The recent felling of a 500-year-old ancient oak tree in north London has sparked outrage, reminiscent of the reaction to the alleged chopping down of the Sycamore Gap tree in September 2023. What exactly causes such strong emotions when these trees are removed, and what measures are in place to protect them?
The classification of a tree as ancient primarily depends on the amount of time it has existed. Dr. Ed Pyne, senior conservation adviser for trees at the Woodland Trust, explains that ancient trees have surpassed maturity and entered into the ancient life phase, which can be the longest stage of their life cycle for some tree species. The time it takes for a tree to reach ancient status varies among different types of trees – a fast-growing birch can be considered ancient at 150 years old, while a slow-growing yew may not achieve this status until it is around 800 years old.
The Woodland Trust maintains an Ancient Tree Inventory, listing over 190,000 of the UK’s oldest and most significant trees, although Dr. Pyne notes that this inventory is still incomplete. Ancient trees are distributed throughout the country on both public and private land, with particularly high numbers found in former royal hunting grounds like the New Forest and Windsor Great Park. Britain is recognized for its wealth of ancient trees, boasting more ancient and veteran oak trees than any other European country.
Ancient and veteran trees play a crucial role in providing diverse habitats for wildlife due to their decaying nature, attracting a variety of organisms from fungi and lichen to bats and birds. These trees also hold historical significance, linking them to past events or periods. In addition, ancient trees offer cultural value, with individuals forming personal connections to them through memories and experiences. Legislation such as Tree Protection Orders and Felling Licences provide some level of protection for these valuable trees, although there is ongoing debate about the effectiveness of these measures and calls for a more robust system to safeguard ancient trees
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