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Ancient Trees
The Scottish Borders is a rich and diverse landscape of great historic interest and beauty, from its high windswept hills in the west to the lush lowland pastures and majestic parklands of the east and its stunning coastal cliffs and dramatic beaches. It is a landscape that bears the marks of centuries of human intervention. Whether you dwell in this landscape or are just visiting, there is much to see and learn, not least from its trees. Nestling within this landscape are trees of great heritage value – cultural, environmental, commercial.
Some are very old with knotted, gnarled trunks and twisted, hollowed torsos that capture theimagination; ancient specimens slipping into the final years of their life-cycles. Other mature trees, in the primes of their lives, possess a majestic beauty while others still are notable among their species (“the tallest”, “the last surviving”), never failing to impress.
Heritage Trees
Heritage Trees are important features of the landscape. They are likely to be ancient or veteran in status or of historic, cultural or biological significance.
An Ancient Tree is defined as very old for its species. Often of significantly wide girth, with a hollow trunk and straggling branches, it may also be squat in stature. It sheds much of its upper crown during this phase of its life cycle, releasing the valuable nutrients that are locked up in the wood. It may continue for a few more centuries in this state as a healthy tree. The hollowing out is a survival strategy that ensures a stronger, more robust structure, one less likely to be blown down in the wind. Dead branches in the crown may give a stag-headed appearance.
A Veteran Tree is mature and may have an impressive girth. There may be holes in the trunk and branches and some hollowing of the tree trunk may be evident. Providing an important habitat for wildlife, it supports many species. Cavities will develop where limbs have broken off and fungi and lichen may grow on the tree.
A Notable Tree may be an important specimen locally or regionally bearing cultural or historic significance for a community. It may become a Veteran of the future.
A Champion Tree is a record-breaking tree, such as the tallest of its species or particular region. Champion species can be found on the Tree Register of the British Isles.
Culture
Heritage trees often hold historic and cultural value – commemorating people, marking sites of historic significance, forming the focus for stories and myths, or representing special places where people gather to make memories.
Environment
Heritage trees provide vital nourishment and homes for myriad plants and wildlife, encouraging biodiversity for a healthy planet. Lichens, in turn, provide food or building materials for wildlife and have been used by humans for dyes, drug-use and even the packing of mummies. Tree fungus growing on oak. Fungi provide food for many kinds of animals and insects often working symbiotically with other organisms to produce lichens.
The Ancient Tree Hunt
For more information about heritage trees of the Borders and other remarkable trees and woodland projects, visit the Ancient Tree Hunt website www.ancienttreehunt.org.uk
If you find a tree that is not on the Ancient Tree Hunt map and you think it is worthy of being there, you can enter the details directly onto the website database. You will need to note the tree species, its girth and location (in an 8-figure grid reference if possible) and record any other interesting information you’ve gathered about the tree. You can upload photographs of the tree as well if you wish.
How to spot an Ancient Tree
A tree is most likely to be Ancient if is has the some or all of the characteristics listed below.
- Large girth and hollow trunk
- Decay and holes
- Large quantities of dead wood in the canopy
- Short and squat appearance
- Presence of Fungi, Epiphytic plants
- High aesthetic interest, also known as the ‘wow factor’
The Heritage Tree Project is a partnership project with Borders Forest Trust, The Woodland Trust Scotland, The Forestry Commission Scotland and Treefest Partnership to facilitate the mapping of all the best of the Scottish Borders trees as part of the Woodland Trust’s Ancient Tree Hunt Project.
