Lassington Wood facts for kids
Lassington Wood is a beautiful nature reserve located near Highnam, Gloucestershire. It's a special place where you can explore nature and learn about local history. This woodland was once part of a large estate owned by the Guise family for hundreds of years. Today, it is a protected area managed by Tewkesbury Borough Council and Highnam Parish Council, offering a peaceful escape for everyone.
History of Lassington Wood
Lassington Wood has a long and interesting past. It was originally part of a huge 623-acre estate belonging to the Guise family. They received this land way back in 1274! For centuries, the River Leadon used to flow right by the wood's eastern edge, but its path was changed in 1867.
In 1921, a member of the family, Sir Anselm Guise, sold most of his estate. However, he decided to keep Lassington Wood and then gave it as a gift to Gloucester City Council. This generous donation was a way to show the Guise family's strong connection to the city of Gloucester over many years.
By 1980, the woodland covered about 2 to 3 acres. Later, the land was considered for donation to Tewkesbury Borough Council. This council wanted to improve and replant trees in the areas around the wood. Now, Lassington Wood is managed together by Tewkesbury Borough Council and Highnam Parish Council. It is a 7.05-hectare (about 17.4-acre) nature reserve. The wood is especially famous for its amazing display of bluebells in spring!
The Famous Lassington Oak
Lassington Wood was once home to a truly legendary tree called the Lassington Oak. In 1879, a famous encyclopedia described it as one of the four most important trees in all of Gloucestershire! This giant oak stood on a high spot, giving it clear views towards the city of Gloucester.
In the mid-1800s, groups of travelling Romani people often visited the tree. It was a well-known landmark. Imagine how big it was: in 1880, its trunk measured an incredible 38 feet 6 inches (about 11.7 meters) around at the bottom! Just below its first branches, it was still 24 feet 6 inches (about 7.5 meters) around. Its branches spread out a massive 93 feet (about 28 meters) from the trunk.
Even though parts of the tree started to die as early as 1838, it kept growing. By 1898, it needed wooden props to help hold up its heavy branches. By 1916, it had a dozen props! Despite showing signs of decay, the old oak still managed to grow new buds and leaves each year.
In 1920, a group called the Ancient Order of Druids, from Gloucester, planted 12 young oak trees around the old one. Sadly, the Lassington Oak finally fell during strong winds in 1960. At that time, people believed it was about 600 years old and its trunk was 30 feet (about 9 meters) around. By 1980, only a rotting part of its trunk remained. Even in 2011, some pieces were still there, though they had been set on fire. Luckily, a new oak tree was planted nearby, and it was growing well by 2011. A local Morris dancing group, started in 1977, was even named after this famous tree!
