The Capon Tree Jed Forest, Jedburgh- Images By John Peters

Capon Tree, Jed Forest - Jedburgh

CAPON TREE - JED FOREST, JEDBURGH (viewed from the South. Another tree of note, The King Of The Wood is just off to the right of the photograph up a small track that winds its way between the hill side.)

The Capon tree is the last surviving tree of the once extensive Jed Forest, which clothed the Teviot Valley in centuries past.

Its unusual name is thought to have arisen from a corruption of the name of the Capuchin Order of monks, who used to shelter under its capacious canopy en route to Jedburgh Abbey. It is one of the Borders’ famous ‘named’ trees and a well-known sight to travellers on the busy A68.

Now very old, the oak’s trunk has split in two and the branches are propped up with wooden struts. Various attempts have been made to support the tree over the years, including filling the main trunk with concrete and stones. The wooden struts (See further photographs below) are the only effective means of supporting the branches as the trunk has split wide rendering the old concrete filling ineffective.

The Capon Tree is the scene of one of the ceremonies held during the Callant's Festival in early July each year. Leaving Lintalee, the Callant and his cavalcade proceed to the Capon Tree where the President of the Callant's Club pins a sprig from the tree to the Callant's lapel.

Species: Oak (Quercurs petraea)

Height: 17m, Diameter: 3m, Circumference: 10metres. Age: 400 years Grid Ref: NT 650 188

Access:

You can visit the Capon Tree and King o’ the Wood from Jedburgh. There is a large car park at the south side of the town, on the right hand side if you are approaching from the north. From here walk south on the pavement along the A68. About 1.5 km along (just after the white bridge) the Capon Tree is on the right hand side. King o’ the Wood is in the woodland opposite the Capon Tree. Enter the field on the other side of the A68 over the style, cross the field and walk up the track on the other side. King o’ the Wood is at the top of the track, another mighty Royal oak with a girth of 17 feet and a height of 95 feet!

The Capon Tree - One of fifty great British trees Capon Tree from the South

One of fifty Great British Trees. The King Of The Wood and a pair tree at Mary Queen Of Scots House are other notable trees in the vicinity. The Capon Tree from the South, photographed from the tail end of Priorhaugh

The River Jed running behind the Capon Tree near Hundalee Mill jedburgh

Poles supporting the Capon tree

The river Jed runs just behind the Capon Tree. Hundalee Mill is up around the corner a few hundred yards South of the tree. One of the massive branches that would be at ground level were it not for the substantial support poles underneath.

Capon tree panorama, three images stitched together.

The split in the trunk can clearly be seen in this photograph. The inner trunk is large enough to take several adults and a few bairn's.

The young oak tree behind the commemorative stone was planted by the Marquis of Lothian and Callant Eric Wright. To commemorate the 50th Jedburgh Callants Festival, 12th July 1996

The article below appeared in the local Borders Newspaper, The Southern Reporter.

The story centred around a strange metal object sculpted from tin, wire, small pebbles and feathers to name a few items.

Photograph and Article from Southern Reporter 18 March 2004

I'm not so sure if this is a mystery or a hoax. Looking in the gardens across the river Jed at Hundalee Mill, there is a crafted sculpture that looks like a small rocket.

It too is made from sheet metal, galvanised tin by the look of it. It is carefully sculpted with a degree of skill.

Was the 'mysterious icon' made by the same person? It's a possibility.

Capon Tree mystery has Jed historian stumped

CAPERS at Jedburgh's ancient Capon Tree have left former provost and historian George Millar in a spin.

There's been talk of paganism or witchcraft after a weird framework was found suspended from a high branch of the ancient oak.
The Capon Tree on the southern outskirts of the town is more than 500 years old and one of the few remaining from the ancient Forest of Jed.
And locals believe it was used as gallows for the hanging of local criminals.
George was told about the mysterious icon after it was spotted by a man walking his dog.
The egg-shaped basket is around three feet high and two feet broad at its widest and is artistically woven in fencing wire. It's decorated with delicate wood carvings and pheasant feathers attached to ornate small pieces of what appears to be coloured marble.
The base of zinc had been filled with hundreds of fresh wood shavings and suspended 20 feet from a branch by a canvas strap and wire suspension cable.
And hanging around it were four intricate metal wind chimes which were also decorated with feathers.
George told The Southern: "I find this all very strange. Witchcraft or pagan rituals immediately sprang to mind but I have never heard of anything like that happening around here – at least not nowadays.
And a search by The Southern team found no traces around the Capon Tree of fires, bubbling cauldrons or remains from sacrifices.
George went on: "Whatever it is and whatever it is meant to represent, it has been well crafted and obviously took some time to make. I don't believe it is youngsters just messing around. I believe it means something to someone or to some people.
"I am really interested in finding our more. I'd like to know what it symbolizes and why our ancient Capon Tree was chosen."
And George added: "After some original worries after looking around and thinking about it I know they have not intended to harm the tree. Whoever put it there even took the effort to use a canvas strap instead of just nails or bare wire.
"The use of wood sculptures and shavings, feathers and stones may point to a love of nature. I don't think there is anything sinister, but it is a mystery I would like to see solved."
The Capon Tree was part of the ancient Jed Forest of most oaks which were felled during the Napoleonic Wars to be used in building Britain's Royal Navy warships.
It is one of only a few that remain.

Home page / menu, click here, thank you -> Photo Galleries