40 YEARBOOK 2023 from oak timber from Great Stake Pit Coppice near Norwood. Experts can read human history in the form and shape of trees. Think of pollarded trees which have been cut repeatedly at the top of the trunk, over centuries in some cases, to form their distinctive shapes (see photo 3). But to most people trees are an artefact of nature and, perhaps, easy to overlook given their relative ubiquity in our lives. This valuing of built heritage over natural heritage reflects long standing frameworks for valuing, and exploiting, the natural world. Climate change and the shadow of a rapidly warming world provides urgent context for redressing this imbalance. The UK is a relatively treedepleted country. We have 13 per cent forest cover compared to a European average of 38 per cent. The UK is a densely populated and deforested country that is in a long-term trend of reforesting, but current efforts need accelerating. Trees can help to create more resilient environment in rural and urban areas. On farms they can help to reduce soil erosion, control pollution and provide shade for livestock. In cities they can provide cooling and shade and help to reduce air pollution. We urgently need to increase the number of trees we have. But alongside planting trees it is as important to effectively protect the trees we already have. It is in the mid to late stages of life that a tree typically stores the most carbon. Studies by Forest Research on the carbon storge levels in large urban trees demonstrated that the amount of carbon stored was low in the young and semi-mature trees, and highest in the overmature and veteran trees. Carbon storage is proportional to tree volume so it should increase as trees gain in girth and height with increasing age. How can we reduce life-shortening threats to trees and ensure our old trees live to the end of their natural life? The Woodland Trust has developed guidance with the Ancient Tree Forum based on three guiding principles: 1 Give ancient and veteran trees as much space as possible, both above and below the ground by allowing the tree crown adequate spreading room and protecting the ground surrounding a tree to prevent root and soil damage. 2 Retain dead trees and decaying wood 3 Identify veteran trees of the future and establish any new trees well away from existing veteran or ancient trees to avoid creating competition for light, water or nutrients The conservation and protection of old trees can have multiple benefits for preserving heritage and the historic character of places. Looking after our trees, and finding the space to plant more, can be part of the active conservation of these places helping to make them more resilient. In so many places trees have become part of our history. We now need them to help create our future too. Adam Cormack is head of campaigning at The Woodland Trust. For more information on the Woodland Trust’s Living Legends campaign go to www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/livinglegends.
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