Liphook Community Magazine Summer 2017

A C A L L F O R N O T E W O R T H Y T R E E S I N T H E P A R I S H
Woodland Trust
‘Ancient Tree Inventory’
We know that many of you are passionate about trees, shown by
the response following the demise of our ancient chestnut in the
Square. The Woodland Trust is also passionate about trees and is
compiling an Ancient Tree Inventory. So what is an ancient tree?
The following is taken from the Woodland Trust website:
An ancient tree is in its third or final stage of life, and ancient
trees of different species age in different ways. The oldest trees, such
as yews, oaks and sweet chestnuts have very long ancient stages
sometimes more than 1000 years long. Other types of trees e.g.
birch or willows live shorter lives and have short ancient phases.
A veteran tree is usually in its second or mature stage of its life.
Veteran trees get their name from signs of premature aging.
They may have started hollowing and have patches of decay,
broken branches or flaking bark that provide holes, cavities and
crevices in the trunk and large limbs which are especially
important for roosting and nesting bats and birds.
Notable trees are large trees without veteran features that are
locally important visually or may have a personal significance
to the individual recorder. This includes specimen trees or those
that are important as the next generation of veteran trees.
Sometimes groups of ancient trees, especially pollards (trees cut
at about 2m for wood, leaf and seed or fruit production) can be
found in historic wood pastures, ancient wooded commons and
historic hedgerows. Individual ancient trees in urban areas can
be found marooned in the midst of housing estates and urban
parks, on village greens, in churchyards and adjacent to old
historic buildings.
We are not expecting you to be experts in trees, but we want you
to tell us about trees you love in the parish. Not just ancient ones
but also trees that have special interest. Typical native species
locally might be beech, pine, birch, sweet chestnut, horse chestnut,
ash and oak. Help us identify trees which will become the
‘ancients’ for future generations.
Did you know that mature oaks support more life forms than any
other native tree? They host hundreds of species of insect,
supplying many British birds with an important food source. The
soft leaves of English oaks break down with ease in autumn and
form a rich leaf mould beneath the tree, supporting invertebrates,
such as the stag beetle, and numerous fungi, like the oakbug milkcap.
Holes and crevices in the tree bark are perfect nesting spots for
the pied flycatcher or marsh tit. Several British bat species may
also roost in old woodpecker holes or under loose bark, as well as
feeding on the rich supply of insects in the tree canopy. Oaks
don’t produce acorns until they are at least 40 years old.
Steve Thomas, Bramshott and Liphook Parish Council’s tree
warden, has volunteered to help with the search for trees to go
on the Woodland Trust register. You don’t have to know the
species, the age or what category the tree might fall in. Just leave
a message in the parish office with a description of where the tree
can be found and Steve will investigate. Of course we can’t go on
to private land but if you know the landowner let us know.
Landowners can also register their trees with the Woodland
Trust if they wish.
Visit the Woodland Trust website for more information. For
those with children the Trust also has lots of ideas for activities for
youngsters. Go to www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/naturedetectives
Happy tree-hugging everyone!
Clr. Jeanette Kirby
OUR OPENING HOURS:
Mondays: 10.00am - 12 noon (excluding Bank Holidays)
Wednesdays: 2.00pm - 4.00p
Fridays: 10.00am - 12 noon
ALSO OPEN:
Saturday 10th June, 8th July and 12th August
10.00am - 1.00pm
Other times by prior arrangement
Tel.: 01428 727275 during opening hours
Email: liphookheritage@btconnect.com
Website: www.liphookheritage.org.uk
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