These distinctive leaves form the basis for the symbol of the National Trust, an English, Welsh and Northern Irish heritage protection agency.

 

With the exception of winter where it is dormant the tree is a riot of colour for the other four seasons, In spring it bursts with seeds and new buds, slowly emerging from their winter slumber. In the summer the leaves are full lush green and the catkins are out then in Autumn as the tree closes the year turns a ruddy red and gold.