Join us along a series of caches celebrating wonderful trees. We are new to hiding caches so hope you enjoy them. There is nothing quite as lovely as a magnificent tree, so why not stop to admire them as you seek out these caches? please take care when retrieving and replacing the cache. The area can be slippy. Ensure container lid fully on and replace as found,
The Wonderful Oaks!
Cox’s Meadow was farmed until 1957 by the Cox family. The current flood scheme, completed in 2006 contributes to the 1:100 year flood protection scheme in Cheltenham. The flood storage area is designated land which is deliberately flooded during times of heavy rain. In extreme rainfall events it can hold back 74000 m3 of water. Clay and silt excavated from the site was used to build the flood embankment 4 m high x 400 m long, which runs alongside the River Chelt and continues to meet high ground in both directions. The structure acts as a barrier to stop flood water from reaching Cheltenham for a 1:100 year flood event. A culvert allows water through the embankment back to the River Chelt.
At dusk, from March to October this area is alive with foraging bats. As the temperature warms, and the bugs come out why not take some time to admire them darting between the trees and the street lamps? Species include common pipistrelle, and some daubentons feeding up and down the stream. A tiny pipistrelle can eat up to 3,000 insects in a night!
Take time to admire the beautiful oak trees nearby, an oak tree produces upto 10 million acorns during its lifetime. Although only 1 in 10000 will grow into an oak tree, these acorns offer food for birds and small mammals. An oak can live up to 1000 years. These trees have Tree Protection orders on them to protect them as they "bring significant amenity benefit to the local area"
Just for fun - How old are these trees? – Let’s get ready to hug them!
Measure the tree at approximately 1.5m from the ground (use your arms to hug around the tree). Use the list below to guestimate the tree age
Girth of tree - Age in years
1m 85cm (75 yrs)
1m 98cm (80 yrs)
2m 48cm (103 yrs)
3m 10cm (138 yrs)
3m 70cm (181 yrs)
4m 33cm (232 yrs)
4m 95cm (291 yrs)
5m 58cm (291 yrs)
6m 20cm (358 yrs)