Seven Oaks and More

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There were seven oaks in Sevenoaks, Kent, England, until there was one.

On Friday October 23, 1987, the banner headline on the Sevenoaks Chronicle read: Sevenoaks’ heritage destroyed in night of disaster – OUR DARKEST HOUR.

SEVENOAKS will not look the same again in our lifetime. In the dark hours of last Friday morning (October 16, 1987) the town’s trees and woodland, nurtured through centuries, were devastated by hurricane [winds] which swept through Kent at speeds approaching 100 miles an hour.

The force of the hurricane brought down an incalculable number of trees which damaged thousands of homes in the district and crushed cars and out-building. Miraculously no-one was seriously injured….

The loss of six of the seven majestic oaks which stood on the Vine cricket ground captured the national imagination.

The trees were part of an ancient tradition of seven oaks planted in the town. Records suggest that the original trees grew where St. Nicholas’ Church, Sevenoaks School, and the Royal Oak Hotel now stand. This was the site of the first Sevenoaks settlement around 700 AD, and the town may have derived its name from them.

The Vine oaks, known as the “Coronation Trees,” were planted in 1902 to commemorate the coronation of Edward VII and to keep alive the tradition of having seven oak trees in Sevenoaks.

**

The King Edward VII Oak. The only survivor of the Storm of 1987.

That night in 1987 saw the worst storm in 400 years. It will never be forgotten by those who witnessed it. The evening of October 15, had begun as usual with the six o’clock news followed by the weather, reported by popular weatherman Michael Fish. During that night and the following early morning, Sevenoaks and its surrounding neighborhoods were battered by the best of Mother Nature. The Knole Park district lost more than 70 per cent of its trees.

**

We will leave the science to the experts, but centuries before the 1987 storm, the southeastern shires of England have been longtime favorite sites for the study of botanic specimen. It goes without saying that postcard manufactures took wide strides to accommodate the visiting researchers. Surprisingly, Tuck was not among them, but J. Salmon and C. W. Faulkner filled the gap.

The following sample cards are not the seven oaks, but they are in Kent, England. Trees such as the ones seen on these examples are often more than 700 years old.

These trees are a small part of an array of ancient oak trees that symbolize the region’s biodiversity and historic standing. One of the most notable sites is the Kent Weald, a region of about 550 square miles, known for its ancient oak woods. Parts of the weald may be over one-thousand years old, and it has been said that these ancient “witness-trees” have seen the rise and fall of many civilizations.

The Kentish oaks are primarily made up of the pedunculate oak and the English oak species. They can live for up to 800 years, and while doing so they provide vital habitats for numerous bird species, insects, and small mammals.

These incredible natural treasures continue to command the attention of residents and tourists, symbolizing Kent’s enduring history and beauty. Efforts are underway to protect and preserve these trees so they can be appreciated by future generations.

The ancient oak trees of Kent have also played a significant role in the region’s economy, particularly in charcoal production, which has been vital for centuries in industries such as blacksmithing and pottery.

The method primarily involved carbonizing wood through a controlled burning process called “pyrolysis.”

Charcoal makers, known as “colliers,” would select hardwoods like oak, beech, or maple because of their slow-burning qualities.

To create charcoal, a collier would pile logs in a conical or oval shape and cover them with earth or sod that would minimize airflow and control combustion. A small opening allowed smoke to escape which in turn would restrict oxygen, resulting in a slow, even burn. After several days, the wood would transform into charcoal.

Another burn method was trunk ignition in open air. It was faster, but the downside was less product. Both methods made charcoal that was lightweight yet had a very high (temperature) energy capacity. The trunk burning method is well illustrated on this J. Salmon postcard of a painting by the English landscape artist A. Harding Norwood, signed in 1909.

Once fully processed, the charcoal was carefully prepared and stored for use. It played a crucial role in everyday life.

**

After the storm in 1987, the town mayor, Mrs. Ann Dawson told her citizens, “The town council intends to embark on a programme of tree-planting as soon as is practicable. Once the immediate problems have been overcome; we can then make sure our children and grandchildren can once more enjoy the heritage of the pleasant town of Sevenoaks.”

To preserve the tradition, in December 1988, a cadre of town officials, civil workmen, business executives, housewives, and school children completed a replanting of seven oak trees in Sevenoaks.

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While England has its Sevenoaks, California features the city of Thousand Oaks, as well as a municipality named Twentynine Palms.

Very informative article. Thank you for sharing!

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