Wooden Wonders part three: rugged oak

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Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, is full of magnificent trees.

As part of our half term Wooden Wonders event taking place from 14 – 16 February, Kate Cashmore from Westonbirt’s learning team has created a trail which will help you find out about our hidden wonders.

Here, she highlights some of the Wooden Wonders that you can discover when you follow the trail.

Oak is the best known native hardwood. It is very durable and strong, even when in contact with the ground, so it was used for centuries for building frames, roofs and floors.

We have used the old methods to build the Great Oak Hall and the new bird viewing room which you will come across in the Old Arboretum.

Henry VIII built up a large navy of oak ships to defend England. Much of the wooden ‘Mary Rose’ ship even lasted underwater for 400 years before it was raised and preserved in a museum.

Oak is the best British tree for biodiversity – nearly 300 different kinds of insects live on it. Can you find any when you follow the Wooden Wonders trail?

Useful links

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