William Lucombe
Encyclopedia
William Lucombe was a nurseryman, who gave his name to the Lucombe Oak
(Quercus x hispanica 'Lucombeana'). He bred it at his nursery in St Thomas
, Exeter
which he founded in 1720 (now Pinces Gardens). The Lucombe Oak was first spotted in 1762 when Lucombe noticed that one of the saplings produced from a Turkey Oak acorn he had planted kept its leaves in winter. He later observed that these features occurred where both parents (Turkey Oak
and Cork Oak
) grew. True Lucombe Oaks are clones of the original tree, but Lucombe Oak is also often used to refer to any hybrid between Turkey Oaks and Cork Oaks.
One of the early Lucombe Oaks went to Kew
, and Lucombe Oaks along with their descendents, which include back crosses with the naturalised Turkey Oak, are common in the landscape of East Devon, as well as parks and gardens.
Lucombe felled the original hybrid in 1785, keeping timber from it from which his coffin was to be made when he died. He stored the boards under his bed; however, he lived, for the age, an exceptionally long life, dying at the age of 102 years, by which time the planks had decayed in the Devon damp. On his death timber from one of his early graft propagations was used to make his coffin.
Turkey Oak
Quercus cerris, the Turkey oak is an oak native to southern Europe and Asia Minor. It is the type species of Quercus sect. Cerris, a section of the genus characterised by shoot buds surrounded by soft bristles, bristle-tipped leaf lobes, and acorns that usually mature in 18...
(Quercus x hispanica 'Lucombeana'). He bred it at his nursery in St Thomas
St Thomas, Exeter
St Thomas is a large civil parish in Devon, England, on the western side of the river Exe, connected to Exeter by Exe Bridge. It has a number of pubs, places of worship, a couple of schools and a large shopping precinct...
, Exeter
Exeter
Exeter is a historic city in Devon, England. It lies within the ceremonial county of Devon, of which it is the county town as well as the home of Devon County Council. Currently the administrative area has the status of a non-metropolitan district, and is therefore under the administration of the...
which he founded in 1720 (now Pinces Gardens). The Lucombe Oak was first spotted in 1762 when Lucombe noticed that one of the saplings produced from a Turkey Oak acorn he had planted kept its leaves in winter. He later observed that these features occurred where both parents (Turkey Oak
Turkey Oak
Quercus cerris, the Turkey oak is an oak native to southern Europe and Asia Minor. It is the type species of Quercus sect. Cerris, a section of the genus characterised by shoot buds surrounded by soft bristles, bristle-tipped leaf lobes, and acorns that usually mature in 18...
and Cork Oak
Cork Oak
Quercus suber, commonly called the Cork Oak, is a medium-sized, evergreen oak tree in the section Quercus sect. Cerris. It is the primary source of cork for wine bottle stoppers and other uses, such as cork flooring. It is native to southwest Europe and northwest Africa.It grows to up to 20 m,...
) grew. True Lucombe Oaks are clones of the original tree, but Lucombe Oak is also often used to refer to any hybrid between Turkey Oaks and Cork Oaks.
One of the early Lucombe Oaks went to Kew
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, usually referred to as Kew Gardens, is 121 hectares of gardens and botanical glasshouses between Richmond and Kew in southwest London, England. "The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew" and the brand name "Kew" are also used as umbrella terms for the institution that runs...
, and Lucombe Oaks along with their descendents, which include back crosses with the naturalised Turkey Oak, are common in the landscape of East Devon, as well as parks and gardens.
Lucombe felled the original hybrid in 1785, keeping timber from it from which his coffin was to be made when he died. He stored the boards under his bed; however, he lived, for the age, an exceptionally long life, dying at the age of 102 years, by which time the planks had decayed in the Devon damp. On his death timber from one of his early graft propagations was used to make his coffin.