Jill wonders if this beech tree which is completely hollow and split in two can be the smallest veteran tree that has been found. If you have found a smaller hollow tree then do tell us about it.
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Jill wonders if this beech tree which is completely hollow and split in two can be the smallest veteran tree that has been found. If you have found a smaller hollow tree then do tell us about it.
Jane said,
December 6, 2007 @ 2:54 pm
Great video, really interesting. I have been wondering what makes a tree ancient rather than veteran. So what you’re saying is, on the whole, if it’s got a big girth and it’s hollow… there’s a good chance it’s ancient? When you say “ancient” what are you saying 200, 300, 400+ years old? or does each type of tree (eg oak, elm, chestnut) have an age when it becomes ancient? I hope that makes sense! I’ve been adding ancient/veteran trees to my blog and didn’t really know what to call them….
Jill said,
December 18, 2007 @ 2:15 pm
Hi Jane – you have got there! For each species of tree it is a different ‘age’. The key characteristics of an ancient tree are:
1. numbers of rings for which we use girth – although this is not failsafe as trees don’t always grow in good conditions and so the rings can be bigger or smaller depending on the circumstances.
2. the growing downwards of the crown or retrenchment – not necessarily a uniform process and can be triggered by natural or mad made events eg storms or damage to roots
3. hollowing – but this can start earlier than the ancient stage
Not an exact science but with a little ‘looking’ you can get your eye in. Its easy to tell true ancients but the margins of mature to early ancient can be a bit tricky.
Jane said,
December 20, 2007 @ 9:20 am
Many thanks Jill. Really interesting information… I can go out looking at my trees with “new” eyes. I hope you are getting lots of people looking at your blog… they are missing out if they aren’t!