Oaks of Avalon

The Oaks of Avalon is the collective name given to a pair of ancient oak trees, Gog and Magog, that stand in Glastonbury in Somerset, South West England. The trees were named after the ancient apocalyptic figures Gog and Magog.[1]

The trees are believed to have been originally part of a ceremonial avenue towards the Glastonbury Tor, the avenue was cut down in 1906 to make way for a farm, with the timber being sold to J. Snow & Son, a local timber merchant.[2] At the time of the 1906 felling of the avenue one of the oak trees was measured at 11ft in diameter and had more than 2000 season growth rings.[1][3] A historically based belief has Joseph of Arimathea following the row of trees towards the tor upon his arrival in Albion.[4]

In April 2017, though already dead, Gog was badly damaged by fire from a candle. The fire is believed to been accidental, and was put out by Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service.[5][6]

References
  1. Glastonbury Pilgrim Reception Centre: Gog & Magog - Glastonbury Pilgrim Reception Centre, accessdate: April 28, 2017
  2. Arthur Eedle (11 March 2013). Albion Restored. Lulu.com. p. 166. ISBN 978-1-291-32325-2.
  3. The Guardian: Ancient Glastonbury oak tree known as Gog damaged in fire | UK news | The Guardian, accessdate: April 28, 2017
  4. Gailand MacQueen (2005). The Spirituality of Mazes and Labyrinths. Wood Lake Publishing Inc. p. 106. ISBN 978-1-896836-69-0.
  5. Somerset Live: A 2000-year-old Glastonbury oak tree called Gog has gone up in flames | Somerset Live, accessdate: April 28, 2017
  6. Somerset Live: People are crying as they visit 2,000-year-old tree Gog that went up in flames near Glastonbury | Somerset Live, accessdate: April 28, 2017

51.1508°N 2.6857°W / 51.1508; -2.6857

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