The Ancient Tree Forum (ATF) is a leading independent organization dedicated to the conservation of ancient and veteran trees across the UK. Founded in 1993, it brings together expertise from across the arboricultural, ecological, historical, and land management sectors to champion the importance of these irreplaceable natural assets. They are recognized worldwide as a key authority on the scientific, cultural, and environmental significance of ancient trees.
Mission and Ethos: Advocating for the Oldest, Rarest, and Most Valuable Trees
The Ancient Tree Forum's core mission is to secure the long-term future of ancient and veteran trees. Their ethos is built on:
- Recognition of Value: Highlighting the immense ecological, historical, cultural, and aesthetic value of ancient trees, often referring to them as "living monuments."
- Knowledge Sharing and Education: Disseminating best practices in ancient tree management and inspiring others to protect them.
- Influencing Policy: Working to ensure that conservation and planning policies adequately protect ancient trees and their associated habitats.
- Collaborative Action: Fostering partnerships between landowners, conservationists, government bodies, and the public.
- Long-Term Vision: Emphasizing that protecting these trees is a multi-generational commitment, requiring foresight and consistent effort.
They are passionate about the often-overlooked fact that ancient and veteran trees are not just old; they are unique ecological features, providing incredibly rich and stable habitats for a vast array of rare and specialist species, including fungi, insects, lichens, and birds.
What Defines an "Ancient" or "Veteran" Tree?
The ATF distinguishes between these terms:
- Ancient Tree: A tree that is old for its species. This means a relatively small birch might be ancient at 150 years, while an oak might need to be 400-500 years old to be considered ancient. It's about relative age and biological maturity, not just absolute age.
- Veteran Tree: A tree that shows features of an ancient tree (e.g., hollowing, decay, deadwood habitats) but may not necessarily be old for its species. It could be "veteranized" by environmental stress or management practices. Both types are of immense conservation value.
These trees are characterized by features such as hollowing trunks, decaying wood, dead branches, and extensive root systems. These features, often seen as signs of decline, are in fact indicators of a thriving micro-ecosystem supporting complex biodiversity.
Key Activities and Impact:
The ATF employs a multi-pronged approach to achieve its conservation goals:
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Expert Advice and Guidance:
- They provide authoritative advice on the care and management of ancient and veteran trees, influencing landowners, local authorities, tree surgeons, and planners.
- They offer best practice guidelines for everything from managing veteran tree sites to specific techniques like "haloing" (removing competing vegetation around a veteran tree) and managing hollowing trunks.
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Influencing Policy and Planning:
- The ATF actively lobbies government bodies and local authorities to strengthen legal protection for ancient and veteran trees.
- They advocate for stronger planning policies that require thorough surveys for ancient trees and robust mitigation strategies if development is proposed nearby.
- A significant achievement was their instrumental role in developing the Ancient Woodland and Ancient Tree guidance within the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) in England, which now provides greater protection for these habitats.
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Research and Knowledge Dissemination:
- They compile and share research on the ecology of ancient trees, their associated species, and effective conservation techniques.
- Their website is a rich resource for information, case studies, and scientific papers.
- They organize conferences, seminars, and workshops to share expertise and foster a community of practice.
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Campaigning and Advocacy:
- They actively campaign against threats to ancient trees, whether from inappropriate development, road schemes, or damaging management practices.
- They raise public awareness through media engagement, social media, and educational materials, encouraging people to appreciate and report threats to ancient trees.
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Partnerships and Collaboration:
- The ATF collaborates closely with a wide range of organizations, including the Woodland Trust, National Trust, Natural England, forestry commissions, and local authorities.
- This collaborative approach ensures that their expertise reaches those who can implement change on the ground.
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"Ancient Tree Inventory" (ATI):
- While managed by the Woodland Trust, the ATI was heavily influenced and supported by the ATF. This public database maps and records ancient and veteran trees across the UK, making them visible and protecting them. It's a crucial tool for both conservation and education.
The Ecological Significance of Ancient Trees: Biodiversity Hotspots
The ATF strongly emphasizes the unparalleled ecological value of ancient trees:
- Microhabitats: Their long lives and unique features (decaying wood, hollows, cracks, dead branches, fungi) create a vast array of specialized microhabitats that cannot be replicated by younger trees.
- Home to Rare Species: These habitats support an extraordinary diversity of rare and specialist invertebrates (e.g., saproxylic beetles), fungi, lichens, mosses, and nesting sites for birds and bats. Many of these species are entirely dependent on the specific conditions found only in ancient trees.
- Connectivity: They act as stepping stones or "habitat islands" in fragmented landscapes, aiding the movement and survival of species.
- Climate Resilience: Older trees are often more resilient to environmental changes and can continue to sequester carbon for centuries. Their deep root systems help with water management and soil stability.
- Carbon Stores: While growing slower, their sheer biomass means they are significant carbon sinks, storing vast amounts of carbon over their long lifespans.
A Call to Action: How You Can Help
The Ancient Tree Forum encourages everyone to get involved in protecting these living legacies:
- Report Ancient Trees: Use the Ancient Tree Inventory to record and report ancient or veteran trees in your local area. This helps to map these treasures and bring them to the attention of conservationists and planners.
- Learn More: Educate yourself about the value of ancient trees and how to identify them. The ATF website is an excellent resource.
- Support the ATF: As an independent charity, they rely on donations and membership to continue their vital work.
- Advocate Locally: Speak up for ancient trees in your community if they are threatened by development or inappropriate management.
- Practice Good Tree Care: If you have veteran trees on your property, seek expert advice on their care.
The Ancient Tree Forum plays an indispensable role in safeguarding a unique and irreplaceable part of the UK's natural heritage. By championing these ancient sentinels, they are not only protecting individual trees but also the intricate ecosystems they support and the profound connection they offer us to history and nature.
