Issues affecting veteran trees
The main threats are:
- Felling
- often veteran trees are assumed to be dangerous or simply dead.
- Changes in land use
- such as infrastructure development and some agricultural practices, which can lead to the compaction or damage of the root system.
- Competition from surrounding trees
- A sudden release from competing trees can shock trees and lead to substantial damage.
- Gradual thinning around a veteran tree will provide a safe way to help competition.
- Under-management
- in the past, all ancient trees would have been managed, providing our ancestors with firewood for their homes, fodder and shelter for livestock and timber for buildings and ships.
- Left unmanaged, branches may become too heavy for the trunk, putting them at risk in high winds.
- Although, some management may not involve physical tree work and the trees might just need to be checked on a regular basis.
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Sweet Chestnut at
Canford School |
