Ancient Tree Forum Podcasts
Join us in the world of ancient and other veteran trees as we talk to the experts.
Tree Time Theme Time, Episode Seven – Lichens, longevity, lobaria (and lols) with ecologist Ola Bengtsson
Clare de Villanueva speaks with Ola about lichens, their significance to a place, their classification and usefulness. Are they mobile or static compared to an ancient tree and how does this determine the threats they face? We also mention tasting/licking specimens as a diagnostic tool… Enjoy!
Tree Time Theme Time with Tim Kellett, ATF Cornwall and Lawrie Sampson of FWAG on farming
Episode 6 – March 2021
Clare de Villanueva speaks with Tim Kellett and Lawrie Sampson about what might be emerging from the Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELMS) proposals as it affects established trees. What can be done to recognise, manage and protect ancient and veteran trees outside ELMS? What are the management barriers to farmers and land managers in following the best practice that protects our oldest trees’ longevity? Find out all this and more as we talk to two people who spend time on farms with farmers and their beautiful, treasured trees. Enjoy.
Tree Time Theme Time with Vikki Bengtsson on veteranisation
Episode 5 – December 2020
In this month’s podcast, Clare talks with Vikki Bengtsson about an introduction to the process of veteranisation – for those of you who are new to this technique. What is it good for?This year ATF podcasts have focused on “overviews and introductions”. These have been for those who are newer to the subject of managing ancient and veteran trees. ATF aims to both push the knowledge on ancient and veteran trees with and for experts, as well as share previous learning with a wide range of land managers and professionals, and we have been successful in the last few years of reaching these new audiences.
We may only have scratched the surface here (is that a pun..?) so veteranisation part two is now available, see above. Enjoy!
Tree Time Theme Time with Maurice Pankhurst on Atlantic oakwoods and Borrowdale through the ages
Episode 4 – November 2020
Welcome back to the ATF podcast! This time we talk to Maurice Pankhurst about the history of pollards and grazing, the future of land management in the Borrowdale valleys, looking out for small things (whilst not worrying too much about the Latin names), and attempting translocation of Lobaria pulmonaria.
Tree Time Theme Time with Suzanne Perry on wood pasture and parkland
Episode 3 – July 2020
What makes wood pasture unique? What are the interactions between trees and grazing animals? In this month’s episode, we speak with Suzanne Perry, senior specialist in wood pasture and parkland at Natural England. As ATF starts to explore the four key themes of Recognise, Protect, Restore and Enhance, Suzanne and Clare explore the history and development of these tree’d landscapes. We discuss the key features to look for and in what way the habitat is threatened.
Some references mentioned:
- Defra England Tree Strategy Consultation
- Woodlands, Oliver Rackham
- History of the Countryside, Oliver Rackham
- Trees in Anglo-Saxon England, Della Hooke
- Ancient Oaks in the English Landscape, Aljos Farjon (ATF book review)
- Rethinking ancient woodland, the archaeology and history of woods in Norfolk, Tom Williamson and Gerry Barnes.
- Living Landscapes: Parkland, Graham Harvey
- Burnham Beeches – Veteran Tree Trail
Tree Time Theme Time with Ben Averis on bryophytes
Episode 2 – June 2020
This month we speak with Ben Averis, a bryophyte specialist, based in Scotland. I was in contact with Ben recently about some survey work he has done at Thorneythwaite in Borrowdale, a beautiful example of upland wood pasture, and a site which the ATF is working with National Trust to restore and manage. He puts the UK’s rich bryophyte flora into a European and climate context. We discover what a leafy liverwort looks like, how important habitat continuity is, and finish by discussing how a beginner might enter the world of mosses and liverworts (which turn out to both be types of bryophyte!)
Starter reading list!
https://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/our-work/publications/bryophytes-atlantic-woodlands-guide-1-woodland (free download)
https://www.field-studies-council.org/shop/publications/woodland-mosses/
Tree Time Theme Time with Luke Steer
Episode 1 – May 2020
Luke Steer talks to host Clare de Villanueva about tree planting targets, pollarding, ash dieback and wood pasture. What does Luke think about the numbers the UK are looking to plant, and where should we plant them? How is ash die back developing in Cumbria? What makes wood pasture interesting? Find out this and more by listening below.
