Stunning area Mr W. Nice to sit somewhere quiet & chill there, just watch & listen. Beech & oak are the best trees i think, both lovely. I like your apprentice Miss Wiltshirewoman!! 👍
That beautiful, magnificent Oak Sandy has seen plenty come and go. An ecosystem in its own right. I am in awe of these titans of nature. The oaks I planted some 12 years ago in and around Trailcam Wood are doing well, established and reaching for the sky. Some have provided acorns and their offspring are also being planted... two last week and more going in this week and the weeks to follow. Hopefully they will reach up to ensure the longevity of the wood. Paul 👍😊
Wonderful film Sandy. It’s hard to comprehend anything living for 1100 years ( though I think my old maths teacher may have been close). What a stat that is. “when Henry viii was on the throne it was already 600.”
Lovely to see those majestic oaks and they really are the kings (and queens) of the forest. We have some lovely oak woodlands here in Kent but I have never seen any as big as your pot-bellied friend in Savernake. If it could talk I bet it could tell some great stories of centuries past.
Lovely to see Annie out with you for a change and judging by the canine excitement, a wise decision lol. Will send you a couple of pics of a few oaks, I grew up around as a, boy, one so old it's had better days now. Spent several nights sleeping at the base of the limbs as a, kid. Great video Sandy
It boggles the mind to think of the times this grand old oak tree has lived through. A nice sales pitch for your channel right at the end too by your daughter , a delightful young woman.
Beautiful Oak tree looks good for its age. I was there possibly 10 years with researchers and they done a core sample. And u are correct with the age. I was down there with our class from the university of Edinburgh. When I was studying my PhD in plant biology at the time.
Hey Sandy!! A very nice video! Love them trees, thank you for taking us along your hike at the ancient oaks of Savernake, beautiful woodland!! Great to see You, Annie, and your adorable doggies out and about…Wanna wish you a warm and blessed happy birthday! Enjoy and have a wonderful day!!🙏
Thanks Sandy for sharing this piece of history with us . I am just glad that when they built the road that they were wise enough not to remove it. It is good to see that your eye is doing so well after the operation, Stay well ,stay safe and 73
But they weren't wise enough to give this magnificent more space were they.I visited this forest from Marlborough and wasn't aware of Big Belly Oak, as I went there in the spring to sketch the expansive display of bluebells.I wonder do the bluebells stretch as far as this wonderful oak??
I just wonder how many more years the Big Bellied Oak will be able to survive this crazy world that we have now. I wish it an even longer life. I have always thought of the old oak trees that sometimes dot the forests as the royalty of the woodlands. They always seem to be surrounded by the taller and healthier looking trees of other species, but, the oaks seem to outlast them all. Thanks for the walk out in the beautiful forest. It was very enjoyable. See you on the next one Sandy. And that was so nice of Zeta to take your daughter out for the brisk walk, run, jump, spin, and dodge lol!!!
I’m a regular visitor to Savernake, and have seen Big Belly a few times, it’s a truly wondrous tree. Was there today actually and found a named tree I hadn’t seen before, Ayers Oak.
Excellent Sandy great trees, there's one not far from me in Essex a place called Fingringhoe mad name but the tree a good 600 year old magnificent things, they call it the hanged man's tree supposedly a pirate or highwayman was hung then buried with acorn in his mouth outside of the graveyard
Morning Sandy we went through the forest yesterday on our way out a lot of tree work going on maybe due to the Ash dieback infection in the trees which line the road the old oak is still asleep waiting for the spring to awaken.
Hi Gordon, I rode through that way a few days ago too, yes saw lots of tree work and yes the old Decanter Oak was clearly visible, I hope it wakes up for the spring:)
Thanks again Sandy for another enjoyable walk through the forest, and showing us that grand old Oak. outstanding longevity !. but sad that its so close to that road/highway. Glad to see Ann out and about with you, but she had her hands full with the dog/dogs. who was walking who? Every time you show us some Puffballs, I think back years ago I drove a small van for a cleaning business one summer vaction, and there was an old fellow down in Gr Barrington ma, that had tons of them on his property and he used to harvest them. had them all laid out on tables in the sun preparing them for storage and consumption. he had some the size of footballs! huge!. so thanks again Sandy for the great walk and showing us that great Oak. and for sharing 73! gud dx de Ellis WA1RKS
We get giant puffballs over here too Ellis, I've never tasted them but maybe one day. The smaller puffball is edible and there is another one called an Earth ball that is indigestible! For most of that Oaks life the road would have been a quiet track but now it is crazy busy at times. If the Oak lasts another hundred years maybe the road will go quiet once again!
