Cow Bridge Ash
Central Bedfordshire, Central Bedfordshire
Recorded by: David Alderman (Tree Register)
-
Trees of National Special Interest (TNSI)
So named, because of its location next to 'Cow Bridge' over the River Flit, Bedfordshire, the Cow Bridge Ash is an ancient pollard that stands at the junction of three parish boundaries. It has experienced it's fair share of ups and downs, at least one wedding has taken place beneath its branches, yet it was also sadly vandalised by arsonists and received a visit from the fire brigade! The tree clearly means a lot to the local people, as a bespoke and highly artistic oak 'door' has been fitted over the ash's hollow to prevent anyone ever lighting a fire inside again. The door carries the enchanting inscription 'Here be dragons' - with the scorch marks coming from around the door, who would doubt it?
- Species:
- Common ashFraxinus excelsior
- Form:
- Pollard
- Standing or fallen:
- Standing
- Living status:
- Alive
- Girth:
- 4.18m at a height of 0.60m
- Veteran status:
- Ancient tree
- County:
- Central Bedfordshire
- Country:
- England
- Grid reference:
- TL1199536147
- Public accessibility:
- Public - open access (e.g. public park)
- Surroundings:
- River / canal bank, Bridlepath / footpath
-
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Cow Bridge Ash
Central Bedfordshire, Central Bedfordshire
Recorded by: David Alderman (Tree Register)
- Species:
- Common ash
- Form:
- Pollard
- Standing or fallen:
- Standing
- Living status:
- Alive
- Girth:
- 4.18m at a height of 0.60m
- Condition:
- Decaying wood in the crown, Hollow trunk - with opening
- Veteran status:
- Ancient tree
- Tree number:
- 231
- Local or historic name:
- Cow Bridge Ash
- County:
- Central Bedfordshire
- Country:
- England
- Grid reference:
- TL1199536147
- Public accessibility:
- Public - open access (e.g. public park)
- Surroundings:
- River / canal bank, Bridlepath / footpath
- Ancient tree site:
- Gravenhurst
- Woodland Trust wood:
- No
- Epiphytes:
- --
- Fungi:
- --
- Invertebrates:
- Yes
- Bats:
- --
- Recorded by:
- David Alderman (Tree Register)
- Recording organisation:
- --
- Last visited:
- 04/04/2022
- First recorded:
- 01/01/2001
This tree has been set on fire at least three times.
As Cow Bridge Ash is at a meeting point of parish boundaries, it would probably have formed part of the custom of 'Beating the bounds' for the area. During Rogationtide ( about 5 weeks after Easter) this centuries old tradition was where people perambulated to mark the parish boundary often swatting local landmarks with branches or willow wands to make a mental map of the parish limits.