Knightwood Oak   Description The Knightwood Oak is thought to be about 600 years old, it is the Biggest oak in the New Forest with a girth of 25 feet. The shape indicates that the top of the tree was cut in its early days; known as pollarding this is the traditional way to harvest timber without killing the tree. Pollarding was made illegal (in the New Forest) in 1698 because it spoilt the shape of the trees for shipbuilding.     Contact Forestry Commission Tel: 023 8028 3141 Website Streetmap     More pictures     Directions Off A35 two miles west of Lyndhurst.     Parking See map on the right     Accessibility Suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs (1/4 mile walk).