July 2021: The importance of Veteran Tree Management plans

Sylvan is instructed to advise on the management of a population of ancient and veteran trees. During our site visit we were very disappointed to see that one of the high quality veteran trees had been subject to crown hygiene works, with deadwood removed and a valuable habitat stub (see photo), which included a dry habitat space, pruned out. These are precisely the sort of features that add value to veteran trees, and had a suitable management plan been in place, this would have provided the necessary information to explain why they should be retained or (in the case of hazardous dead wood), managed appropriately. If you are responsible for ancient or other veteran trees, we would be pleased assess and advise on their future management requirements so as to maximise habitat value over time.