Ancient Tree Hunt Day at Druim Nan Crann Saighde
Druim nan Crann Saighde Woodlands, on the South shore of Loch Rannoch includes remnants of the ancient forest that once covered much of Scotland and is home to a treasure trove of ancient trees.
On Sunday 1st November, this Forestry Commission Scotland site will be the venue for environmental treasure hunters to help Woodland Trust Scotland find and map the UKs ancient trees.
The Trust’s five year Ancient Tree Hunt project is a chance to discover the magic of ancient trees whilst helping the Trust develop a comprehensive picture of where these living monuments are situated.
The area south of Loch Rannoch, including the famous Black Wood of Rannoch, is home to an impressive number of ancient trees which have seen several centuries come and go. Identifying their whereabouts is an important first step in securing their future for the benefit of wildlife and for the enjoyment of generations to come.
Ancient trees are home to thousands of species of plants and animals, including many rare and threatened species that aren’t found anywhere else. As they get older, the trees develop holes, nooks and crannies and dead and rotting wood, perfect homes for lots of insects. Groups of ancient trees growing together are the most important of all as the variety of habitats they provide creates an amazing community of wildlife.
The Ancient Tree Hunt is led by the Woodland Trust in partnership with the Ancient Tree Forum and the Tree register of the British Isles. Partners across the UK include the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation and the Scottish Natural Heritage and Forestry Commission Scotland.
The day starts at 11.00am with a short introductory chat about ancient trees and how to identify and map the trees.
Participants are advised to wear outdoor clothing and sturdy footwear and if possible bring a digital camera, measuring tape and GPS unit. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
For more information call 01738 635829 or email Scotland@woodlandtrust.org.uk
Notes to Editors
1) Forestry Commission Scotland’s Druim nan Crann Saighde woodland is currently subject to an outline planning application by a neighbouring landowner. The application – proposing a golf course, housing and leisure complex – has been submitted to Perth & Kinross Council without the applicant obtaining Forestry Commission Scotland agreement. The statutory agencies, including FCS and SNH, have responded to the outline planning application highlighting the importance of the woodland habitat potentially affected by the proposed development and the need to avoid damage through inappropriate development to that habitat.
The proposed development, if approved, is the largest single case of threatened ancient woodland that the Woodland Trust Scotland has ever encountered.
2) The Woodland Trust: The Woodland Trust is the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity. It has 300,000 members and supporters. The Trust has four key aims: i) No further loss of ancient woodland; ii) Restoring and improving the biodiversity of woods; iii) Increasing new native woodland; iv) Increasing people’s understanding and enjoyment of woodland.
Established in 1972, the Woodland Trust now has over 1,000 sites in its care covering approximately 20,000 hectares (50,000 acres).
In 1984, the Trust acquired its first wood in Scotland. Today the Trust owns 80 sites across Scotland covering 8,100 hectares. Further news can be accessed via www.woodlandtrust.org.uk
3) The Ancient Tree Hunt
The Ancient Tree Hunt’s five year plan is to find and record 100,000 ancient, veteran and notable trees in the UK. The Ancient Tree Hunt has already gathered almost 35,000 records; over 2,600 of which are in Northern Ireland. (The project was launched to the public in June 2007)
There are estimated to be more ancient trees in the UK than anywhere else in Northern Europe, yet there’s no official record of where they are, how many there are and, unlike most historic buildings, few have any protection.
You can use a tape measure or use the hug method to calculate the girth of a tree. An oak will be of interest to the Ancient Tree Hunt database if it takes at least three people to give it a hug; a beech is of interest at just two hugs; and a sweet chestnut four hugs. You don’t need to be a tree expert to take part, as each submission is checked by volunteer verifiers.
The Woodland Trust plants thousands of new trees each year, which it hopes will become the successors to today’s ancient trees – the ancients of the future.
For media enquiries contact: Jacqui Morris on 01355 578777 or mobile 07979 706675 or alternatively The Woodland Trust Press Office on 01476 581121, e-mail media@woodlandtrust.org.uk