Campfire blamed after historic tree destroyed
ONE of the UK’s most famous trees, which dates back 500 years and attracts thousands of druids each year, has been destroyed.
Dramatic pictures show the 40ft Whiteleaved Oak near Eastnor Castle in Herefordshire engulfed in flames.
Believers say the tree, nominated for UK tree of the year in 2014, possesses powers which made it “venerated by spiritual devotees”.
The huge gnarled oak grows on the 52nd latitude, meaning the sun is visible for 16 hours 44 minutes during the summer solstice.
Tragically, the ancient oak has been reduced to a charred stump after it was engulfed in flames on Sunday night.
Firefighters battled the blaze for several hours before the flames were finally extinguished.
It was a fantastic tree. I know it is a magnificent tree because I have
walked by it RICHARD PRIME
Fire investigators believe the blaze may have been started by accident by wild campers having a campfire or barbecue.
Richard Prime, of Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue, said: “The cause of the fire to the crews that attended seemed to be an unattended campfire that spread to the tree.
“It seems to be as simple as that.
“It was a fantastic tree. I know it is a magnificent tree because I have walked by it.
“As far as I am aware there is no campsite there. It was just somebody out and about. An unattended campfire covers all manner of sins.
“They might have been having a barbecue. We have been messaging not to have barbecues out in the countryside because the flames can spread to cause wildfires.
“During this dry spell that is the message we have been trying to get across – please have barbecues at home in your own garden.
“Investugators have not been able to establish the cause of the fire. However, we do attend a lot of fires caused by sparks from barbecues.”
Meanwhile, firefighters warned people to take care when visiting the countryside.
Dave Throup, Environment Agency manager for Herefordshire and Worcestershire, tweeted: “Such a shame the famous Whiteleaved Oak on the southern Malverns is no more.
“Of considerable historic and cultural importance. Can’t be replaced.”
In 2014, Brian Haynes, a resident of the hamlet of Whiteleaved Oak for 30 years, nominated the tree in a Woodland Trust competition to find the “tree of the year”.
Speaking at the time, Mr Haynes said: “I nominated the tree because it is very special, but also because of all the people it attracts.”