Just south of Jedburgh, Scotland, beside the main A68 road is the ‘heritage’ Capon Tree. We walked along the road, pavement all the way luckily, to look at this famous tree. Several books feature Heritage Trees in this country and in Ireland including Thomas Pakenham’s Meetings with Remarkable Trees; The Heritage Trees of Britain and Northern Ireland; Heritage Trees of Ireland; Heritage Trees of Scotland and Heritage Trees Wales.

“The Capon Tree, a hollow oak, is one of the last survivors of the ancient Jed Forest, and could be 1,000 years old. The vast trunk, with a 10m girth, has split in two. It’s one of the 50 most significant trees in the UK. It gets its name from the Capuchin monks who sheltered under it as they travelled to Jedburgh Abbey. It is also a former meeting place of the Border Clans and was once known as “The Hanging Tree”. It is very possible that the poet James Thomson was inspired by the Capon Tree as he wrote “The Seasons” based on his travels around the Jed Valley. The Capon Tree features in the ceremonial of the Jethart Callant’s Festival.” [source]

The Hollow Trunk of the Capon Tree

The Capon Tree looks to be thriving!