PM 11 - Enhance veteran and ancient tree features
- Code
- PM 11
- Measure
- Enhance veteran and ancient tree features
- Description
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Ancient and veteran trees are of immense historical, cultural, ecological and landscape value. They are living relics of our landscape and provide habitats for a unique group of species requiring the distinct feature and characteristics. It is important to identify those present across the landscape as well identifying the veteran trees of the future. Ongoing management, where appropriate, will allow these to be safeguarded and veteranisation measures (accelerating the development of veteran features on young trees) could be implemented to bridge the generation gap between old and younger tree populations.
- Wider environmental benefits
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Improving air quality Supporting health and cultural services Improving soil health Promoting nature friendly farming
- Links to additional information and guidance
- Priority
- Ancient woodlands are more extensive, and existing ones are well-managed and restored
- Priority description
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Ancient woodlands are sites which have been continuously wooded since before 1600. Two types of ancient woodland exist: Ancient Semi-Natural Woods and Plantation on Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWS). The former are sites that have largely developed naturally and been continuously wooded, and the latter were previously ancient woodland sites that were cleared and have since been replanted or interplanted, often with commercial species, but which retain some of their former complexity. Approximately half of Herefordshire’s woodlands are recorded as ancient woodlands; however, most of these are located in isolated areas and should therefore be reconnected to create a strong network of ancient woodlands.