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Pontfadog Oak: 1,200-year-old tree toppled by winds Pontfadog Oak: 1,200-year-old tree toppled by winds
(35 minutes later)
A 1,200-year-old tree, reputed to be the oldest and one of the largest in the UK, has been toppled by strong winds.A 1,200-year-old tree, reputed to be the oldest and one of the largest in the UK, has been toppled by strong winds.
It is understood the Pontfadog Oak, which has been growing near Chirk in Wrexham since the year 802, fell over during the gusts overnight on Wednesday.It is understood the Pontfadog Oak, which has been growing near Chirk in Wrexham since the year 802, fell over during the gusts overnight on Wednesday.
It was also recently covered in snow, the Woodland Trust said.
The famous sessile oak tree had a girth of 42ft 5in (12.9m).The famous sessile oak tree had a girth of 42ft 5in (12.9m).
It had a huge hollow trunk said to big enough to seat six people at a table.It had a huge hollow trunk said to big enough to seat six people at a table.
Local assembly member Ken Skates said Wrexham had lost one of its "most important and iconic pieces of local heritage".Local assembly member Ken Skates said Wrexham had lost one of its "most important and iconic pieces of local heritage".
"The recent snow has caused catastrophic damage at to many ancient and veteran trees in the Wrexham County Borough area including some at the Grade I listed Capability Brown gardens in Ruabon, but this is definitely the worst news of all," he said."The recent snow has caused catastrophic damage at to many ancient and veteran trees in the Wrexham County Borough area including some at the Grade I listed Capability Brown gardens in Ruabon, but this is definitely the worst news of all," he said.
"I am hopeful we can try and save the fallen parts as part of an exhibition so we can at least let future generations know about the rich history of the Pontfadog Oak."I am hopeful we can try and save the fallen parts as part of an exhibition so we can at least let future generations know about the rich history of the Pontfadog Oak.
"To me trees like the Pontfadog Oak are a hugely important part of our natural heritage and as important as Caernarfon Castle or St David's Cathedral."To me trees like the Pontfadog Oak are a hugely important part of our natural heritage and as important as Caernarfon Castle or St David's Cathedral.
"As we have seen, an ancient tree like this can take hundreds of years to reach maturity, but it can all be lost in an hour.""As we have seen, an ancient tree like this can take hundreds of years to reach maturity, but it can all be lost in an hour."
Conservation charity The Woodland Trust said that it is believed Welsh prince Owain Gwynedd rallied his Welsh troops under the tree in the 12th Century and then went on to defeat Henry II in battle.
"What a loss to history, biodiversity and landscape interests," the charity added.