Turner's Oak at Kew Gardens

 The Turner Oak is inspiration to us all......

 that sometimes after hardships we can come back stronger

London's Royal Botanical Gardens in Kew have many trees, but one has taught us more than all the others combined, that tree is Turner's Oak.

The ancient oak, planted in 1798 with a height of more than 16 meters, was starting to look tired and stressed, it had stopped growing well by the 1980's.

On the 18th of October 1987, England had a huge storm. 

15 million trees were blown over, many of the killed including 700 at Kew Gardens.

The 200 year old oak was hit, the tree was torn from the ground, it landed back in the hole where the roots were once buried, it was thought that it had been irrevocably damaged.

Garden management staff at Kew, propped the tree with steel beams to stop it collapsing whilst they worked on clearing away smaller trees.

When they came to clear Turner's Oak, they discovered it had not only started to grow again, it was revitalised and thriving, a new lease of life, greater than before the storm.

Watch here from the BBC  Coming Back Stronger

Being uprooted had loosened the soil around the roots, which had become compacted over decades of visitors. Air and water could now reach the roots, the great storm had helped the soil and the tree become healthy once more.

From this lesson, new techniques were introduced to protect trees, not just at Kew but around the world, including injecting air around roots and roping off areas around the trees.

I've been honoured to create a bespoke collection for Kew Gardens from this mighty oak tree, fallen twigs, acorns and leaves have been moulded and exact replicas made in solid silver.

Turner's Oak Acorn Pendant layered with our Turner Toggle Necklace.

Twigs on the bench made into Stud Earrings in silver for kew Gardens.

Turner's Oak leaves, growing strong once more, and here to be worn as a symbol of strength

and resilience in silver set with a moonstone dew drop.

  Oak leaves with Moonstone

Our collection is exclusively available through Kew Gardens, in their shop and online.

 Kew Gardens currently have the largest presentation of Henry Moore, with 30 sculptures installed throughout the gardens, 90 pieces in total. On until 31st January 2027

       Visit Kew Gardens London