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Historic England Research Records

Queen Elizabeths Oak

Hob Uid: 662268
Location :
Greater London Authority
Greenwich
Non Civil Parish
Grid Ref : TQ3911077360
Summary : Named tree in Greenwich Park comprising a large, fallen tree, protected by an octagonal enclosure of iron railings. The first description of the tree as Queen Elizabeth's Oak appears on the OS Second Edition map. It is alleged that Queen Elizabeth I dined within the hollow trunk of the tree The site was included in the RCHME Greenwich Park survey which took place between September 1993 and February 1994. The tree was thought to be a sweet chestnut, as recorded on the OS First Edition map. The tree died in the late 19th century, but was supported by a strong growth of ivy until its eventual collapse in June 1991.
More information : TQ 3911 7736: Queen Elizabeth's Oak.

Recorded during the RCHME Greenwich Park Survey, Sep-1993 to Feb-1994.

A large, fallen tree, protected by an octagonal enclosure of iron railings and popularly known as Queen Elizabeth's Oak.

Queen Elizabeth's Oak is recorded as a sweet chestnut on the OS First Edition map (1a). The tree died in the late nineteenth century, but was supported by a strong growth of ivy until its eventual collapse in June 1991 (1b).

The first description of the tree as Queen Elizabeth's Oak is on the OS Second Edition map (1c). There appears to be little support for Webster's contention that Queen Elizabeth I dined within the hollow trunk of the tree (2).

Location plan at 1:1000 scale with record TQ 37 NE 69 (UID 610590). (1)

Greenwich Park Manager, Graham Dear, took a small piece of the tree which had fallen off the trunk and sectioned it to look at the wood grain. It displayed the diagnostic Oak medullary rays and this was confirmed by English Heritage dendrochronologists who are attempting to date the tree. (3)
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Source Number : 1
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Source details : P Struth:RCHME: ROYAL PARKS PROJECT: Greenwich Park Survey Sep-93 to Feb-94
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Source Number : 1a
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Source details : OS 1871 1:1056 sheet London XII.22
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Source Number : 1b
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Source details : Commemorative plaque erected on site
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Source Number : 1c
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Source details : OS 1895 1:1056 sheet London XII.22
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Source Number : 2
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Source details : Webster A D. 1902. Greenwich Park: its history and associates, 7
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Source Number : 3
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Source details : Email correspondence from Graham Dear, Greenwich Park Manager [03-JAN-2013]
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Monument Types:
Monument Period Name : Post Medieval
Display Date : Documented 1871
Monument End Date : 1871
Monument Start Date : 1871
Monument Type : Named Tree
Evidence : Botanical Feature
Components and Objects:
Related Records from other datasets:
External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : TQ 37 NE 91
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Related Warden Records :
Associated Monuments :
Relationship type : General association
Related Activities :
Associated Activities :
Activity type : MEASURED SURVEY
Start Date : 1993-09-01
End Date : 1994-02-01
Associated Activities :
Activity type : DENDROCHRONOLOGICAL SURVEY
Start Date : 2012-01-01
End Date : 2013-12-31