Ancient trees to be surveyed

Wednesday, July 22 2009 15:50:05 by Editor

Tens of thousands of ancient trees in Britain are to be surveyed by the National Trust in an effort to preserve their future.

During the three-year project scores of volunteers will be enlisted to find and document the plight of these rare trees.

The survey is being commissioned due to fears that a number of the oldest trees in Europe could die, endangering rare habitats.

Ray Hawes, the National Trust's head of forestry, said: "Ancient trees can be thought of as the cathedrals of the natural world.

"This new survey will provide us with the opportunity to understand more about these special trees in our care and map their exact location."

A tree is defined as ancient when it has survived for a significantly longer period of time than others of its species.

Britain is thought to have up to seventy per cent of the oldest trees living in Europe.