VETERAN TREE SURVEYS
Veteran tree surveys are conducted by our experienced tree survey team in accordance with industry methods and legislation. Our team of experienced consultants at Wharton can provide veteran tree management advice.
WHAT ARE ANCIENT AND VETERAN TREES?
An ancient tree is one that has passed beyond maturity and is old or aged, in comparison with other trees of the same species. Ancient trees tend to exhibit a small, retrenched canopy or will likely have a large diameter/girth stem relative to other trees of a similar species. They will also generally have a hollow main stem. However, ancient trees grow in so many different environments and have been influenced by so many factors over their long lives that they may not always have large girths.
The older the tree the more valuable it becomes. Dying ancient trees may endure for many decades and by still being present in the landscape continue the biological, historical, or cultural connection, as well as provide a very valuable habitat for wildlife.
A veteran tree is one that has survived various rigours of life and thus shows signs of ancientness, regardless of its age. Wounds, decay, tears, scars, and deadwood units are characteristics of veteran trees’ habitat. These characteristics have developed over time, not necessarily because of time, but because of environmental incidents. The terms “ancient” and “veteran” have been used interchangeably in the past, but it is important to understand the distinctions between them.
While an ancient tree is always a veteran, not all veteran trees are old enough to be ancient.
WHY ANCIENT AND VETERAN TREES ARE IMPORTANT?
Ancient and veteran trees are important from a number of aspects in terms of their cultural and historical heritage value, in which trees were historically pollarded, subject to “copparding” for producing firewood and fodder or are associated with historical events or characters like the Major Oak in Sherwood Forest and its association with Robin Hood.
Their ecological importance is particularly key in terms of providing habitats for rare fungi, invertebrates, lichens, birds, and bats. Their structural complexity provides many habitat niches that do not co-exist on younger trees. Many of the species that are reliant upon the niche habitats they provide are now recognised as endangered.
Particularly ancient trees are likely to be descendants of the natural wildwoods which once colonised Britain after the last ice age.
ANCIENT AND VETERAN TREES IN THE PLANNING PROCESS
Currently, the standing advice for ancient and veteran trees in terms of construction, demolition, and development is published within the advice from Natural England and the Forestry Commission. In this, ancient and veteran trees are recognised as a material constraint when local authorities are determining planning applications when assessing the direct and indirect impacts on ancient and veteran trees.
In summary, this guidance advises on the use of semi-natural buffer zones as a means of protection with minimum distances identified as:
01
Fifteen metres between any development and ancient woodland.
02
Fifteen times the diameter of its stem or 5m from the edge of its canopy, if that’s greater, around any ancient or veteran tree.
The National Planning Policy (NPPF) 2021 affords protection to ancient and veteran trees. Paragraph 180(c) specifies that planning authorities should apply the following principles when development that results in the loss or deterioration of irreplaceable habitats (such as ancient woodland and ancient or veteran trees) should be refused unless there are wholly exceptional reasons and a suitable compensation strategy exists.
When making planning decisions local authorities should consider:
- Conserving and enhancing biodiversity, and
- Avoiding and reducing the level of impact of the proposed development on ancient woodland and ancient and veteran trees.
WHAT TYPES OF ANCIENT AND VETERAN TREE SURVEYS DO WE OFFER?
At Wharton, we can help clients with a wide variety of surveys. From ancient and veteran trees to historic parkland from small to large estates with management plans; as well as planting schemes, aerial assessments, and tree decay detection.
We provide:
- Individual detailed tree inspections including the use of decay-detection equipment and an assessment of tree viability.
- Assessments of habitat provided by individual veteran trees.
- Assessment of signs of plant, insect and animal species associated with veteran trees.
- Assessment of tree risk posed by ancient and veteran trees and how to appropriately manage this risk whilst preserving these rare and niche habitats.
- Prescription of targeted veteran tree works specifications for long-term management.
- Trees plotted onto GIS (TreePlotter)
- Undertaking BS5837:2012 surveys and providing advice on buffer zones and development close to ancient and veteran trees.
ANCIENT TREE AGING PROCESS
As part of the ageing process, ancient trees become smaller, due to gradual dieback and branch loss. This starts to occur after the tree has passed its peak of maturity and is a natural process in which the area of foliage and the root system is rebalanced with each other. This process is known as crown retrenchment and is sometimes also described as ‘growing downwards’.
Hollowing of the trunk as a tree ages is entirely normal and is not a sign of ill health. It is the heartwood in the centre of the tree that is slowly decayed by fungi which rarely colonise the living sapwood. The hollowing of the trunk (and the shedding and decay of dead branches associated with retrenchment) may help the tree to live for longer, by releasing minerals that were “locked up” in the wood so they are available for the tree to re-use, seen with the presence of aerial roots within the hollowing of the stem.
It may take several hundred years for this special habitat to be created and be suitable for many rare and specialised fungi and animals. The decaying wood of an ancient tree is one of the most important habitats that exist in Europe and therefore it is vital to conserve all our ancient trees.
Why Trust
wharton
Hire a Professional Ecological Consultant
Since 2008, we have established a team with extensive experience with all types of surveys, including BS5837 Tree Surveys for planning, Tree Surveys and Reports for risk management, Ecological Surveys including Preliminary Ecological Appraisals, Preliminary Roost Assessments, Protected Species Surveys, and Biodiversity Net Gain.
Our highly qualified and experienced team of ecological consultants and specialists has a proven track record of assisting our clients in identifying successful natural-infrastructure solutions and nature conservation for even the most complex projects. We strive to consistently deliver high-quality, practical and innovative ecological consultancy services on a consistent basis while adhering to environmental laws, wildlife legislation, industry legislation, policy, and best practices.
Our ecological consultant listens to our clients; collaboration is one of our four core values, and it shows in the success we’ve shared with them in maximising development opportunities, managing trees and woodlands or enhancing biodiversity and landscapes while delivering the best environmental solutions. Our certified and professional ecology consultants have solid experience in helping with environmental conservation problems like air quality, water quality, waste management and reclaiming contaminated land.
Simply put – we understand natural infrastructure. Trust us that our ecological consultants have the expertise and key skills to help you design and plan a successful development, mitigate and compensate for impacts, manage risks and keep your project moving forward.
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