A North East View of the Green Dale Oak near Welbeck, in Sherwood Forest

29 x 22.5 cm (11.5 x 9 inches)

The Greendale Oak in Sherwood Forest (home of Robin Hood) was known as the Methuselah of trees and considered the most remarkable tree in England. In 1724 an opening was made through the tree, capable of allowing a carriage, or three horsemen abreast, to pass through. It was thought to be from 700-1500 years old.

This beautiful copper plate engraving is from John Evelyn's Sylva, or A Discourse of Forest-Trees. It was published in London for the Royal Society in 1776 as an encouragement to landowners to plant trees to provide timber for England's burgeoning navy. The work was a success from the start. Its publication gave a great stimulus to planting in Britain and no other work on arboriculture exerted a greater influence on forestry in England than Evelyn's Sylva.

This print is an authentic antique, not a reproduction and is in excellent condition. The engraving is printed on chain-linked cotton rich paper with strong plate marks and beautiful hand colouring.