Amazing. I’ve driven past that tree hundreds of times and never knew it’s history. It demands your attention as you drive past it. Superb. Bye for now!
The Oaks are amazing, the oaks of England built the Royal Navy that at one time spanned the entire globe. I love ancient trees and this was a great video Sandy. Your daughter is a joy and a real trooper I think the dogs walked her more than she walked the dogs.
The colours are just beginning Marcus, I have a nice single malt and some chocolates. Thanks for the lovely card and yes Carmen got a fuss:) So did Zeta
If trees could speak I wonder if we would still cut them down? The things that one has seen (and could tell) are mind boggling! Stay safe and healthy my friend!
Savernake is a wonderful old woodlands to roam around Sandy, I love our distinguished forest's, being born in the New Forest myself. Have you seen the old Oak with the absolutely huge, must be 5-6 feet across and sticks out about 3 ft, Burl growing out the side of it, Lou and me came across it a while back by chance.
@@WiltshireMan It's not far off one of the main track's, we were parked in the main public parking/picnicking/camping area and wondered up the main track from there where the Oak would be on the right, somewhere.
I visited there for the first time a few months ago...Took the road route by foot from parking in the layby. Wasn't too bad. But what a wonderful tree. A road was next to the tree back in the 1800s as there's old photos online, so guess the road has just stayed and gotten busier.
Have you visited the Fortingall Yew Tree in Perthshire Sandy ? My father grew up in the village eighty odd years ago and I went back with him to visit his past and it was one of the things we visited. I had planned to return with my biker gang in 2020 but covid stopped that. But it is in a very nice region of Scotland with some great biking roads.
Dear Sandy. Thank you for this beautiful video. We have two ancient oaks on our land, now registered in the Norwegian register of protected oaks. But they are nowhere as big as that one. It is more impressive than any man made building, if you ask me. Btw, have you tried harness instead of collars? We found that sighthounds act calmer if you walk them with a harness, and they have somewhat fragile necks. If I remember correctly, your dogs are lurchers, so the same might apply for them.
I remember being in awe of that old oak when I started driving hgvs 33 years ago . I’ve passed it so many times , and I always say “hi” to it in my mind. The Savarnak is a haunting magical 🧙♀️ place. Love to see if you do a motorcycle stealth 🥷 wild camp 🏕 there ! Yr gal is a chip off the old block 😂👍
Such a beautiful wood! The oak is simply amazing! Have you thought of using a halti harness on your dog that pulls? I had a dog with similar problems and you have much more control with a halti harness. Great video once again x
Oh dear sandy ann,s Anne's a chip off your old block 👌 A very enjoyable video on the Great ole Oaks of England 👏👏👏👏 you'd have thought they'd detour that stretch of road to give big belly a bit of Respect 🤨 Anyway you look a picture of good health and keep your eyes open for the postman in the morning ya ole codger 🥃🐽 you have to put it on , Happy birthday 👍
Never work with animals or children. Your daughter was fine but I laughed out loud when the dog trod on the puff ball 😁👍 Stunned that the road went so close. Thanks for sharing.
Woow that tree is still going strong. What a great video (as always) I do appreciate the videography incl the drone footage and editing. Can I ask what video editing software do you use?. Many thanks.
Hi Graeme I have been using Power director 15 for the last 6 years now and am quite familiar with it. I think half the battle is knowing your way around the software
It would have seen some history thats for sure Coops. Apparently some timber way back in the past was felled from the tree making it the short stumpy thing it is today. I believe they Medashed with the oak planks:)
Tragic that the road was placed next to something so grand. To exist for so long and avoiding the blade of the woodsman, fire and natural process, only to be poisoned by car exhaust is sad. I wonder how many vehicles have struck it over the years?
Wow, those trees are amazing. There is nothing remotely like that here. Here the old oaks at the mansions are suffering. They are only about 200 year old.
