Crouch Oak, Addlestone

This is one of Britain's oldest trees, possibly 11th century and indicating a boundary of
Windsor Forest.  Its name comes from either its low, crouching form or from a crutch
holding up a main branch, or from a cross placed on it as a marker.
Known as Wycliffe's Oak for some time (after the medieval scholar reputed to
have preached here), it was definitely the scene of a sermon by Spurgeon in 1872.   
Queen Elizabeth I is also reputed to have picnicked here.  
c1810 it was fenced by de Visme to prevent village maidens stripping the bark to make a
love potion.  In 2000 a young oak, known as the Millennium Oak, was planted near it;
in 2001 a large branch was pruned by Runnymede Council and the wood given to the
Historical Society, who have obtained an "Awards for All" grant to do tree-ring
analysis and other research into the tree.

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