The tree in question came to be known as the Royal Oak, and this name was given to public houses around the country – and elsewhere in the former British Empire – as well as (to date) eight ships of the Royal Navy. 'The Royal Oak' is said to be the third most common pub name in Britain; the first ship was launched in 1664, and the eighth (which entered service in 1914 – exactly 250 years after the first) was sunk by enemy action in 1939.
The original tree was destroyed around 1725 after souvenir hunters had removed various parts of it. A further tree was planted on the same spot at around the same time; this is said to be a "descendant" of the original, and is known as Son of Royal Oak. Further descendants of the original tree have been planted in 1897 (to mark Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee), 1951 (to mark the tercentenary of the historic event) and 2001. Visitors can buy saplings, certified to have been grown from the Son's acorns, from the gift shop at Boscobel House.
The original Son of Royal Oak – now around 300 years old – was badly damaged by a storm in the year 2000, losing several branches. It is now surrounded by a fence, for the safety of visitors.
© Haydn Thompson 2021