@@WiltshireMan the heatwave from the last 3 years really have impacted our already pressured forest. Maybe I should do a vid about this, but it's all so depressing..
@@WiltshireMan I've made a terrible mistake. You are of course 100% correct. Oak is used in wine barrels and for smoking with beef roast. Turkish, English or American Walnut are the preferred stock material as you say. I didn't think before writing. None of my rifles have oak stocks, they're all Walnut, Rosewood or synthetic. Oops. :-)
Thanks to you and Anne, Sandy...
Great to see Ann out with you , good video my friend.
Thanks Doug, hope your doing well. Good to see your comment
Thank you for letting us visit this wonderful old tree with you 🌳🌳Sadly here the 500+ year old 'Darwin Oak' is due to be felled for a new road 😢
I don't know what to say. Progress is retrograde. Sad to hear an old tree will not be left alone!
Stunning area Mr W. Nice to sit somewhere quiet & chill there, just watch & listen. Beech & oak are the best trees i think, both lovely. I like your apprentice Miss Wiltshirewoman!! 👍
Simply magnificent …
That beautiful, magnificent Oak Sandy has seen plenty come and go. An ecosystem in its own right. I am in awe of these titans of nature. The oaks I planted some 12 years ago in and around Trailcam Wood are doing well, established and reaching for the sky. Some have provided acorns and their offspring are also being planted... two last week and more going in this week and the weeks to follow. Hopefully they will reach up to ensure the longevity of the wood. Paul 👍😊
Thanks Paul I shall have to take a leaf out of your book and plant a few acorns:)
@@WiltshireMan That Sandy would be a worthwhile endeavour 👍😊
Wonderful film Sandy. It’s hard to comprehend anything living for 1100 years ( though I think my old maths teacher may have been close).
What a stat that is. “when Henry viii was on the throne it was already 600.”
That was a good mood trip out thanks for taking us along.
Lovely video. Such a fantastic oak tree.
Thanks for showing us around the ancient woodland.
Bye Stuart 😊
Lovely to see those majestic oaks and they really are the kings (and queens) of the forest. We have some lovely oak woodlands here in Kent but I have never seen any as big as your pot-bellied friend in Savernake. If it could talk I bet it could tell some great stories of centuries past.
I`ve driven past that tree many times, and thought if that old boy could speak what stories he could tell, thanks for making this video.
Lovely video Sandy! Trees are wonderful and people should acknowledge them more, and as a society we should be putting more trees in!!
Well said! I agree:)
What a beautiful recording Sandy and Annie, deeply impressive, don't we just love our old trees?, well done. Harry
I love the old tree's Harry, glad you enjoyed the video and I hope you are well
Sandy
Thank you for sharing your adventure!
Lovely to see Annie out with you for a change and judging by the canine excitement, a wise decision lol. Will send you a couple of pics of a few oaks, I grew up around as a, boy, one so old it's had better days now. Spent several nights sleeping at the base of the limbs as a, kid. Great video Sandy
The dogs can be hard work Steve especially when trying to take photos
It boggles the mind to think of the times this grand old oak tree has lived through. A nice sales pitch for your channel right at the end too by your daughter , a delightful young woman.
I love trees but the oak is always a favourite. I must try and visit this forest myself one day. Your daughter is lovely and cheerful 😊
Beautiful Oak tree looks good for its age. I was there possibly 10 years with researchers and they done a core sample. And u are correct with the age. I was down there with our class from the university of Edinburgh. When I was studying my PhD in plant biology at the time.
It has to be amongst one of the oldest Oak tree's in the UK
@@WiltshireMan it's the oldest oak tree in the UK.
Eye looking great, Sandy!
Hey Sandy!! A very nice video! Love them trees, thank you for taking us along your hike at the ancient oaks of Savernake, beautiful woodland!! Great to see You, Annie, and your adorable doggies out and about…Wanna wish you a warm and blessed happy birthday! Enjoy and have a wonderful day!!🙏
Thanks for watching Amante, there are some wonderful old tree's in Savernake forest
@@WiltshireMan … You’re welcome Sandy!!🙏 It’s a beautiful forest!! Love iT!!💙
What a magnificent tree. So sad it is now next to a busy road. Surely something so special should be protected. Another enjoyable video. Many thanks.
