Walton Wander No.1 Quercus Cerris Traditional Cache

This is the first in a 7 mile walk around the Walton area starting from Appleton Reservoir. There is a car park next to the golf course nearby, but it does get locked by the council in the evening. To avoid getting locked in you may be better off parking in the layby by the reservoir.
Keep an eye out for bonus info printed on the log books!

After the success of our Whitley Wander that was placed to celebrate finding 1000 caches, we thought it only correct to place another Wander to celebrate our approaching 2000th find. Don't forget to look out for the info for the Final Conundrum!

Quercus cerris, the Turkey Oak is a large deciduous tree growing to 25-40 m tall with a trunk up to 2 m diameter. Introduced in the 18th century this tree was planted for its fast growth. Its negative impact on native oaks was only discovered later - the tree harbours a parasitic wasp which destroys the acorns of other oaks so preventing the growth of new oaks. In 1998, the Ministry of Defence ordered the felling of all Turkey Oaks on its UK bases. The Turkey Oak is widely planted and is naturalised in much of Europe. This is partly for its relatively fast growth. It is used as an ornamental, and as a coastal windbreak. The wood has many of the characteristics of other oaks, but is very prone to crack and split and hence is relegated to such uses as fencing.