Thousands of ancient trees at risk says charity

Described as the natural equivalent of listed buildings, ancient trees have stood for hundreds of years, watching over historic events and playing a role in folklore and culture.

But the majority of the 115,000 ancient, veteran or notable trees registered on the Woodland Trust’s Ancient Tree Hunt website could be facing the threat of diseases and pests, a loss that would be “devastating”, the conservation charity said.

Some, such as the 11-metre girthed Big Belly Oak in Savernake Forest, Wiltshire, which is thought to have stood since the time of William the Conqueror, have acted as significant landmarks for local people for centuries.

Ancient trees also provide an important habitat for a host of different species, from bats to bugs and fungi.

Austin Brady, head of conservation at the trust, said: “Losing some trees to diseases and pests is all part of life and death in the forest, but to lose our precious ancient trees would be terrible.

“These huge stalwarts have taken centuries to grow and their loss would just be devastating, not only for the landscape, but for the environment.”

In total, almost 84,000 ancient trees are at risk, including 7,000 ash trees threatened by Chalara ash dieback.

But it is not just ash trees which are under threat from disease, with ancient oaks at risk of acute oak decline and oak processionary moths, and Scots pine threatened by needle blight.

Juniper, oak, beech and sweet chestnut are all affected by Phytopthora fungi while invasive non-native pests are also a threat, including the Asian longhorn beetle, which attacks most broadleaved tree species.

The Woodland Trust is also raising concerns about the fate of ancient trees along the planned HS2 high-speed rail line. The charity said 35 ancient trees would be hit by the proposed route, with eight likely to be completely destroyed.