What’s your favourite ancient tree?
Wealden has some of the largest areas of ancient woodland in the country, but there are also many ancient trees, with big fat trunks and gnarled branches, that stand out in the landscape. Do you have a favourite?
Wealden District Council, the Sussex Wildlife Trust and the Woodland Trust’s Ancient Tree Hunt are asking residents to find their favourite old tree, in order to help the District survey these wonderful specimens.
As part of Wealden’s Ancient Tree hunt, we need to know where the tree is, the species and if you are able to access the tree, its girth measurement. Most ancient oak trees would be at least 400cm in girth but other varieties may be less. You can measure girth with a tape, a long piece of string or by hugging it – and measuring the span of your arms later!
“All this information is important. There must be more than 500 ancient trees in the district - possibly up to 15 in every parish. We want to enrol the support of local people to provide information about them,” said Chris Hannington, Wealden’s Landscape and Biodiversity Officer. “Ancient trees are vast nature reserves. Not only can they be stunning to look at but their decaying wood can be home to hundreds of rare insects. The Wealden Ancient Tree hunt aims to record and preserve these examples of our rich heritage.”
“At the same time we will looking for Wealden’s favourite ancient tree as depicted in a photograph, picture, poem or other piece of art work. We will be mounting an exhibition of all the best artwork later in the year. Prizes will include family days out at Bedgebury Pinetum and Sheffield Park Gardens and some wonderful tree books.
“An ancient tree is one that makes you say wow!” explains Ali Wright, the Sussex Wildlife Trust’s Ancient Tree Project Officer.
“Ancient trees are full of holes and dead and rotting wood. As the years go by they provide the perfect homes for thousands of species of plants, animals and fungi, including many rare and threatened species, such as the violet click beetle.
“Many ancient trees are vulnerable or unappreciated - often suffering from neglect or lack of awareness of their great importance to our heritage and wildlife.”
As well as information about the tree’s species and size, the survey team would like a description of the tree and any related wildlife, such as whether it has fungi, bats living in it or a hollow trunk, and if possible an Ordnance Survey map reference. Special recording forms can be downloaded from Ancient Trees page on Wealden website, www.wealden.gov.uk . There is also a simple guide on how to identify the most common variety of trees found in Wealden.
Once logged, Wealden District Council and the Sussex Wildlife Trust hope to carry out a detailed survey of each tree, and the information about each one be posted on the Ancient Tree Hunt website, www.ancient-tree-hunt.org.uk .
“Ancient trees are one of the wonderful treasures of Wealden,” said Councillor Chantal Wilson, Chairman of the Council who will be one of the judges in the competition. “But we do not have the resources to be able to survey all the trees ourselves. That is why we are hoping interested members of the public can lend a hand. I am looking forward to seeing photos and pictures of people’s own favourite trees. However, you don’t have to enter our WAT art competition to take part in the ongoing tree survey.”
The closing date for entries to the competition is November 23, which allows tree hunters to consider trees with or without leaves. The competition is open to a wide range of ages from five years upwards. Prizes will be awarded in January 2008, and winning entries exhibited at Wealden District Council’s offices. Entries can either be:
- An original poem of not more than 20 lines,
- An original short story of 500 words,
- An original art photograph of no larger than A2 size,
- An original painting or drawing of no larger than A2 size,
- An original sculpture of no greater than 60cm in dimension.
Further details about the competition can be obtained from the Wealden District Council web site, www.wealden.gov.uk or Hazel Carter at Wealden District Council, telephone 01892 602451.
Please send your entries to: WAT Competition, Wealden District Council, Pine Grove, Crowborough TN6 1 DH, or email them tohazel.carter@wealden.gov.uk . All entered art work is non–returnable but can be collected from the Council offices by prior arrangement in the week following the announcement of winners.
So when you are driving round Wealden, or going out for walks, keep a look out for ancient trees…but do make sure you are on a public right of way or have the landowner’s permission if you are going to get close to them.
