We moved to Chilton village in the Vale of White Horse, Oxfordshire, about 10 years ago and discovered this rather wonderful horse chestnut tree on a walk. It was standing on its own, casting a deep shadow across our path in the evening sunshine.

As we looked up, it was difficult to grasp its size as the branches disappeared up into an ever more complex maze, with only the occasional dappling of sunlight through the gaps in the leaves to illuminate the way. The trunk had lots of small twig-like growths, which gave the impression that the tree had hairy legs, while the huge canopy resembled a vintage Kenner Tree Tots Treehouse playset.

It looked very settled and ancient, and as we gazed up we were drawn into its calm. And that’s the sense it brings to me whenever I’m in its presence. The sense of calm doesn’t change even as the tree moves through the seasons.

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