'Mighty oaks – from little acorns grow'.

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Roger Franks planting the sapling oak tree on the green in 1964

Donated by Roger Franks

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Roger Franks standing alongside the mature oak tree.

Photo by David Dykes 2022

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The oak tree in the street scene

Photo by David Dykes 2022

Oak tree on village green

In 1953, Roger Franks who was just 5 years old, whilst out walking with his parents along Maxham’s Green Road, picked up an acorn and took it home.

He planted it in his parents garden where it rooted and thrived. After 11 years, in Spring 1964, the tree was dug from the garden and transplanted onto the village green. The tree was planted to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the death of the village poet John Clare, and replaced an old lime tree which had been planted in 1886 and removed in 1963.

The tree now forms part of the village street scene and affords some welcome shade in high summer.