Wonderful video thank you 💚🙏💚
Thanks Sandy for sharing this piece of history with us . I am just glad that when they built the road that they were wise enough not to remove it. It is good to see that your eye is doing so well after the operation, Stay well ,stay safe and 73
Thanks John yes the eye is doing very well.I am happy and a bit relieved to tell you the truth
But they weren't wise enough to give this magnificent more space were they.I visited this forest from Marlborough and wasn't aware of Big Belly Oak, as I went there in the spring to sketch the expansive display of bluebells.I wonder do the bluebells stretch as far as this wonderful oak??
Those trees survived many things and I hope they continue for a long time to come.
I just wonder how many more years the Big Bellied Oak will be able to survive this crazy world that we have now. I wish it an even longer life. I have always thought of the old oak trees that sometimes dot the forests as the royalty of the woodlands. They always seem to be surrounded by the taller and healthier looking trees of other species, but, the oaks seem to outlast them all. Thanks for the walk out in the beautiful forest. It was very enjoyable. See you on the next one Sandy. And that was so nice of Zeta to take your daughter out for the brisk walk, run, jump, spin, and dodge lol!!!
Thanks Terry, The Oaks are quite long lived but the Yew tree's here in the UK will outlive them by a huge margin
Nice explore interesting find and views with the drone
Got to say Sandy your daughter made that video she seems real fun. 😃
Well, what I can I say im very humours haha. Wiltshire mans daughter
I can relate to that tree in a way, well the belly part, lol. Great video as always bro. Safe travels up your way
Sandy interesting- Thank you
I’m a regular visitor to Savernake, and have seen Big Belly a few times, it’s a truly wondrous tree. Was there today actually and found a named tree I hadn’t seen before, Ayers Oak.
Don't think I've vistited the Ayers Oak yet
Excellent Sandy great trees, there's one not far from me in Essex a place called Fingringhoe mad name but the tree a good 600 year old magnificent things, they call it the hanged man's tree supposedly a pirate or highwayman was hung then buried with acorn in his mouth outside of the graveyard
I’m gonna have to visit that forest soon ! Great little video
Morning Sandy we went through the forest yesterday on our way out a lot of tree work going on maybe due to the Ash dieback infection in the trees which line the road the old oak is still asleep waiting for the spring to awaken.
Hi Gordon, I rode through that way a few days ago too, yes saw lots of tree work and yes the old Decanter Oak was clearly visible, I hope it wakes up for the spring:)
Thanks again Sandy for another enjoyable walk through the forest, and showing us that grand old Oak. outstanding longevity !. but sad that its so close to that road/highway. Glad to see Ann out and about with you, but she had her hands full with the dog/dogs. who was walking who? Every time you show us some Puffballs, I think back years ago I drove a small van for a cleaning business one summer vaction, and there was an old fellow down in Gr Barrington ma, that had tons of them on his property and he used to harvest them. had them all laid out on tables in the sun preparing them for storage and consumption. he had some the size of footballs! huge!. so thanks again Sandy for the great walk and showing us that great Oak. and for sharing 73! gud dx de Ellis WA1RKS
We get giant puffballs over here too Ellis, I've never tasted them but maybe one day. The smaller puffball is edible and there is another one called an Earth ball that is indigestible!
For most of that Oaks life the road would have been a quiet track but now it is crazy busy at times. If the Oak lasts another hundred years maybe the road will go quiet once again!
Amazing - I bet that tree could tell some stories.
Apparently Henry 8th was supposed to have had a picnic beneath this tree when he was courting Jane Seymour who lived close by
I suspect Henry would have had less trouble finding somewhere to park than modern visitors! 😉
Amazing. I’ve driven past that tree hundreds of times and never knew it’s history. It demands your attention as you drive past it. Superb. Bye for now!
Thank You :)
Nice to have an assistant to help with the dogs and your lines at the end.
It was Almonte
The Oaks are amazing, the oaks of England built the Royal Navy that at one time spanned the entire globe. I love ancient trees and this was a great video Sandy. Your daughter is a joy and a real trooper I think the dogs walked her more than she walked the dogs.
Thanks Bruce yes Oak was the favourite wood for the old ship builders:)
Beautiful video as always. Your flying skills (in particular) are beyond reproach. Thank you for uploading. Atb.
