The inside story

Hollow ancient trees have hosted dinner parties, and served as preachers’ pulpits and bullpens – and it’s even said 39 people once fit inside the trunk of the Bowthorpe Oak in Lincolnshire!

Why do trunks become hollow?

A hollowing trunk is often natural. The centre of the tree is deadwood, which fungi slowly decays. Trees spend years storing minerals in this wood, and as it decays, they’re released and used again. So, along with the annual supply of leaves and decaying branches, the hollowing trunk provides the tree with recycled nutrients, helping it to live longer.

Hollow trunks allow trees to bend in high winds, and they provide habitats for wildlife, as they offer protection from extreme weather and a constant temperature. They can be nesting or roosting sites for bats and birds, while the cavernous spaces at the foot are ideal for hibernating hedgehogs or snakes laying eggs. In addition to fungi, epiphytes and invertebrates colonise hollowing trees too.

It’s also worth noting, some ancient trees are protected by fencing to prevent further compaction of the soil, so please steer clear if fencing is present.

Famous hollow trees

The Borrowdale Yews, Cumbria, were celebrated by Wordsworth in his 1803 poem, Yew Trees.

The largest is more than 7m in girth and can hold four people.

The Marten Oak, Cheshire, was referred to as the largest tree in England in 1880. Over the years, it has served as a bullpen, a pigsty and a Wendy house. The Crowhurst Yew, Surrey, is a churchyard tree that has a door built into its trunk. In 1850 it housed a table and benches.

The Pulpit Yew, Denbighshire, Wales, has a lectern. Steps lead through it to a podium where legend has it John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, once preached.

Help protect ancient trees

The UK has thousands of ancient trees – volunteers have recorded more than 180,000 for the Ancient Tree Inventory. Our oldest, some around 1,000 years old, are important for our heritage and vital for wildlife, yet they don’t have the protection they need.

The Woodland Trust is working hard to ensure they’re valued and safeguarded in the same way as listed buildings or ancient monuments are. By becoming a member, you can support this work, helping these living legends to survive for generations to come. Stand in an ancient tree and you’re standing inside a piece of history. That’s why the Woodland Trust wants to protect them – and you can help