The tree has stood there for 200-250 years and is an example of a great indicator of land management, planted, and pollarded, to help stabilise the bank.
It would have been a feature tree surrounded by a 19th century beech wood. A reminder that Fell Foot was once the parkland to a villa style property which, as it rose in status included a boathouse complex built next to the oak. Its waterside location means it copes with the movement of water and boats around its roots, including masts in its canopy, and is home to some amazing wildlife.
The tree provides a biodiversity refuge amongst the bustle of people getting on and off the water. Veteran trees are so precious because as the tree grows it forms niches which wildlife depends on. The parkland is also home to other mature trees and the current planting scheme allows the continuation of this veteran tree habitat for many hundreds of years to come.
