| Forestry
Veteran tree workshop plants new ideas
Landowners, rural agents and land managers gathered in Corby last month to attend a veteran tree management
workshop which aimed to improve understanding of the issues and opportunities that these trees present.
rganised by
environmental
planning and
forestry
consultants
Lockhart Garratt,
the veteran tree workshop covered
a range of issues, including how
landowners could identify veteran
trees and manage them correctly,
as well as discussing protection
and funding opportunities.
A veteran tree is defined as a
tree that is of interest biologically,
culturally or aesthetically because
of its age, size or condition. The
UK has more veteran trees than
most other countries in northern
Europe. They are considered an
important part of our landscape as
well as useful indicators of past
land management and use.
The event included three
workshop sessions and a
presentation by two arboriculture
experts from Lockhart Garratt,
Stephen Westmore and Shaun
Phillips explaining the veteran
tree’s value to the environment
and the management options
available to landowners.
“Veteran trees are arguably one
of the UK’s most valuable natural
O
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assets, offering a range of
environmental, social and cultural
benefits,” explains Stephen
Westmore, Arboriculture
Consultant at Lockhart Garratt.
“However, the management of
these stalwarts of the landscape is
not always straightforward,
especially when there is a conflict
between the requirements of
efficient land management and the
need to provide a public benefit
through positive management of
natural assets.”
Delegates came from a variety
of backgrounds and feedback was
very positive. One attendee
commented “From knowing little
about trees, I have learnt a great
deal.”
The session concluded with five
take home messages:
• Not all veteran trees are
ancient, however all ancient trees
are veterans
• Veteran trees are exceptionally
important for biodiversity, heritage
and culture
• Long-term planning should be
considered for any management
options
• Protection measures should be
considered before works are
undertaken
• Seek advice from relevant
professionals
“We are confident that everyone
found it a productive and
informative day,” comments John
Lockhart, Chairman. “This
workshop is just one of a series of
events that we have run
throughout 2017 and on into 2018
to support those working in all
areas of land management,
forestry and the environment.”
Lockhart Garratt was
established in 1998 and has
become one of England's leading
independent forestry and
environmental planning
consultancies. The company
employs 35 staff, providing
arboriculture and other ecological
consultancy services from their
Oxfordshire a nd Northamptonshire
offices.
January 2018 | Farming Monthly | 27