Ancient Tree Forum

17 Nov and 24 Nov 2005 Thames and Chilterns Parklands		The workshops will be held at two different sites from 10am – 4pm and lunch will be provided: Wytham Park and Woods, near Oxford, Thursday 17 November Basildon Park, near Reading, Thursday 24 November Both workshops will give feedback on the results of the survey. There will also be information about the new Environmental Stewardship Scheme and how it can financially support parkland management, restoration and creation. In the afternoon we will go out and visit the surrounding parkland and woods to look at some of the key features and discuss management issues in detail. At Wytham Park, Ted Green, a leading light in the world of ancient trees, will be the keynote speaker. He will outline the importance of our historic parkland in a European context and expand on the incredible social, archaeological and biological insights we are gaining from them. Using his extensive experience of these cultural landscapes in the UK he will illustrate how potential threats can all too easily affect them and how best to address them. Neville Fay, one of the leading arboricultural consultants specialising in the field of ancient tree management will be the main speaker at Basildon Park. He will present the findings of the Thames and Chilterns survey in relation to ancient tree population studies he has carried out in other parts of the country. These indicate that we need to take action now if future generations are to be as lucky as we are and have such interesting and beautiful parklands to enjoy. Neville will also provide guidance on the management of individual veteran trees and how to assess the real rather than just perceived risks they pose to people and property.

Thames and Chilterns Parklands