Hainault Foresters, an archery group, consisting of principle ladies and gentlemen of the county, adopted the Oak as a meeting place. The tree's welfare suffered due to the number of visitors now attending the site and tall paling was placed around the tree to offer some protection against those who kindled fires against the trunk. Tree surgeon. Mr. Phillips, applied Mr. Forsyth's composition (cow dung, lime, wood ashes and sand) to the injured parts in the hope it would stimulate new growth. A board placed on the tree said: "All good foresters are requested not to hurt this old tree, a plaster having been lately applied to its wounds."