Protecting the Giants of the Past: Ancient Trees at AWE
A survey has revealed that AWE’s Aldermaston site is home to a collection of ancient, veteran and notable trees, highlighting the site’s rich natural heritage and reinforcing AWE’s commitment to protecting valuable ecosystems.
Ancient and veteran trees are among the UK’s most important wildlife habitats. Over centuries, they develop unique characteristics such as hollow trunks, decaying wood and cavities that provide shelter and food for a wide range of species. Birds, bats, fungi, lichens and insects all rely on these specialised habitats, with some species found almost exclusively on older trees.
Because relatively few trees survive long enough to reach these stages of life, ancient and veteran trees are rare and highly valued. Their significance extends beyond biodiversity. These trees can offer insights into past land management practices, shape historic landscapes and, in some cases, even be linked to important historical events. Recognising their importance, the National Planning Policy Framework identifies ancient and veteran trees as irreplaceable habitats that deserve special protection.
Understanding Ancient and Veteran Trees
An ancient tree is one that has moved beyond maturity and is exceptionally old compared with others of the same species. These trees often display characteristics such as large trunk girths, decaying wood, fungal growth, hollow cavities and evidence of natural ageing processes, including crown retrenchment, where the canopy gradually reduces in size.
Veteran trees may not necessarily be ancient, but they have developed many of the same features, often due to their environment, management history or life experience. Signs of decay, hollowing, cavities and substantial dead wood are all indicators of a veteran tree.
The landscape can also contain notable, champion and heritage trees. Champion trees are recognised for their exceptional size, while heritage trees have important cultural or historical connections. Notable trees are significant mature specimens that stand out within their local environment.
Surveying AWE’s Natural Heritage
The survey focused on the eastern area of the AWE Aldermaston site and builds upon work previously undertaken in partnership with the Woodland Trust during 2017.
Researchers assessed trees by measuring trunk girth and estimating age using recognised reference data and comparisons with records from the Woodland Trust’s Ancient Tree Inventory. This process enabled the team to identify trees that could be classified as ancient, veteran or notable.
What the Survey Found
Fifteen trees were identified as having the potential to be ancient, veteran or notable.
Of these:
- Nine were classified as ancient trees
- Four were classified as veteran trees
- Two were classified as notable trees
The majority of trees surveyed were pedunculate oak (Quercus robur), with two Wellingtonia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) also recorded.
These findings demonstrate that AWE’s estate supports trees of considerable ecological and cultural importance, providing valuable habitats for wildlife while preserving a tangible connection to the site’s history.
Supporting Biodiversity for the Future
The survey forms part of a wider effort to understand and protect the environmental assets across AWE’s estate. Future surveys are planned for additional locations, including the Burghfield and Blacknest sites, helping to build a more complete picture of the organisation’s natural heritage.
Where possible, information gathered through the survey will be shared with the Woodland Trust’s Ancient Tree Inventory, contributing to the national record of these important habitats and helping to ensure their long-term protection.
By identifying and recording these remarkable trees, AWE is taking an important step towards safeguarding some of the most valuable and irreplaceable features within its landscape for generations to come.
