Laocoon

Laocoon was the name Tolkien gave to one of his favourite trees at the Botanic Garden of Oxford. Laocoon was a Black Pine, lat. Pinus nigra

On the last known photograph of Tolkien (taken 9 August 1973), he appears standing next to the tree.

According to Dr Stephen Harris of Oxford University’s Department of Plant Sciences:

If the story of the Black Pine is true then it should be at least 215 years old.

The tree suffered a collapse on the 26 July 2014 and was cut down shortly after due to safety concerns.

After its collapse Dr Harris said:

To celebrate its 400th anniversary, the Oxford Botanical Garden is partnering with The Oxford Artisan Distillery to produce Black Pine Whiskey. Some bottles will be available in boxes made from the tree's wood. The bottle's stoppers will also contain a small piece of wood.

A sapling grown from the tree was planted in the Literary Garden at Oxford by the then Prince Charles in June 2021.