Volunteers needed to record Scotland's ancient trees

[Toddy]

Living legends: Volunteers sought to record Scotland's ancient trees

Webinars, regional events and training are offered by the Woodland Trust for successful applicants.

news.stv.tv

Could be an interesting ramble around the country

 

[Pattree]

I saw this but time and distance put it out of reach.

It’s right up my street and about a pace that I might manage.
Presumably the training includes the border line between “Old” and “Ancient”, something that I confuse on a daily basis.

 

[Toddy]

I think it's part of a UK wide scheme though; might be worth having a nosey around and seeing if it's happening in England, Wales and Northern Ireland too.

M

 

[Stew]

I’ve done occasional ancient tree recording in the uk years ago. It’s a nice thing to do.

 

[Broch]

I think it's part of a UK wide scheme though; might be worth having a nosey around and seeing if it's happening in England, Wales and Northern Ireland too.

M

Sadly not. Although the ancient tree inventory includes Scotland, England and Wales, this particular activity (including the training etc.) is only available from The Woodland Trust Scotland. WTS is actually a separate charity from England and Wales (though the same company!) and so, sometimes, has different schemes and projects running.

 

[Toddy]

I have to admit that I didn't think so much about the training as I did about the recording.

Perhaps if there were sufficient interest then the English and Wales part of the organisation might be inclined to set up a similar training ?

In the meantime though there is an online 'how to record' on the Woodland Trust website for folks thinking about helping add to the lists.

How to record ancient trees - Ancient Tree Inventory

Learn the basics of recording trees, and find out which species you are likely to find.

ati.woodlandtrust.org.uk

 

[Broch]

The conservation organisation that I currently chair funded one of our members (an ecologist) to go on an ancient and veteran tree management course last year. It means we now have a good source of advice for our members. A tree doesn't have to actually be ancient to be of huge value to biodiversity - as long as it shows the right characteristics (holes, fissures, dead limbs etc.) it can be just as valuable to wildlife.

Having said that, for me, an ancient tree is just the most awesome living thing to be in the presence of