15th October 2024
ATF North East – Field Trip to Allen Banks and Beltingham Yew – 30th August 2024
ATF North East Local Group – Allen Banks and Beltingham Yew Field Meeting 30th August 2024
Blessed with fair weather, the North East branch of the Ancient Tree Forum met at The National Trust property Allen Banks for its inaugural meeting on Friday the 30th August 2024. Following introductions and a group picture the programme began with a walk through the property’s woodland. The group was led by Chris Johnson and Paul Hewitt who took members on an informed stroll through the Ancient Woodland and along to the days next activity in the adjacent village of Beltingham.
Image credit: Nick Johnson
The group met at St Cuthberts Church where stakeholders of the Ancient Beltingham yew were also gathered. The Beltingham Yew, arguably the oldest tree in Northumberland and quite possibly the North East of England, stands proudly to the rear of the Church. It is preceded as you approach from the gate by slightly younger but no less impressive male and female guardian Yews.
The tree was nominated for the Woodland Trust Tree of the year in 2020; although it did not win that award it was never the less deemed significant enough for the Woodland Trust to acknowledge it. The Trust instructed Treescape Consultancy Ltd to inspect and carry out a report on the tree. In addition to this they gifted £500 for any management work that might be recommended to prolong its life. Arboriculture consultant Luke Steer subsequently produced a comprehensive report on the tree with a range of recommendations. Fortunately for us Luke agreed to meet with the group to talk through that report and discuss the issues raised.
The £500 donation was spent on opening the canopy of trees shading the North West side of the Beltingham Yew and removing the lower iron band which was probably installed around a hundred years ago. This band was beginning to prove potentially damaging to the tree’s health, constricting the tree, and preventing further development.
Other work which it is hoped can be carried out include soil analysis and the removal of other metal bands. This would only be possible following analysis of the tree’s structural integrity and an assessment of methods to effectively support the tree following the band removal. All these management strategies come at a cost, money that its custodians do not have. Our groups interest has sparked a renewed focus on this magnificent tree and a working group has been set up to work towards raising funds and commissioning work which will hopefully safeguard the tree’s future.
Image credit: Nick Johnson
A big thank you to all who attended our event on the 30th August, to Libby and Anne for helping enable our visit, the Reverend Canon Steve Wright of St Cuthberts for welcoming us to his church and to Luke Steer for a most illuminating and thought-provoking commentary and reflection on his Beltingham Yew report.
Image credit: Nick Johnson
Nick Johnson
ATF North East
northeast@ancienttreeforum.org.uk
