Don't Cut That Tree!

A University of Nottingham study, used Woodland Trust data, to generate models, predicting where, in England, ancient and veteran trees were likely to be located. Volunteers were sent to selected locations to determine what trees were actually present. Relatively inaccessible locations all had many such trees. The study suggests there are more than 2 million ancient and veteran trees in England. Most are currently undocumented (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jun/30/study-suggests-existence-of-up-to-21m-ancient-and-veteran-trees-in-england). Ancient and veteran trees have no protections, unless they happen to grow in conservation areas or are associated with endangered animals. Campaigners are calling on the UK government to give ancient and veteran trees the same protections as wildlife and old buildings. This seems very unlikely. The UK government's Environmental Secretary actually appears intent on 'amending' the EU Habitats Directive (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jun/30/uk-government-scrap-european-law-protecting-special-habitats). The Habitats Directive protects designated Natura 2000 sites. England has more than 300 Natura 2000 sites, where special habitats are protected. The Environmental Secretary sees these as 'red tape' and is keen to make the countryside 'a place of business'. Protecting old trees would not be on his agenda.