A Well-Remembered Tree

Bob Bunker’s Tree in Flete Estate, South Devon

The Story

The Miller boys were brought up in rural South Devon: three brothers Bill, Chris and Frank. As kids we rode our ponies in the woods on nearby Flete Estate.

A Tree in a Forest

A Tree in a Forest

A Tree in a Forest

A Tree in a Forest

A Special Tree

In the woods, we discovered a huge Sycamore tree, and at its base is a memorial stone, naming it ‘Bob Bunker’s Tree’. Engraved on a copper plate is a strange poem.The tree is over 100 years old and stands on land farmed by our brother Chris. It’s now hollow and has recently lost a big branch, but it’s part of our family history and perhaps not surprisingly we are all involved in agriculture, forestry and the environment.

We christen thee Bob Bunker’s Tree

For he hath bound thee round

With gentle waters fresh and new

Sparkling like the morning dew

Grow, grow

For thou art young

Not yet three score

Gentle Sycamore

Grow, grow, Robin grow

Thy pretty namesake, many a day

Shall lurk beneath each fostering bough

And o’er thy waters play

Robin grow

Well a’day

The man that hauls thee down

The Poem

Local Legend

We understand that Bob Bunker was a servant in nearby Flete House and this tree was dedicated to his sixty years of faithful service to the Mildmay Family.

That Tree, Chris, his wife Diana, Bill and youngstock

Diana’s watercolour of Bob Bunker’s Tree

Roots

Track Record’s philosophy is evidence of this … sustainability is at its core and that’s what ‘makes us tick’… origins, qualities, people and trust.And this is the basis of our partnership with our clients, helping to make sure that their entire product range is safe, sustainable and fit-for-purpose.A bit like Bob Bunker’s tree.