Tree Information: ID 147

• Species: Pedunculate Oak
  (Quercus robur)
• Council: Epping Parish: Chigwell
• Form: MaidenStatus:Notable
• Girth: 3.4mHeight:20 PlusAge:1750-1800
• Context: Forest
• TPO number: Veteran Tree No.:VT C002
• Grid Ref: TQ 47131 93513
  
• Accessibility: Public - open access
• Nominator: Several people
• Date Entered: 26 Oct 2006
• Photograph©Date taken:

Reason for nomination:

• "As well as the gypsy’s there were tramps and vagabonds still living in what was left of Hainault Forest. The most famous of these was Dido, where locally he was well known as a herbalist. He came to Chigwell Row in 1880, and set up camp in Hainault Forest. Around the turn of the century Alice Clark (1890-1964) used to visit him with other local children. She said his camp was under a large oak tree to the left of Sheep Water, a well; and that he always wore a type of ‘Fez’ with a tassel on the top. (Victorian Smoking Cap?) She said they used to call him ‘Dido Jones’; this may have been the local children’s nickname for Dido, as there are no other known references to the ‘Jones’. He wasn’t a gypsy though he lived a gypsy like existence. His reputation as a herbalist spread in the community and he was always in demand. Many of his remedies included ‘cures’ for whooping cough, measles, burns and liver complaints. He believed that ‘the liver is the kitchen of the body, and if the kitchen is not in order then the whole house will be upset’. The sick would be visited, even those with contagious diseases such as diphtheria and scarlet fever, when others would stay away. Rare ferns collected from Loughton, were made into a ‘green ointment’ that he used for cuts and bruises, sprains, rheumatism and chilblains. The story goes that one winter’s day, the driver of the horse drawn bus that went from Lambourne to Woodford had chilblains so bad that he could not hold his reins. Dido’s green ointment allegedly cured him in two days! He was a bit of a rogue; he collected the leaves of Hawthorne and Blackthorn, and dried and sold them as Tea in Bunhill Row market in the East End. He also caught wild birds and sold them. In 1905 he had to leave the forest, along with the gypsy’s and others, and lived in a field in Vicarage Lane. There was much speculation as to his former life; it was suggested he had been thwarted in love like the Queen from whom he took his name. After his death in 19?, his real name was revealed as William Bell, a London docker and part time fishmonger. From where he had obtained his herbalist skills from no one knew." Peter Comber. "I see this very tall oak tree every time I walk our dogs with mummy. It is reflected in the water and it is very restful when you are on the seat opposite, even in the winter. It is taller than other trees around and is my favourite tree". Devon Scott

Remarks & Tree condition:

• Dido's oak stands in Hainault Forest which is managed by the Woodland Trust. It is located adjacent to Sheep Water, a very tranquil place.