Thanks Russell
Some really beautiful autumnal colours there sandy and that oak was very impressive a very nice little stroll indeed 👍♥️😊
The colours are just beginning Marcus, I have a nice single malt and some chocolates. Thanks for the lovely card and yes Carmen got a fuss:) So did Zeta
@@WiltshireMan happy birthday sandy have a top day 👍👍👍😊😊😊
Another great video, i am ashamed to say that I have driven past it a few times and thought it must be old but didn't realise the significance of it.
Cheers Sandy, good to know 👍🌳
I love the old trees Andy, I was camped in this woodland a couple of years back and Rob flew over in the paramotor.
Autumn does bring some amazing colours . It is great fun trying to capture that special photo.👍📸
Thats the art of photography Charles, trying to tell a story with a single picture
If trees could speak I wonder if we would still cut them down? The things that one has seen (and could tell) are mind boggling! Stay safe and healthy my friend!
I would find it very hard to cut down a living tree Dan
@@WiltshireMan me too and too this day the wood I use to carve is all wind fall.
Savernake is a wonderful old woodlands to roam around Sandy, I love our distinguished forest's, being born in the New Forest myself. Have you seen the old Oak with the absolutely huge, must be 5-6 feet across and sticks out about 3 ft, Burl growing out the side of it, Lou and me came across it a while back by chance.
I think I know the tree you mean Paul, I've seen quite a few of the old big Oaks in Savernake over the years
@@WiltshireMan It's not far off one of the main track's, we were parked in the main public parking/picnicking/camping area and wondered up the main track from there where the Oak would be on the right, somewhere.
Great video 👍
Thank you for the video. Always enjoy your videos.
Thanks for watching Frank
"Here we have the standard puffball" ,oops never mind:] Another brilliant video Sandy!
LOL the dog put her foot in it
Excellent
Great vid mate - love the oak
Thank you Sandy - an amazing video.
I visited there for the first time a few months ago...Took the road route by foot from parking in the layby. Wasn't too bad. But what a wonderful tree. A road was next to the tree back in the 1800s as there's old photos online, so guess the road has just stayed and gotten busier.
I'm sure there has been a road there for a thousand years or more, maybe it was just a cart track for most of it's time
What a lovely well put together video,
Top class
Atb
Graeme
Thanks Graeme glad you enjoyed it
Have you visited the Fortingall Yew Tree in Perthshire Sandy ? My father grew up in the village eighty odd years ago and I went back with him to visit his past and it was one of the things we visited. I had planned to return with my biker gang in 2020 but covid stopped that. But it is in a very nice region of Scotland with some great biking roads.
Never seen that tree John but it's on my bucket list for sure
Wonderful. There is an oak in Lincolnshire that is more than 40 feet in circumference. Lovely to see a touch of the autumnal colours in this video
I think in another week or two the autumn colours will be at there best Bry
@@WiltshireMan Indeed, it is only just starting now... HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!!!
Been past big belly Oak on the way to the great Dorset steam fair
Dear Sandy. Thank you for this beautiful video. We have two ancient oaks on our land, now registered in the Norwegian register of protected oaks. But they are nowhere as big as that one. It is more impressive than any man made building, if you ask me. Btw, have you tried harness instead of collars? We found that sighthounds act calmer if you walk them with a harness, and they have somewhat fragile necks. If I remember correctly, your dogs are lurchers, so the same might apply for them.
Thanks Bjorn I have tried harness but they pulled even more, I am working on a solution though:)
Gorgeous Sandy. You would think the Forestry would protect it or have the road moved.
I'm all for having the road moved, I have an idea, why don't we move the road....back in time
@@WiltshireMan Now that's a good idea.
A nice video, such a pity that the tree has to stand beside that busy road.
