Historic link with tree sale
People in Shropshire eager to get their hands on a piece of history have been snapping up saplings from an historic tree. They have been buying saplings that originated from the tree which sheltered King Charles II at Boscobel House, on the Shropshire border, more than 350 years ago.
People are being urged to place their orders at the historic country house so they too can plant a little piece of history.
The future king is said to have sheltered in the original hollow Royal Oak in 1651 as he fled from defeat in the final battle of the civil war at Worcester.
The original tree was hacked to pieces, but one of the offspring of the historic oak was planted in its place and has remained a famous landmark for centuries.
In 2003, horticulturalist Mike Young, from Shrewsbury, collected acorns from the tree and 700 of them have now grown into small saplings for the public to buy.
Peter Trickett, from Boscobel House, said: "If you ever wanted to own a piece of history, now is your chance.
"If you think of the original tree as the king of royal oak trees, then these are certainly princes and princesses with a tremendous lineage.
"We'd love to think that these aristocratic arbours will take root the length and breadth of the country.
"It would be fantastic if some of the pubs named after the original Royal Oak planted them in their own beer gardens to be enjoyed by future generations too."
The healthy saplings measure around 14 inches high and are on sale at Boscobel House's shop for £10.
For more information, phone (01902) 850244 or visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/boscobel