Jo Pullen's tree

Oxford Inscriptions: Jo Pullen’s Tree

Jo Pullen's Tree

NEAR THIS SPOT STOOD
THE FAMOUS ELM
PLANTED BY THE REV. JOSIAH PULLEN
ABOUT 1680 AND KNOWN AS
JO PULLEN’S TREE
DESTROYED BY FIRE
ON 13 OCTOBER 1909

Mrs Emily Alicia Morrell of Headington Hill Hall
paid to have this plaque installed on the side wall
of Davenport House which faces Pullen's Lane.
It marks the spot where the tree had stood.

Jo Pullen's tree

The elm tree known as “Joe Pullen’s Tree” was planted in about 1700 by the Revd Josiah Pullen, who was Vice-President of Magdalen Hall from 1656 until his death in 1714.

Magdalen Hall was then still situated in the grounds of Magdalen College, and the Rev Pullen also arranged for the creation of the present raised footpath up Headington Hill, which enabled him to walk up safely to the tree and back every day, a walk which Thomas Hearne says he accomplished in half an hour.

By 1909 there was only a stump left, and In the early morning of 13 October 1909, vandals set fire to it.

Right: Jo Pullen’s Tree in the 1840s

“Jo Pullen’s Tree”

The Revd Josiah Pullen