Currently the largest recorded English oak in New Zealand following the loss of the former national champion in Hastings in 2013 (NZNTT, 2013).

The tree stands at The Grange, also known as Greenwood Homestead, which was occupied by three generations of the pioneering Greenwood family from the early 1860s until the early 1890s.[1]

The planting date of the oak is documented in a letter dated 21 August 1943 from Ellen Theodora Greenwood. She wrote:

"The oak tree was grown from an acorn my mother brought back in her pocket from Mr Barnicoat's oak field in Richmond, the first time she rode over to Nelson after her marriage in 1864."[2]

This account indicates the tree was planted shortly after the marriage of Frederick Daw Greenwood (1844–1917) and Clara Maria Martin (1831–1913), who were married in Motueka on 6 September 1864. Frederick had emigrated to New Zealand in 1843 with his parents, Dr John Danforth Greenwood and Sarah (Field) Greenwood.

Some published accounts have incorrectly attributed the planting of the tree to Dr and Mrs Greenwood circa 1875. These accounts also repeat the tradition that the tree was grown from an acorn collected from the Barnicoat oaks at Ashfield, Richmond, but the contemporary family correspondence clearly indicates an earlier planting date and identifies Clara Greenwood as the person who collected the acorn.[3]

Cadwallader, B., 2013.

References

[1] Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga, 'The Grange' historical notes, List No. 1668 (accessed July 2013).

[2] Correspondence of Ellen Theodora Greenwood, letter dated 21 August 1943 to Edgar S. Wratt, then owner of the property. Copy supplied by Martin Whittaker, current owner.

[3] Burstall, S.W. NZFRI Forest Mensuration Report No. 21, February 1974.