Dappled / adjective

~ marked with spots or rounded patches (word of uncertain origin).

Fastigiate / adjective / botany
(of a tree or shrub) having the branches more or less parallel to the main stem.

This is Quercus Fastigiata – an oak with a pyramid or fastigiate shape. According to the description on the little plaque next to the tree, it is a rare species. None of the other trees had plaques, so that in itself says that this is a rare species.

I looked at the leaves before I saw the plaque. I saw oak leaves and I couldn’t believe it. No oak in my experience was this shape. It was going against all previous information on oak-ness. Where were the spreading branches and the ruminants sheltering under it like in this ‘proper’ oak?

You learn something every day.