Pontfadog Oak facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pontfadog Oak |
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The fallen tree
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| Species | Sessile oak (Quercus petraea) |
| Location | Pontfadog, Wrexham County Borough, Wales |
| Date seeded | Between 368–815 CE |
| Date felled | 18 April 2013 |
The Pontfadog Oak was a very old and famous sessile oak tree. It grew on a farm called Cilcochwyn, near the village of Pontfadog in Wales. This amazing tree stood tall for many centuries.
Sadly, on April 18, 2013, a strong storm blew the tree over. Before it fell, many people believed it was the oldest and largest oak tree in the entire United Kingdom. It was truly a giant among trees!
What Made the Pontfadog Oak Special?
This incredible tree was often called "Wales's national tree." It was huge! In 1881, its trunk measured over 53 feet (about 16 meters) around. Imagine trying to hug a tree that big!
How Old Was This Giant Oak?
Experts from the Forestry Commission studied the tree in 1996. They used special methods to guess its age. They estimated the Pontfadog Oak was somewhere between 1,181 and 1,628 years old. That means it started growing around the time of the Roman Empire!
A Recognized Natural Treasure
The Pontfadog Oak was very important to the country's heritage. In 2002, The Tree Council chose it as one of 50 "Great British Trees." This was part of a special celebration for the Queen's Golden Jubilee. It was picked because it was such an important part of the national history and landscape.
The tree was also featured in a book called Heritage Trees Wales in 2012. Only 74 trees were included in this special book. This shows just how unique and valued the Pontfadog Oak was. Even after it fell, its story continues to inspire people about the wonders of nature.
