It takes over 100 years for an oak tree to grow to the maturity needed to create timber for Lincoln Cathedral roof. Thankfully, the Cathedral team, sponsored and supported by Nettleham Woodland Trust and British Hardwood Tree Nursery, have the foresight to plant now.

Young oak saplings have been donated by Lincolnshire-based British Hardwood Tree Nursery. The saplings will be planted at an official ceremony when the bare root planting season commences this Autumn. The planting celebrates the 800 years’ anniversary of the Charter of the Forest and the Battle of Lincoln which took place in 1217. Lincoln Cathedral are encouraging people to plant an oak in Ashing Lane Nature Reserve in Dunholme (or at their own locations). Ashing Lane Nature Reserve covers nearly 15 acres and is the largest county woodland created and managed by a volunteer group.

Amongst the plants will be one sapling planted by Nick Hopper, British Hardwood Tree Nursery’s business manager. “It is great to be part of and celebrate such an auspicious event and a superb way to promote tree planting for this most worthy of purposes – the longevity of the Cathedral’s oak heritage.”

The Cathedral’s roof needs new timbers which must be stored and dried within the Cathedral’s environment for a number of years before they can be used. The oak trees that will be planted, destined for the roof, are felled when they reach the right size – 200mm thick and 8-10 metres long. Some of the oldest beams still remaining were already 400 years old when they were installed in the 12th century and new beams are expected to remain for centuries to come.

Each planting will be recorded in the Book of Oaks, a leather-bound tome containing the names of all of those who have pledged, planted, grown and promised oaks. The planting event is scheduled for the end of November.

If you would like to buy an oak, please email Anita Holdich at Lincoln Cathedral.