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The ancient English oak - From Ice Age to the 21st Century in seven generationsPhoto call: Tuesday 22 November at 11am – Children from The Royal School, Windsor Great Park, and Cheapside Primary School, Ascot, scatter acorns from thousand year old oak trees in Cranbourne Forest, Windsor Great Park Meet at the Pink Lodge, on the A332, just outside Windsor (SL4 2BY) In Windsor Great Park and forest, there are several ancient oak trees which are over one thousand years old. These could represent only the seventh generation of oak trees dating back to the last Ice Age and they are biologically unique. Ted Green, Conservation Consultant at Windsor Great Park and founder member of the Ancient Tree Forum, comments: “These thousand year old oaks represent a biological continuity dating back perhaps only seven generations to the last Ice Age. Windsor Great Park has the largest collection of old oaks remaining in Western Europe. These trees are not only of historic interest, but are also a valuable part of our cultural heritage. They would have been used by William the Conqueror to build Windsor Castle. The planting of acorns from these ancient trees perpetuates their genes to maintain the continuity of these magnificent oaks and is part of an on-going programme by The Crown Estate.” Windsor Great Park and forest has the largest collection of ancient and veteran oak trees that remain in Europe north of the Mediterranean and the Pyrenees together with many old beech trees. There are up to three thousand ancient and several thousand veteran oak trees some of which date back to the time of William the Conqueror. They provide a thriving and diverse habitat for animals, insects and birds. The special features of ancient trees which make them unique as a wildlife habitat are the exceptionally species rich communities associated with wood decay, the bark, boughs and roots. John Deakin, Chief Forester, comments: “The warm, dry conditions in the spring and the ground moisture available through the summer have produced a mast year for the native oak trees when they produce exceptional amounts of acorns. Here at The Crown Estate, as the stewards of this special landscape for future generations, we are collecting the acorns from these historic trees for planting in the Park.” Ends For more press information call Sarah Halstead, Marketing Dept, The Crown Estate, on 07918 121905 or email Sarah.Halstead@thecrownestate.co.uk |
