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Durham Biodiversity Partnership has recently launched a new two-year project which aims to conserve the heritage of veteran trees across the Durham Biodiversity Partnership area (Durham, Gateshead, South Tyneside, Sunderland and Darlington).
Veteran trees are the old trees found in our native woodlands, historic parklands and as part of hedgerows. As well as being an integral part of our natural heritage, they also provide a home to a wide variety of wildlife, including insects, bats, and birds. Today many of these trees are unprotected within the landscape, at risk from felling, changes to land use or competition from surrounding trees. There is often a lack of understanding of the importance of these trees both in terms of heritage and biodiversity.
The Durham Veteran Trees Project will work to secure the long term future of these valued features of our landscapes, by encouraging local communities to record trees and participate in their conservation. The project will organise recording and training events, work with schools to develop educational resource packs, encourage landowners to recognise their veteran trees and manage them in a positive way, and set up a Durham Veteran Tree Group for local volunteers.
Funding for the project has been secured from the Heritage Lottery Fund with support from Gateshead Council, Sunderland City Council and South Tyneside Council, Darlington Borough Council and Northumbrian Water.
For further information about the project and to find out about our free veteran tree training days and other events contact Jesse Meredith, the Durham Veteran Tree project officer on 0191 5843112 or e-mail jessemeredith@durhambiodiversity.org.uk
We are already interested receiving your records of old and interesting trees.
A survey form can be downloaded from the website www.durhamveterantrees.org.uk
Once completed, the information can be entered on to the national database or, if you prefer, send/email your completed survey form to the Durham Biodiversity Partnership or e-mail to the project officer.
Mapping these amazing trees is one step towards acknowledging their importance and making sure they are cared for in years to come.
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