Ancient chestnut tree is 15,000th to be mapped
The Murthly tree is measured by volunteers during the inventory The Ancient Tree Inventory began as the Heritage Lottery funded Ancient Tree Hunt in January 2006.
The UK’s ancient trees have no automatic right of protection. There is no equivalent to Scheduled Ancient Monument status which important archaeological sites have.
The famous Fortingall Yew - judged to be at least 2000 years old - highlights the disparity. The wall around the tree attracts formal legal protection rather than the tree itself.
Kylie Harrison Mellor, Woodland Trust’s citizen science officer said: “Ancient trees are as much a part of our heritage as stately homes, cathedrals and works of art, but they don’t get the same protection. Identifying where ancient trees are takes us one step closer to giving them the care and protection they need.
“So today’s recording of the 15,000th tree in Scotland is really worth celebrating – and so are the efforts of the dedicated band of tree recorders and verifiers who do this important work.”
A map of all the recorded trees can be viewed at ati.woodlandtrust.org.uk where there is also further information on the inventory including details of becoming involved.