The Claw Oak

Species: Quercus robur, English Oak

This fine specimen of an oak stands tall above the scrub, just off the beaten track near the heart of Shotover Country Park. Known as the Claw Oak due to the three-pronged, claw-like dead branch that lies at its foot (having fallen out of the tree’s spreading crown a few years ago), this is understood to be a “maiden” tree, i.e. one that has been allowed to grow up without alteration by the process of pollarding, in contrast to the nearby, well-known Shotover Oak.

Dead wood (such as the “claw” underneath this specimen) can be a tremendously important resource for all manner of insects, fungi and other wildlife. As constant suppliers of dead wood, old trees are thus a valuable component of woodland eco-systems and are now recognised as a conservation priority locally and across the UK.

The heavy use of the adjacent footpath (especially by mountain bikers) has resulted in the severe compaction of the soil and the tree roots. Shotover Wildlife has constructed a sturdy barrier of large logs and branches and created an alternative route that will relieve the pressure and help protect the roots thus prolonging the longevity of the tree.

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