Ancient Oaks
Ancient oak trees...
One hears many people say 'if only an ancient oak could tell its story'. That ancient tree may have sat there for four, five, six, eight hundred years and 'seen' many events and changes. If only... These trees are so special- they have endured much change, but still put out new leaves and produce acorns each year. They need better protection so that they can be appreciated and revered for many years to come. A building can be protected even if it is a fraction of the age of an ancient oak. An inconsiderate contractor who damages a building will be liable, but never if they damage an ancient tree. Have you ever seen an old oak in a field with the top mostly dead? This is due to mechanised farming and deep ploughing severing the roots every year. Before these large machines were used, the roots would adapt and grow beneath the plough.
All too often one drives past old oaks near roads, on the edge of forestry compartments, bearing the dreaded X of doom. Instead of managing the trees through reductions, felling is the preferred option. Too many of our old oaks are being condemned unnecessarily. Consultation with arborists could help save some of our old trees...
What makes a tree ancient?
An ancient woodland is classed as such if it existed before reliable maps, circa 350yrs. I think an ancient oak must have certain characteristics- decay pockets, water pools, various fungi, invertabrates, mammals, birds, mosses, lichens, small trees growing from nooks and cranies, hollowing, odd protusions, storm damage, large failures, regrowth, and so on. It will probably have a short, fat trunk with a canopy resembling a much younger tree.
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