Flat Oak

 

Sad to find that one of the forests' elder statesmen, the Flat Oak of Wood Crates has lost one of its' three huge branches; the premier one too. This is an ancient oak, a remnant of a much older forest which existed prior to the 1700's and enclosure. They're a rarer phenomenon around the forest than you might imagine.

The Flat Oak

The Flat Oak stands out as ancient amongst the younger veteran trees of Wood Crates. We always say hello if we're passing through this region of the forest. Well, it would be rude not to.

Flat Oak

I've long known this Ancient and venerable oak as the Flat Oak according to it's shape, although this morning Cernunnos had manifest deep in the woods and the mighty oak was undeniably channelling the horned God; apt with the Summer Solstice soon upon us.

Flat Oak

It's strange how even though they're considerably grander than their companions, how these ancient trees can so easily be overlooked, as if they're purposely hiding from you. You could easily pass by this majestic leviathan and never know it was there. It was lovely to visit the Flat Oak this morning, it's been too long, must have been at least a couple of years since I've passed this way.  I was pleased the find the old fella in good health.

Flat Oak

I visited the Flat Oak (my name for it) today, still gnarly, still majestic, still a one off original. What a lovely forest Ent. You could spend ages, and I often do, exploring the nooks and crannies of it's deeply folded bark, home to all sorts of creepy crawlies. It strikes me that I'm just one of a long line of admirers who over the years have made pilgrimages to the Oak, and that trips me out. Knowing I'm standing in the same places, touching the same bark and feeling the same wonder. I dig the continuity. Well anyway, the Oak seems in no worse state than the last time I passed this way; a good thing. So, until I pass this way again it bade it hail and farewell.