The Queen (or the large beech tree to be more exact) is thought to be a historic boundry pollard; used to define a woodland boundary, and pollarded for repeated crops of wood.
This is one of several caches hidden in the grounds of Gibside. Gibside is a Georgian 'grand design' on a spectacular scale, a stunning 18th-century landscape; the vision of coal baron George Bowes. After centuries of decline, Gibside is improving and is now becoming a great place for both wildlife and people (keep an eye out for Red Kites circling in the skies above!).
For more information, visit https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/gibside