Old Venerables and Trees That Disappear
It is hard to picture how old this tree would be had it lived. Judging by the spread of it’s roots, which were over 12 feet in diameter, it would have been some sized tree.
Up on Friars Crag near Derwentwater the remnants of this trunk are now gone. It is interesting to note that the roots are the only parts that are still rotting. Was it the moss that protected the roots?
Nearby is a monument in recognition of the writer, social reformer and artist John Ruskin’s visit to Keswick in 1824. I would guess that was around the time the tree died to start the rotting process but that is only a guess. Ruskin was fascinated by nature and would have a better idea about this tree remnant. He build his own garden at Brantwood near Conniston Lake ‘A paradise of art and nature’
Keswick has some grand trees in a distributed arboretum in the parks and near the river Greta. Try the tree trail in Upper Fitz Park.
On my next visit I will count the rings on this tree to assess its age, assuming it hasn’t rotted down to its roots by then. Below is the younger sibling of one or other of these trees,
‘Earth to earth ashes to ashes dust to dust’
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