28th November 2002
Dorset plans rival Sherwood Forest | |
|  | | The Major Oak in 2002 - Picture courtesy of John Palmer |
| | A Nottinghamshire man is planning to grow a woodland of mini Major Oaks in Dorset. |
| | | John Palmer, former resident of Worksop, is to turn seven acres of land near his house in Dorset into a forest of mini Major Oaks.
At present John has three hundred Major Oak saplings growing in his back garden.
He is preparing to plant them at ten yards intervals on his land when they come of age.
The saplings come from the Major Oak's harvest of acorns in 2000 so they are now two years old. He plans to plant them when they reach the age of three.
When asked what gave him the idea he replies: "Its something I've always wanted to do. My wife is also enthusiastic about it."
John has been fascinated with the Major Oak and its history since his first visit to Sherwood Forest: "When I was a boy I was taken to see the Major Oak and have loved the great tree ever since."
Every year he visits the tree to collect the acorns for planting: "Every October I collect 500 acorns from the Major Oak if they are available and plant them in pots at home."
"Here they get 'tender-loving-care' and the best ones are potted up next May. When they are a year old, they are straight, sturdy and many over a foot high."
At this point, the saplings are passed on to local organisations to replant. He stresses that no charge is made. All John asks in return is that the individuals: "... love and respect the little trees, and help them grow in age and stature as did their famous parent."
He's now also set up a website dedicated to the Quercus Robur (that's a type of oak, you know) and his saplings.
He's been in contact with other fellow Queen's Oak enthusiasts from all over the world - all wanting to get their hands on his mini oaks.
However, apart from the problems with export laws John prefers for people to collect any saplings from his Dorset home so that they don't get mutilated in the postal system.
At present there are no trees on the seven acres field John hopes to plant the Oaks in. The Dorset Record Office states that the field used to be called the "Great Wood" in 1813. He hopes that the field will soon return to its roots.
Please note: John has been given special permission to collect acorns from the Major Oak.
The Major Oak: Then and now (pictures)
As well as his own pictures John has had several pictures e-mailed to him from other Major Oak lovers. Below are two pictures. One of the big tree at the beginning and one at the end of last century.
 | | The Major Oak in 1913 - Photo courtesy of Cliff Thornton, Essex |
 | | The Major Oak after 2001, with slim metal supports and fence - Photo courtesy of John Palmer, Dorset (formerly of Worksop) |
To see more photos of the Major Oak and learn more about John and his passion visit his website. | | | |
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