Ancient Tree Forum


August 2010 The current status of ancient pollard beech trees at Burnham Beeches and evaluation of recent restoration techniques by Helen J. Read C.P. Wheater V. Forbes and J. Young		Summary: Recent studies on ancient beech pollards at Burnham Beeches have included assessments of their current condition and evaluation of the responses of the trees to restoration pollarding, both in terms of new growth after cutting and the health of the branches. The trees show positive responses to cuts and the death rate of the trees has been slowed. The length of stub left at time of cutting is positively correlated with the number of branches arising from it; a longer stub also increases the chance that a cluster of new shoots will arise. Trees that had been cut in the 1950s have produced more new shoots than those not cut for approximately 200 years. Other impacts on tree growth after recent restoration cutting are discussed. Study the full Paper pdf (178KB)

July 2010 New Book Biodiversity in the New Forest Edited by Adrian C Newton Centre of Education Ecology and Environmental Change School of Conservation Sciences Bournemouth University Poole Dorse Available from: Pisces Publications, 36 Kingfisher Court, Hambridge Road, Newbury RG14 5SJ		The New Forest is one of the most important areas for wildlife in the UK, being home to large numbers of flowering plants, bryophytes, lichens, fungi, bats, birds, mammals, reptiles and invertebrates. These species are associated with extensive areas of semi-natural habitats, which occur in a complex mosaic that is now rarely encountered in western Europe. The unique character of the New Forest is largely attributable to its long history of grazing by large herbivores, reflecting its origins as a medieval hunting forest and the survival of a traditional commoning system. The importance of the New Forest, to both wildlife and people, is reflected in its recent designation as a National Park. This book provides an overview of biodiversity in the New Forest, by summarising what is currently known about its characteristic species and the habitats with which they are associated. Information is presented on current trends in the status and distribution different groups of organisms, focusing on those of particular conservation importance. Information is also provided on the condition of different habitats, with the aim of informing future management decisions and identifying particular issues of concern. This book provides a unique compilation of existing knowledge about the New Forest, provided by a range of specialists with a deep understanding of the area. This information is provided to help ensure that the special character of the New Forest, and its exceptional value for wildlife, is maintained in the future. eflyer/order form pdf (94KB) contents/Chap 5 pdf (1MB)

July 2010 Woodland Trust Campaigns Blog TPOs - Let's not miss an opportunity! Scottish Government's proposed changes to Tree Preservation Orders		In partnership with the Ancient Tree Forum, we recently commented on the Scottish Government�s proposed changes to Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) The changes are aimed at improving tree protection and if it helps ancient, veteran, champion and notable trees, then we are keen to support them. A better system could reduce the number of important trees that continue to be lost across Scotland such as those recorded through the Ancient Tree Hunt. Follow the blog

July 2010 The Great Trees of London new book Published 03/06/2010 Publisher Time Out Group Ltd ISBN 9781846701542	"	"The Great Trees of London" brings together over 60 trees around the capital that have achieved 'Great Tree' status - as determined by the popular tree-planting charity Trees for Cities. As you might expect, there are plenty of London planes, horse chestnuts and oaks - the everyday trees that everyone is familiar with - but also some rarer species. The Greenwich Park Shagback Hickory, for instance, probably the largest such tree in the country, and the Marble Hill Black Walnut, with its unusual pitch-black bark. There are magnificent, towering specimens, such as the Forty Hall Cedar of Lebanon and the Berkeley Square Plane, as well as humbler trees that, on first glance, might not deserve the accolade of Great. But they are special for other reasons: the Marylebone Elm is one such: it survived bombing in World War II (which destroyed the adjacent church) as well as Dutch Elm Disease in the 1970s, which wiped out three-quarters of Britain's elms. Some incredibly venerable trees appear too, such as the Charlton House Mulberry, planted at the request of James I at the turn of the 17th century, and the Richmond Royal Oak, estimated to be 750 years old. Packed with glorious colour photography taken in various seasons, this book also contains a glossary of botanical terms; facts, figures and folklore about key species. And where else in the capital you'll find usual or interesting trees.

July 2010 Special Trees and Woods Project Latest Newsletter		The latest newsletter from the Special Trees and Woods Project is now available to download from the News page of the Project�s website � www.chilternsaonb.org/special/news I hope you enjoy reading these newsletters and that you will forward this email on to anyone who shares a love of trees and woods. If for any reason you no longer wish to receive the newsletter, please let me know. Rachel Sanderson Special Trees and Woods Project rsanderson@chilternsaonb.org Tel: 01844 355525

June 2010 How fruit trees in Indian village save girls' lives by Amarnath Tewary Bhagalpur, Bihar BBC News Channel		In India, where traditionally boys have been preferred over girls, a village in backward Bihar state has been setting an example by planting trees to celebrate the birth of a girl child. In Dharhara village, Bhagalpur district, families plant a minimum of 10 trees whenever a girl child is born. And this practice is paying off. Nikah Kumari, 19, is all set to get married in early June. The would-be groom is a state school teacher chosen by her father, Subhas Singh. Mr Singh is a small-scale farmer with a meagre income, but he is not worried about the high expenses needed for the marriage ceremony. For, in keeping with the village tradition, he had planted 10 mango trees the day Nikah was born. The girl - and the trees - were nurtured over the years and today both are grown up. "Today that day has come for which we had planted the trees. We've sold off the fruits of the trees for three years in advance and got the money to pay for my daughter's wedding," Mr Singh told the BBC. more.....

