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THE OAK TREE IN ESSEX.
able oak in the parish of Rivenhall is known as "King Stephen's
Oak." Local tradition says that King Stephen found a hiding place
Fig 20.—Oak in Rivenhall Park.
in this tree, also that the oak is mentioned in Domesday Book.
However, as previously stated, I cannot find that any individual tree
is recorded in that careful survey. Although small, the circumference
Fig. 21.—King Stephen's Oak, Rivenhall.
of the trunk being only sixteen feet, it is a noteworthy tree, for
nothing remains of the trunk but a mere shell, apparently a few
inches thick, and this so much broken away that it can be seen
through. Nevertheless, the tree comes out into full leaf every year.
Stisted Oak.—At the Lower Lodge at Stisted Hall there is a