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p E H H h T E o R T t F P I o O s H R : S D A R LOCAL WIL DLIFE SITES S E n H d N I R r T e E R w A L P H O a C S r A E r L T i I s W S newsle tter I L D L I F E NEWS FROM YOUR HERTFORDSHIRE LO CAL WI LDLIFE SITES PARTNERSHIP 8679 Welcome... to the 2018 Local Wildlife Sites Lichens –Ancient Trees to orchards newsletter. In this issue we are looking at ancient and veteran Scripture-wort (Graphis scripta) Barnacle lichen (Thelotrema lepadinum) trees, which species depend on e g them and how to best manage d o Lichens are dual organisms – a L Hertfordshire, is said to require a l The partnership them. o r a combination of a fungus and alga – continuity of tree cover of at least C This newsletter has been produced by : o and often provide a useful indication t 400 years. In optimum environments Parkland in Hertfordshire o Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust on behalf h What are Wildlife Sites? p of the health and history of an in the west of the country Scripture- of the Local Wildlife Sites Partnership, ecosystem. wort Graphis scripta often occurs in supported by funding from the Environment Local Wildlife Sites (LWS) are Parklands in Hertfordshire originate from deadwood characteristics of natural individual needs will extend their lifespan early successional habitats e.g. as a Agency . sites of substantive nature either Royal hunting grounds, original woodland. The confinement of several and provide a stable habitat for the Besides being of value in their own twig species in Willow Carr, in the conservation value and although wood pasture – possibly centuries old – poorly-dispersing beetles and lichen species they support, greatly benefitting right, veteran trees support distinct east it tends to be associated with they do not have any statutory or were created from agricultural land species to ancient pasture-woodland is wildlife. associations of lichens. The species our ancient woodlands occurring e.g. status, many are equal in quality in the 18th and early 19th centuries. thought to indicate a continuity of e g of greatest conservation interest are on the smooth trunks of Hornbeam. to statutory Sites of Special d o They are often rich in veteran trees ancient trees and veteran features to The longer they are managed by careful L generally to be found in tree trunks. l The Wildlife Sites Partnership in Hertford shire Scientific Interest (SSSI). o r whose longevity is mostly attributed primeval times. Such sites, however, pollarding, the longer the trees will live. a Some may be indicative of ecological The boughs of orchard trees often includes Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust, C There are more than 40,000 : to their historic management. In wood are few and isolated, with many in poor However, veteran or ancient trees that Hertfordshire Environmental Records Centre, o continuity and occur in relic draw one’s attention due to their t o pasture, many trees were pollarded, with or compromised condition. have fallen out of the pollard cycle do Hertfordshire Ecology, Natural England, Local Wildlife Sites in England h communities with species likely to prolific cover of foliose (leafy) lichens. p the Countryside Management Service, overseen by 65 Local Sites the cut wood providing winter fodder not respond well to re-pollarding. They have been more widespread before These species have flourished since for grazing animals. The elevated height In Hertfordshire, we are privileged to are extremely fragile, sensitive to Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, Chilterns systems, covering contrasting the industrial revolution, but now sulphur dioxide pollution has been AONB, the Forestry Commission and the What are Ancient and Veteran Trees landscapes in coastal, rural and of the tree regrowth protected the new have a number of great parklands surgery and can easily be killed by widely lost due to pollution. These reduced and tend to be better Environment Agency, and is coordinated by Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust. and why are they important? growth from being grazed, and the including Panshanger Park, Sacombe overzealous pruning. If work is needed communities can, for example be colonists and more widespread than urban situations. Hertfordshire regular pruning served to extend the Park, Brocket Park, Stagenhoe Park, on an old tree that has not been pruned found on Hornbeam pollards in the species on ancient trees. currently has 1,575 habitat LWS. The term ‘ancient’ refers to a tree’s as large cavities in stem and limbs, tree’s life. In more recent times, many Knebworth Park, Broxbournebury Park for over ten years, it must be done with woodlands in southern Hertfordshire Orchards in Hertfordshire often have Registered address: Together with SSSI, LWS age class as beyond full maturity, included bark and load-bearing tears, of these pollards have fallen out of and Youngsbury Park. These contain a extreme caution and with the advice