Veteran Tree Management

A veteran tree can be defined as: ‘a tree that is of interest biologically, culturally or aesthetically because of its age, size or condition’. Some trees are instantly recognisable as veterans but many are less obvious.

An alternative approach used by some people is to consider that the veteran, or ancient, stage is the final one in the life of a tree when the cross-sectional areas of successive annual rings in the main stem begin to decrease progressively. (Before this stage, successive rings will have already narrowed, but their areas will have been roughly constant, owing to their increasing girth.) In turn, the amount of leaf area that can be supported by the reduced annual increment eventually results in dieback of the crown. For this reason veteran trees are rarely tall with large crowns. In theory this definition sounds fine but in reality this growth phase may not be clearly recognisable even though it may be the longest one in the tree’s life. Dryden describing oaks is reputed to have said, ‘three centuries he grows and three he stays, supreme in state, and in three more decays’.

Characteristic features found on veteran trees
Listed below are characteristic features of veteran trees (see also Figure 3).The more the tree has, the stronger the indication that it is a veteran:

• Girth large for the tree species concerned
• Major trunk cavities or progressive hollowing
• Naturally forming water pools
• Decay holes
• Physical damage to trunk
• Bark loss
• Large quantity of dead wood in the canopy
• Sap runs
• Crevices in the bark, under branches or on the root plate sheltered from direct rainfall
• Fungal fruiting bodies (e.g. from heart rotting species)
• High number of interdependent wildlife species
• Epiphytic plants
• An ‘old’ look
• High aesthetic interest

In addition the tree may also:

• Have a pollard form or show indications of past management
• Have a cultural/historic value
• Be in a prominent position in the landscape

One of the difficulties of using the above list as an indicator of veteran status is that young trees which have been physically damaged; eg by fire, can show these features, whereas some veterans may exhibit very few.

How we can help:

If you are an owner one (or more) suspected veteran status trees, and need some professional advice, Tree Assist would be happy to arrange a consultation to discuss the various factors that will determine the best service that would suit your trees condition, and to assess what services and care may be needed to maintain your tree.

Our exemplary operational teams work strictly to specifications determined by our office team and are trained, experienced, and equipped to complete all work to the highest of standards.

All our work is completed within the BS3998 guidelines, of which you can view a summary of here: https://www.trees.org.uk/Help-Advice/Public/A-brief-guide-to-tree-work-terminology-and-definit

A word of warning: Many trees are legally protected. Felling or even just pruning a protected tree without permission from your Local Planning Authority may be a criminal offence.

We ALWAYS check on your behalf for: Tree Preservation Orders or Conservation Area restrictions with your local council’s Tree Officer and/or Planning Department before carrying out any works.

Information reference: https://www.ancienttreeforum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Veteran-Trees-A-Guide-to-Good-Management-COMPLETE.pdf