Survey to preserve historic trees - 23/07/09

Trees that have overlooked great moments, from the signing of the Magna Carta to the discovery of gravity, are among more than 40,000 being surveyed in a bid to protect them.

The National Trust will record the locations and condition of what it called the "cathedrals of the natural world" in the three-year study to assess the threats they face.

It wants to make sure that old trees are thriving to succeed the current crop so future generations can experience the "wow factor".

Among the historic trees found on National Trust land are the 2,000-year-old yew in Runnymede, Berkshire, where King John set his seal agreeing to the Magna Carta; Newton's apple tree at Woolsthorpe, Lincolnshire; and the sycamore in Dorset where the Tolpuddle Martyrs met in the 1830s.

The National Trust`s new ancient tree advisor, Brian Muelaner, says the trees are a link with the dense woods and open parkland of the primeval European "wild wood". He adds that the UK hosts about 60% or 70% of all the ancient trees recorded in northern Europe because they escaped damage in war and were historically used as "major living sculptures" in parkland.

Survey to preserve historic trees - 23/07/09

Related Articles

Related Links