Wrexham Memories: Ancient tree experts converge on Chirk Castle

By Flintshire Chronicle on Apr 30, 09 02:07 PM in 2000 onwards

A TEAM of ancient tree experts met at Chirk Castle to record the living giants of the landscape before they disappear, like the lost Queen's Oak of Ruabon.

Organised as part of the Woodland Trust's Ancient Tree Hunt, the training day attracted around 20 volunteer ancient tree recorders and verifiers.

These volunteers have the task of visiting trees members of the public have entered on the Ancient Tree Hunt website and ensuring the information is accurate.

Already more than 36,000 ancient and notable trees have been recorded across Britain by 6,000 recorders. In Wales, 131 people have entered details of 1,738 trees.

David Alderman, from the Ancient Tree Hunt led the tree recording session. He referred to the lost Queen's Oak at Ruabon, that featured on a postcard from around the beginning of the 20th century, on which it is described as the largest tree in Wales.
He says: "We don't even know exactly where the the tree stood. Wynnstay Park is the obvious place and there is also a Queen's school near here. The tree's measurements aren't recorded but people pictured at the base imply it was gigantic! "It would be great to discover more about this tree, and I'd ask anyone with any more information about this tree to contact the Woodland Trust on 01766 832563", he said.
Amongst other speakers at meeting was Carl Green, the National Trust's Warden for Chirk Castle, who is responsible for looking after the ancient trees on the estate. He said: "The ancient trees are a real feature of the estate and it's a pleasure to work with them. Many of the trees here go back to the 1760s and one to 1748. We're hoping that part of the estate will be designated as an SSSI within 12 months, and the ancient trees and the invertebrates they support are key features of the site."

The Ancient Tree Hunt is a project that aims to involve thousands of people in finding and mapping all the fat, old trees across the UK. It will create a comprehensive living database of ancient trees and is the first step towards cherishing and caring for them.

To record an ancient or notable trees visit www.ancienttreehunt.org.uk. It is free to take part, and by doing so you will be helping to secure a future for a vital part of our natural heritage.