June 2010 United Nations General Assembly declares 2011 as International Year of Forests Department of Public Information News and Media Division New York		To bolster efforts that will promote sustainable management, conservation and development of forests worldwide, the General Assembly adopted a resolution declaring the year 2011 as the International Year of Forests. Forests are an integral part of global sustainable development: forest-related economic activities affect livelihoods of 1.6 billion people worldwide; they provide socio-cultural benefits and are the foundation for indigenous knowledge; and as ecosystems, forests play a critical role in mitigating the effects of climate change and protecting biodiversity. The International Year of Forests will raise awareness and promote global action to sustainably manage, conserve and develop all types of forests, including trees outside of forests. �This is an open invitation to the world community�, says Pekka Patosaari, Director of the United Nations Forum on Forests Secretariat, �to come together and work with Governments, international organizations and civil society, to ensure that our forests are managed sustainably for current and future generations�. read full declaration

June 2010 It�s a record breaker! Largest cherry tree in the country found in Cumbria		Standing quietly in a field in rural Cumbria stands possibly the largest wild cherry tree in the whole country. Jpeg (102KB) Measuring a massive 5.3m (18ft) around its trunk and located on the edge of the village of Maulds Meaburn, the tree weighs in at the size of mature oak and has been festooned in cascades of brilliant white blossom for the last week. Until 2008 Yorkshire boasted the UK�s largest wild cherry at 5.7 m (18.8ft), but a freak storm snapped the tree�s crown. Neil Cruikshank, who lives in a house overlooking the Cumbrian tree, said: �Unusually for a wild cherry, it produces the most deliciously flavoured cherries. In fact in July the tree bends to the great weight of fruit on the branches and we can usually gather enough to make 8 pounds of cherry jam without even having to use a ladder. It is a beautiful tree in every season with its white blossom in spring and deep red foliage in the autumn.� Edward Parker, Ancient Tree Hunt project manager at the Woodland Trust, said: �This cherry must be one of the most beautiful and magnificent trees in the whole of the UK, yet cherry is not necessarily the first species people think of when looking for an ancient tree. It might not have the hulking grandeur of a thousand year old oak or the great age of one of our fantastic yew trees (which can live to over 4000 years old), but with its beautifully fluted trunk and huge canopy of striking white blossom in spring this tree makes a truly spectacular sight.� The Ancient Tree Hunt is run by the Woodland Trust in partnership with over 70 organisations. Its aim is to record at least 100,000 ancient, veteran and notable trees by the end of 2011, and to date over 63,000 trees have been registered. The database held at www.AncientTreeHunt.org.uk is the first living record of the UK�s old trees ever attempted. Anyone can record an interesting tree by visiting the website and following the simple instructions.

May 2010 Managing risks from trees National Tree Safety Group		The Ancient Tree Forum, who are members of the National Tree Safety Group, welcome this new position statement. The NTSG position is that fundamentally the management of risk should be an evaluation of what is reasonable based on a balance between benefit and risk. Read the full statement pdf (68KB)

April 2010 No 4 ANCIENT TRE(E-News) The newsletter of The Ancient Tree Forum		Read the latest issue of the E-newsletter of the Ancient Tree Forum (an acrobat 2 MB PDF file). This is intended as an occasional publication disseminating information, as a Forum should. It is being sent initially to those who have registered their email address on our website. Please forward to anyone you think might be interested. Very much more information is to be found on our website at www.ancient-tree-forum.org.uk where you can also subscribe and receive this automatically.

March 2010 Jurupa Hills oak may be California's oldest plant 13,000 year-old Quercus palmeri discovered International Oak Society News		Researchers from UC Davis and UC Riverside say the 75-foot-wide Palmer's oak shrub has lived about 13,000 years despite inhospitable surroundings, regenerating itself with new shoots. Nestled between two boulders on a low rise in the Jurupa Hills of Riverside County, a good 30 miles from its nearest living relative, lies the ultimate survivor -- an oak bush that researchers believe is 13,000 years old. Read full article

April 2010 Helping to protect Toronto's heritage trees Ontario Urban Forest Counc		Helping to protect Toronto's heritage trees. This giant red oak is located in the Sheppard Avenue and Weston Road area - photo courtesy Edith george. If trees could talk, many of them would tell us stories of the rich history they have observed in their lifetimes. This is why the Ontario Urban Forest Council (OUFC) works to raise public awareness and convince government to provide legislation to protect trees that are as historically significant as our heritage buildings, said Jack Radecki, executive director of OUFC. Further reading

March 2010 East Midlands Airport to be powered by willow trees BBC News		East Midlands Airport is thought to have become the first in the UK to plant its own willow farm to produce fuel to power the terminal building. The 26-hectare farm will be planted and harvested in phases over the next three years to ensure a continual crop of willow to power a bio-mass boiler. It is part of the airport's plan to become carbon neutral by 2012. Airport official Neil Robinson said: "This is a landmark day for the airport." The farm is expected to produce about 280 tonnes of wood fuel annually, saving 350 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. The airport is also piloting the use of buses powered by liquid bio-methane fuel for passengers.

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