of or on some of the veteran oaks in a good range and high cover of Herts and Middlesex support locally and nationally characterised by crown retrenchment water-filled hollows in limb-joints and management because the practice is variety of ancient and veteran trees, conservation experts. A living tree Panshanger Park. These specialist lichens, supporting invertebrates and Wildlife Trust, threatened species and habitats. and reduced annual incremental growth. gnarly root collars with detritus build- no longer continued, resulting in them most famously the ‘Panshanger Oak’ in provides stability for its veteran lichens are often easily overlooked, food webs in the orchard ecosystem. Grebe House, They play a critical role in Wood-decay attributes accumulate, ups and established water seepages, becoming top-heavy, unbalanced and Panshanger Park, which was allegedly features, but when a tree dies, the St Michael’s Street, such as the minute pinhead species Maintenance is an important factor: St Albans, AL3 4SN forming the building blocks of such as cavities and decay columns, as well as more deeply fissured and their survival being threatened. planted by Queen Elizabeth I in the 16th whole tree will decay faster than the lining bark crevices and small crusts Although pruning will lead to the ecological networks and Living rots, stubs, decorticate wood, and leached acidic bark. Epicormic growth century. Knebworth Park contains over rate of decay within a living tree, losing 01727 858901 towards the base of the tree. The removal of some of the lichens, it also Landscapes. flaking or fissured bark. These veteran may testify to their retrenchment and The historic practice of pollarding 500 Hornbeam pollards which date to at the habitats it provided for some of the inf [email protected] richness on these trees is often only creates broad, open canopies with www.hertswildlifetrust.org.uk features usually naturally increase regenerative abilities, so that a living promotes the development of veteran least the mid-18th century, if not earlier. rarest species in the UK. revealed by close examination with a good balance between shade and with age, but many are a response to healthy ancient tree potentially provides features in living trees. Indeed, pasture- Registered in England: 816710 a hand lens. light for lichen colonisation. In addition, Registered Charity: 239863 environmental impacts. Such stresses a continuity of decay features over that woodland is thought to mimic the Managing veterans according to their David Williamson some fruit trees, particularly cherry, may be biotic, like fungal and bacterial of an early veteran or rotting snag. Veterans found in more sheltered and have an acidic bark suitable for Comments or attacks causing cankers, exudations Mature trees begin to naturally become The Hertfordshire Local Wildlife Sites Partnership e and rots. They can also be abiotic: humid environments usually have the species such as the bearded lichen W suggestions for richer in such decay characteristics. continuity of veteran and ancient trees in greatest variety of lichens. Many of (Usnea subfloridana) . This group does not necessarily identify with or hold t to wounds can facilitate entry of micro- Did you know? themselves responsible for the views expressed wan future articles that locality all the way back to the ice age. these can be badly affected by sudden however, has been in decline in the by contributors, correspondents or advertisers. organisms; storms can cause limb-loss, Ancient trees are hugely valuable for Many Click Beetles, some recorded in rom If you preferred changes in the micro-environment, region due to pollution. In this way, ar f shake and lightning scars; drought or wildlife. Over 20% of the UK’s 13,650 Hertfordshire, are associated with the heart They got their names from the curious way he to receive your making sensitive management crucial. ! flooding can lead to root and canopy fungal species are thought to be rot of living veteran and ancient Oaks, Ash, in which they get back on their feet, if they the changing lichen communities on you Printed by N2 Visual Communications on Xerox Colour newsletter via die-back. Ancient woodland is also important orchard trees are good indicators of Impressions Silk, an FSC certified stock made from saprophytic (feeding on dead organic d Beech and Elms. Their life cycle is so have flipped over: They arch their back and n email, please a ll because it offers a stable micro-climate. a minimum of 50% recycled fibre, at a mill that has been matter), with the great majority of o intrinsically linked to heart rot of old living environmental change. H flip up into the air with an audible ‘click’, t awarded the ISO140001 certificate for environmental contact Carol Lodge: re The Barnacle Lichen (Thelotrema Ancient trees will more likely develop other species that utilise the dead ga trees that their presence can indicate the until they land on their feet.

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