THE OAK TREE IN ESSEX.
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trees in olden times were "Braden" or "Broad Oak," and "King's
Oak"; the derivation of "Braden" is apparent, but the origin of
"King's Oak" is not so evident. It would be interesting to discover
what this term indicates. There is reason to suppose that in some
instances these trees mark the spot of some historical event con-
nected with the sovereigns of our country, but this can scarcely
have been the case with every tree known as the "King's Oak."
I do not know whether any of the members of our Club can
afford information upon this point.
Weeping Oak at Cressing.—In conclusion, we must not forget
the Weeping Oak alluded to at the commencement of my remarks.
At Newbarn Cressing, between Witham and Braintree, now occupied
by Mr. Thomas Challis, there is a good specimen of this interesting
variety. Having been told that there was such a tree, Mr. Harris
Smith, of Stisted, kindly offered to assist me in the search ; but after
driving for some time, we had almost given up our quest, when,
happening to look over a hedge at Newbarn, we saw a tree much
crowded by other trees, the species of which we could not quite
make out, and this, upon a closer examination, proved to be the
object of our hunt. The oak had many of the characteristics of a
weeping ash, and certainly it was the most extraordinary looking
tree I have ever seen. To find the mighty oak, associated in one's
mind with all that is sturdy and strong, thus disguised, was indeed a
shock to one's sense of fitness.
We all know that when our Club was founded some fourteen
years ago, Essex was much depreciated in popular estimation. We
have, however, at our meetings and in the pages of our Journal,
clearly established the fact that our county has its share of natural
beauties. When I commenced hunting for the fine trees in Essex,
I was told that I should never complete my work ; that I should
find some trouble in collecting sufficient material for a paper.
You will, I think, admit that the result of my search, as far as it
has gone, is sufficient to firmly establish the reputation of Essex for
the number of noteworthy specimens it contains of that tree
deservedly called the king of the forest. Our trees will probably
hold their own, for historical interest, for beauty, for age, and for
size, with those of most counties in England.
I would suggest that our members might well occupy their leisure
in carrying out a similar inquiry in other branches of natural history.