like these have a glamour to them; it’s hard not to be intrigued by the historical events that may have played out beneath their branches. But their value goes far deeper than that. Ancient trees play a vital role
in the landscape. Their vast root systems draw up water and stabilise
‘Ancient trees are a bit like coral
reefs,’ explains Chris Bisson, Eden’s Policy Development Manager. ‘They support complex ecosystems, from microorganisms through to birds and bats. Their roots are home to mycorrhiza – fungi – which help to feed and protect the tree, and the
‘Ancient trees are a bit like coral reefs. They support complex ecosystems, from microorganisms through to birds and bats.’
soil structure helping to prevent flooding and landslips. They’re also living networks that have evolved over hundreds, sometimes thousands of years. However, they are often lost because people don’t appreciate this and they are often regarded as being potentially dangerous or just unattractive.
bark hosts lichen and mosses. Rotting wood is also great for other fungi and moulds. Then you’ve got invertebrates that feed on the rotting wood, ants, wasps and loads of different beetles. The Ancient Tree Forum estimate that in the UK alone there are over 2,000 different invertebrate species that require decaying wood.’
Where there are beetles there will be
forest-dwelling birds to eat them – some of which will live in the tree’s natural hollows – while rabbits, hedgehogs and grass snakes can all find uses for cavities beneath the tree itself. Having partnered with Archangel
in Oregon to foster 52 cloned redwoods from the increasingly denuded west coast of America, Eden is now working on a similar project with a range of partners in the UK, including the Ancient Tree Forum and Cornwall College. ‘The plan is to create “genetic safe houses” across the UK for a selection of the most ancient and threatened of our ancient trees using innovative horticulture,’ says Chris. ‘There’s no way to replicate the ecosystems the trees support because that’s built up over hundreds of years, but the project will provide a living laboratory for the study of these phenomenal trees.’
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