In the court of Norton farmhouse, a manor farm to the north-west of the
village, on the white malms, stood within these twenty years a
broad-leaved elm, or wych hazel, _ulmus folio latissimo scabro_ of Ray,
which, though it had lost a considerable leading bough in the great storm
in the year 1703, equal to a moderate tree, yet, when felled, contained
eight loads of timber; and, being too bulky for a carriage, was sawn off
at seven feet above the butt, where it measured near eight feet in the
diameter. This elm I mention to show to what a bulk planted elms may
attain; as this tree must certainly have been such from its situation.
In the centre of the village, and near the church, is a square piece of
ground surrounded by houses, and vulgarly called "The Plestor." In the
midst of this spot stood, in old times, a vast oak, with a short squat
body, and huge horizontal arms extending almost to the extremity of the
area. This venerable tree, surrounded with stone steps, and seats above
them, was the delight of old and young, and a place of much resort in
summer evenings; where the former sat in grave debate, while the latter
frolicked and danced before them. Long might it have stood, had not the
amazing tempest in 1703 overturned it at once, to the infinite regret of
the inhabitants, and the vicar, who bestowed several pounds in setting it
in its place again: but all his care could not avail; the tree sprouted
for a time, then withered and died. This oak I mention to show to what a
bulk planted oaks also may arrive: and planted this tree must certainly
have been, as will appear from what will be said farther concerning this
area, when we enter on the antiquities of Selborne.
On the Blackmoor estate there is a small wood called Losel's, of a few
acres, that was lately furnished with a set of oaks of a peculiar growth
and great value; they were tall and taper-like firs, but standing near
together had very small heads, only a little brush without any large
limbs. About twenty years ago the bridge at the Toy, near Hampton Court,
being much decayed, some trees were wanted for the repairs that were
fifty feet long without bough, and would measure twelve inches diameter
at the little end. Twenty such trees did a purveyor find in this little
wood, with this advantage, that many of them answered the description at
sixty feet. These trees were sold for twenty pounds apiece.
In the centre of this grove there stood an oak, which, though shapely and
tall on the whole, bulged out into a large excrescence about the middle
of the stem. On this a pair of ravens had fixed their residence for such
a series of years, that the oak was distinguished by the title of the
Raven Tree. Many were the attempts of the neighbouring youths to get at
this eyry: the difficulty whetted their inclinations, and each was
ambitious of surmounting the arduous task. But when they arrived at the
swelling, it jutted out so in their way, and was so far beyond their
grasp, that the most daring lads were awed, and acknowledged the
undertaking to be too hazardous: so the ravens built on, nest upon nest,
in perfect security, till the fatal day arrived in which the wood was to
be levelled. It was in the month of February, when these birds usually
sit. The saw was applied to the butt, the wedges were inserted into the
opening, the woods echoed to the heavy blow of the beetle or mall or
mallet, the tree nodded to its fall; but still the dam sat on. At last,
when it gave way, the bird was flung from her nest, and, though her
parental affection deserved a better fate, was whipped down by the twigs
which brought her dead to the ground.