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Sidney Oak or Bear Oak

Tonbridge, Kent

Recorded by: Not specified

  • Heritage Tree

  • Trees of National Special Interest (TNSI)

About the tree

Show more
Species:
Pedunculate oakQuercus robur
Form:
Stump
Standing or fallen:
Fragmented
Living status:
Dead
Girth:
9.42m at a height of 1.50m
Veteran status:
Ancient tree

Location of tree

County:
Kent
Country:
England
Grid reference:
TQ5280544764
Public accessibility:
Public - partial access (e.g. next to footpath or road)
Surroundings:
Parkland

Comments ({{comments.length}})(2)

  • This ancient Oak tree is located to the north of Penshurst Place on Penshurst Estate, and is called the Sydney Oak. Penshurst Place and Gardens is the Ancestral home of the Sydney family.King Edward vi, son of Henry viii, granted the estate to Sir William Sydney for loyal service in 1552. The estate was previously owned by Edward Stafford, the third Duke of Buckingham, whom Henry had beheaded for treason in 1521. The estate was then forfeit to the Crown as was customary. Folklore has it that when Henry was courting Anne Boleyn and stayed at Penshurst, They spent time under the Sydney Oak, which was even at that time, an ancient tree. It is thought to be 1000 years old.

  • There is an even larger oak on the estate, at 11.17 m girth on 8 December 2014, which should have a better claim for 1000 years, although this remains guess work. It is still alive, but hidden in Rookery Wood at TQ52794476

  • {{comment.comment}}

Back to summary

Sidney Oak or Bear Oak

Tonbridge, Kent

Recorded by: Not specified

About the tree

Species:
Pedunculate oak
Form:
Stump
Standing or fallen:
Fragmented
Living status:
Dead
Girth:
9.42m at a height of 1.50m
Condition:
Hollowing trunk
Veteran status:
Ancient tree
Tree number:
6357
Local or historic name:
Sidney Oak or Bear Oak

Location of tree

County:
Kent
Country:
England
Grid reference:
TQ5280544764
Public accessibility:
Public - partial access (e.g. next to footpath or road)
Surroundings:
Parkland
Ancient tree site:
Penshurst
Woodland Trust wood:
No

Wildlife

Epiphytes:
Lichen, Moss
Fungi:
Evidence of
Invertebrates:
--
Bats:
--

Recorded by

Recorded by:
Not specified
Recording organisation:
--
Last visited:
17/10/2023
First recorded:
04/07/2007