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Pontfadog Oak: 1,200-year-old tree toppled by winds Pontfadog Oak: 1,200-year-old tree toppled by winds
(about 1 hour 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, was felled by gusts of around 59mph 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. Legend has it that Welsh princes used to rally troops at the tree.
The oak - which had a huge hollow trunk said to big enough to seat six people at a table - had become a local attraction for walkers and visitors in recent years.
Rob McBride, a tree hunter who measures and logs trees, said it was rare for an oak tree to live to such an age, with most usually lasting for around 900 years.
"The tree was one of the biggest and oldest oak trees on the planet," said Mr McBride, who lives close to the Pontfadog Oak
"It has a very significant history and until about 200 years ago was a tree that was pollarded - with branches and leaves regularly cut to feed animals and build fencing."
He added that villagers had gathered after hearing about the tree, adding "it's quite like a wake".
Mr McBride said he had been campaigning for ancient trees like the Pontfadog Oak to be given a protected status like castles.
"If it had had a few thousand pounds spent on some supporting work, it may well have stayed upright," he added.
'Almighty crash'
The tree is believed to have been a rallying point for Welsh princes, including Owain Gwynedd who met his Welsh troops under the oak in the 12th Century and then went on to defeat Henry II in battle.
Dianne Coakley-Williams, whose husband Huw's family owned the oak and its land for generations, said she was woken up by an "almighty crash and a bang" as it fell near their house at about 2.20am.
"The wind here was absolutely dreadful - I've never known anything like it before ever," she said.
"I suppose it's lucky that nobody was hurt. But it's just so sad. My mother-in-law is devastated. She said it's like losing an old friend."
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 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.
"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. But Mr McBride said some people were also talking about the possibility of re-erecting the tree.
"What a loss to history, biodiversity and landscape interests," the charity added. "It's early days. They would have to take the top off and then re-erecting it, which can be done. It's such a significant tree," he added.