The oak is seen as the tree of England by the English. However, in almost every country where the oak resides, it is seen by that population as their national tree, a symbol of the fortitude and warmth of their country. The truth is that such is the importance of the oak, and trees generally, in our psychology that we see them as part of our national identity. The reality is that their power is much stronger than that: they are part of our human identity.

          It is difficult to find a good, mature example of an oak in central London. This is in contrast to areas in outer London where the tree is abundant. There are examples on Hampstead Heath, in Greenwich Park, but the best specimens are at Whipps Cross in Leytonstone, which is the most westerly point of what used to be Epping Forest.

          This one, in Lincoln's Inn, is a young tree, but shows off the leaves and acorns well, and is a good starting point if you can't spare the time to go further a field.

Will the young oak of Linocoln's
Inn fields survive to maturity,
like this one in Leytonstone?