I remember being in awe of that old oak when I started driving hgvs 33 years ago . I’ve passed it so many times , and I always say “hi” to it in my mind. The Savarnak is a haunting magical 🧙♀️ place. Love to see if you do a motorcycle stealth 🥷 wild camp 🏕 there ! Yr gal is a chip off the old block 😂👍
It's the same for me when I drive past it too
Great to see that as I've only ever seen it several times from the road , it really stands out, especially if you are driving towards Marlborough
Yes they say it's the most seen tree but the least visited due to being far away from any parking and no direct footpath
Such a beautiful wood! The oak is simply amazing! Have you thought of using a halti harness on your dog that pulls? I had a dog with similar problems and you have much more control with a halti harness. Great video once again x
Oh dear sandy ann,s Anne's a chip off your old block 👌 A very enjoyable video on the Great ole Oaks of England 👏👏👏👏 you'd have thought they'd detour that stretch of road to give big belly a bit of Respect 🤨 Anyway you look a picture of good health and keep your eyes open for the postman in the morning ya ole codger 🥃🐽 you have to put it on , Happy birthday 👍
Cheers Martin I'll keep an eye out for the postman, yes an is a good kid, still see her as my little baby girl even though she is 29 next birthday
@@WiltshireMan ahh, dad I'll always be your baby girl no matter how old I am.
@@anniejack5012 Baby Anne:)
That's just fantastic. Very odd though that they couldn't move that road over 10 feet.🤔👍
Never work with animals or children. Your daughter was fine but I laughed out loud when the dog trod on the puff ball 😁👍 Stunned that the road went so close. Thanks for sharing.
Apparently they even took a chain saw to part of the tree 50 years ago as it was encroaching onto the road, or did the road encroach toward the Oak?:)
Do you know, Andy, that trees give each other signals, with their roots.
It’s a shame of men to build a road so close.
Yes I know that. Very clever
@@WiltshireMan you do have an email adres, i want to send you something
Woow that tree is still going strong. What a great video (as always) I do appreciate the videography incl the drone footage and editing.
Can I ask what video editing software do you use?.
Many thanks.
Hi Graeme I have been using Power director 15 for the last 6 years now and am quite familiar with it. I think half the battle is knowing your way around the software
Nice
Stunning trees, I've driven past that oak so many times.....if trees could talk eh!
It would have seen some history thats for sure Coops. Apparently some timber way back in the past was felled from the tree making it the short stumpy thing it is today. I believe they Medashed with the oak planks:)
@@WiltshireMan 🤣
Being English i naturally feel related to trees 🌳 and water 💧 😅 it's a trip 🇬🇧
interesting. thank yew
If you could find a piece of wood on the ground from this tree you could
make a knife handle with a historic past.
Well, it is twice as old as I feel. ; )
Tragic that the road was placed next to something so grand. To exist for so long and avoiding the blade of the woodsman, fire and natural process, only to be poisoned by car exhaust is sad. I wonder how many vehicles have struck it over the years?
a cute daughter you have
"I've just found a puffball... oh". Classic British comedy moment. I bet Chris Packham never has ts sort of trouble, eh?
The dog beat me to it Barry:)
The oak is about the same age as the Darley oak.
Wow, those trees are amazing. There is nothing remotely like that here. Here the old oaks at the mansions are suffering. They are only about 200 year old.
Thats a shame Spijker, More fortunate over here as many of the Oaks live quite long lives
@@WiltshireMan the heatwave from the last 3 years really have impacted our already pressured forest. Maybe I should do a vid about this, but it's all so depressing..
..........Big Belly Oak.......if that tree could talk I would lend an ear.
How many rifle stocks would that road hazard make ?
None as Oak is generally not used, walnut being the preferred wood:)
@@WiltshireMan I've made a terrible mistake. You are of course 100% correct.
Oak is used in wine barrels and for smoking with beef roast.
Turkish, English or American Walnut are the preferred stock material as you say.
I didn't think before writing. None of my rifles have oak stocks, they're all Walnut, Rosewood or synthetic. Oops. :-)
@@WiltshireMan I have a chainsaw and a bulldozer that would take care of that tree.
I need new contact lenses... I thought the title was Big Bellend.... 😂
Didn’t Severn oaks become one oak after the storm in 87
Quite possibly. That was a hell of a storm
Imagine seeing a geek these days and saying you come from Savanac 😅,they'd reply "Is that near Mordor Gondor or the Shire your Lordship 🤴💍 😅
Love this film, never work with children or animals 😜
If they could speak what stories they would relate.
Makes our puny life scale look pathetic ...
Brilliant. Never work with animals or children ha ha.
Very true Dave:)
I'm not a child if you're referring to me that is 😲🤣
@@anniejack5012 no never lol
@@daisolorider to be honest I do act like a kid even though I'm 29 next year 🤣🤣
@@anniejack5012 😄😄