Oak trees planted by order of Nelson used to repair his ship 200 years on
Oak saplings planted in the Forest of Dean 200 years ago after a recommendation by Lord Nelson to Parliament, are to be used to repair HMS Victory.
Nelson was worried that the forest was being depleted of oak trees by charcoal burners and recommended the planting to guarantee a future supply of timber.
He was not to know the Navy would use aluminuim instead! But now his own ship is badly in need of the wood. The restoration of the famous warship is to be carried out in time for next year’s 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar.