When we talk about veterans most of us think about the nation’s armed forces; remarkable individuals who have selflessly served their country. It’s something that was brought home to us more than ever during the recent VE Day 80 commemorations. But across Britain, in orchards, woods and forests, there are veterans of a different sort that are also attracting attention.
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A veteran tree is the official name for a tree in its mature stage of life, usually showing signs of age, damage and decay. It might have fungi or lichen growing on it, a hollow trunk, loose bark or obvious signs of dead wood.
You might think that a tree that is full of holes, cavities and crevices is no use to anyone but, in fact, veteran trees are incredibly important for biodiversity and nature conservation. For starters, fungi and lichen provide a free home for insects, food for animals such as squirrels and voles, and nesting material for birds. Its nooks and crannies are the ideal habitat for woodpeckers and nuthatches; they attract owls, tree-creepers and kestrels; provide roosting sites for bats; and spots to shelter for dormice and badgers. Even amphibians get a look-in – great crested newts love to hide away in the decaying wood of a veteran tree.
These old-timers in our woodlands are a vital part of the rural landscape. They can be boundary trees, landscape markers, fragments of lost hedgerows and remnants of ancient wood pasture. I’ve become really fascinated by the different roles these trees play since acquiring 40 hectares of hilly Gloucestershire countryside away from the main farm, to create a sustainable farming business that supports biodiversity. At the top of the hill around a third of the land is untouched scrub and woodland, which I want to put to good use while taking care to preserve its heritage.
I was keen to get some expert advice and really struck gold when I had a visit from Jo Leigh of The Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG). As we made our way uphill through the long grass and under overhanging branches, Jo excitedly pointed out the distinguishing features of each tree, occasionally stopping in the dappled sunshine to confirm yet another veteran of this species or that. She was particularly impressed by a cluster of chestnut trees which are so old they have long, downward-growing ‘limbs’ to hold them up in old age.
“It’s all about making sure we’ve got that succession of trees and it’s absolutely fabulous for wildlife,” Jo explained. “There are no gaps between what’s really old – hundreds or thousands of years – and what’s a lot younger, 20 or 30 years old.”
All around are bushes and brambles with a sward of grasses and rushes underfoot. The patchwork of habitats really appeals to me, but I know that agriculturally it’s a challenge. A while ago I brought a little flock of sheep to the area but almost immediately they started getting tangled up in the brambles.
After that setback, I’m happy to say Jo confirmed my hunch that introducing cattle to graze the area is the way forward. It will benefit the animals, encourage more insects and, in turn, boost biodiversity. Exactly what I want to achieve. In effect, it’s turning the clock back to the days when our farming forebears regularly let their livestock roam free in this way. Those veteran trees will be the crowning glory of my own classic wood pasture and I can’t wait to get started.
Read more of Adam's columns
- ‘Scratch Gloucestershire and find Rome’ – from sheep to byways, here’s how the Romans changed Britain’s countryside forever
- It’s low in fat and high in protein – but you won’t find it on many supermarket shelves. So why aren’t we eating more venison, asks Adam Henson
- Is this the end of the great British pint? Why concern is growing over the future of this centuries-old tradition
- "It won’t be long before it’s normal to run an entire farm from a phone." Adam Henson explores what's next for AI in farming
Top image: Adam Henson on Countryfile. Credit: BBC Studios/Pete Dadds
