A TREE BIG ENOUGH TO HOLD A BANQUET INSIDE IT. Thomas Pakenham reviewed THE LONG, LONG LIFE OF TREES by Fiona Stafford in The New York Review of Books (December 8). It is hard to know how long an oak tree can live because they are hollowed out as they get older so most of the tree rings disappear. Pakenham discusses several ancient oaks which are estimated to be hundreds of years old. He singles out the Bowthorpe Oak in Lincolnshire, which he guesses is at least 700 years old. Pakenham says that in the 18th century diner parties for up to 17 people were given inside the tree.
This wikipedia entry estimates that the Bowthorpe Oak is about 1000 years old and has a girth (apparently the diameter) of over 40 feet. The entry has photos of the Bowthorpe Oak, which is pollarded.
Check out the sequoias. Their girth is even greater. Often they have great scars from fires that eventually heal over. Ironically protection given them in the past from fires prevented them reproducing as their seeds are released only by the heat of fires that clear the space on the ground for germination and growth.
Although we lived on Hollow Tree Ridge Road and had a large hollow tree in front of the house, I had not realized that it is common for an old tree to be hollow.
Pakenhams always know where to find a good spot for a dinner party.