Veteran Trees Survey

Together with the Herefordshire Biodiversity Partnership and the Herefordshire Nature Trust, the Wye Valley AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) carried out this 2005 project. The Veteran Trees Survey took place within the LEADER+ parishes along the southern meanderings of the River Wye.

The importance of this survey becomes apparent when considering that approximately 80% of all the veteran trees in Europe are found in Britain, with Herefordshire maintaining one of the largest concentrations of them.

This is a one-year pilot project whose aims were:

• To record all of the veteran trees and their associated features in this area
• To test and refine the surveying methods, which will hopefully then be used across the county and other areas of the Wye Valley
• To survey individual trees and map the data onto the Wye Valley AONB’s Geographical Information System (GIS)

The project transferred all relevant information to interested groups and organisations to maximise the potential conservation opportunities. The links between the survey and conservation are vital for the indication of many wildlife species through location and population sizes. These species included (among others):·

Bat colonies
Bird roosts
Lichen
Fungi
Veteran trees were also recognised for their historic, cultural and landscape value.

A large proportion of the project was spent on training volunteers, which provided local communities an opportunity to assist in the surveying and awareness raising of veteran trees and their importance. Two one-day training courses were held to enable the volunteers to identify scientifically and methodically a veteran tree, and knowledgably use the proper equipment required to carry out the surveying.

"This area has long been recognised as important for its Veteran Trees. They provide important landmarks in the landscape and are extremely important for their biodiversity resource and cultural associations.
Working with local communities we were able to assess the local veteran tree resource and help to conserve the trees for the future. We were also able to provide advice to landowners on how they can manage their trees to keep them healthy." Andrew Nixon, Community Links Officer.

Andrew Nixon, Community Links Officer
Wye Valley AONB
Hadnock Road
Monmouth
NP25 3NG
Tel: 01600 710844
Fax: (01600) 772051
Email: office@wyevalleyaonb.org.uk
Website: www.wyevalleyaonb.org.uk

 

Katherine Owen, Survey Officer
Herefordshire Nature Trust
Lower House Farm
Ledbury Road
Tupsley
Hereford
HR1 1UT
Tel: 01432 356872
Fax: 01432, 275489

Website: www.wildlifetrust.org.uk/hereford