Veteran Trees
English Nature have defined veteran trees as: "trees that are of interest biologically, culturally or aesthetically because of their age, size or condition". In relation to oak it has been taken that trees with a diameter of more than:
- 1.0m are potentially interesting
- 1.5m are valuable in terms of conservation
- 2.00m are truly ancient.
To successfully manage veteran trees, information on the trees, site, historical background and their conservation value is important. This information assists the development of a management plan capable of helping the manager of the site and explaining to others what is being done, and why.
Two oak trees indicated to be the same age, click picture for details
The only precise way to determine the age of a living tree is to cross-date tree rings in increment cores that intersect the pith of the tree. Timbers are sampled using a 3-thread, 5.15mm core diameter Halglof increment borer to offers the same astonishing impact of absolute tree-ring dates as has been achieved with the dating of historic timber-framed buildings in this country. Two cores are taken from opposite sides of each tree up to 2m in girth. While the girth of our very largest trees (and hence the trees of greatest interest) may make it impossible to reach their piths with hand-driven increment borers, increment sampling still offers the most accurate empiric refinement to the estimation of a tree's age.
Sampling offers accuracy in dating individual trees and the potential to help clarify the great deal of uncertainty which remains in assessing the age of large individual trees. Also, their dendrochronological analysis offers the potential to investigate a number of other important aspects. For the cost of dating trees by tree-ring analysis click: costs.
Further information
It has been estimated that Britain may be home to around 80% of Europe's ancient trees. They harbour a unique array of wildlife and echo the lives of past generations of people in ways that no other part of our natural world is able. (Ancient Tree Forum).
The Woodland Trust is the UK's leading conservation charity dedicated to the protection of our native woodland heritage.
English Nature , 2000 Veteran trees: A guide to good managment.
Updated: 28/12/2006