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 features and characteristics the trees exhibit. It is important to identify and protect those present across the landscape, including in an urban setting, as well identifying the veteran trees of the future. Ancient and veteran trees should be cared for by ensuring they have enough space around them to protect both roots and branches, by retaining decaying wood including branches that have become detached and allowing the tree to age and decay as naturally as possible. If a tree has been regularly coppiced or pollarded in the past this practice should continue in orde to maintain the integrity of the bole or stool of the tree. Planting of new specimen trees to become veteran and ancient trees of the future and veteranisation (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.
- Mapped