The Tree and Headstone


This article was uploaded by Nicholas Cleak at 21:35 09 February 2008

Near the Mansion is a tree circled with railings with a headstone at its base. It says:

“This Tree planted to commemorate the birth of DICK, son of Captain Clay, Oak Grove, St Arvans. By S. Waugh in 1898.”

This tree must have been planted in 1898 with the headstone placed at its base. The forever expanding tree trunk has now pressed this headstone tightly into the railings surrounding the tree. (NG007-9) They didn’t think of allowing for over 100 years of tree growth!

Talking of trees, on the main driveway which goes from the entrance path to the stables is a tree of which the base is well 0ver six feet thick which has grown right over the railings through the decades… a rare sight! (NG004-5)

The grounds have many different trees lots are as old as the mansion, some of the huge trees are dead or struck by lightning, one Oak in particular is outstanding (NG024-25)