Veteran and Ancient Trees

Veteran and ancient trees are to be found all around the Ironbridge Gorge. They are not only beautiful in their own right, but are also recognised for their conservation value. This is because as trees age, they offer habitats to an increasingly wide range of plants, animals and fungi. Over time, water speeds up the process of rot and decay, creating hollows in the tree, which in turn provide secure roosting for bats, and nesting sites for different types of bird.

Indeed, decay and rot are very important nature conservation features. Fallen timber, for example, provides a rich habitat for invertebrates, providing food for birds and other wildlife. However, decay also weakens trees, a process which requires the Trust to undertake regular inspection programmes and tree maintenance and safety work. Consideration is always given to the nature conservation and landscape value of trees, and wherever possible, specialist techniques are used to make individual specimens safe to retain them.