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UK storms caused 'greatest tree loss in a generation' Tree storm damage 'worst since 1987'
(about 1 hour later)
The winter storms that battered the UK caused the greatest loss of trees since the Great Storm of 1987 in some areas, the National Trust has said. This winter's extreme winds caused the biggest loss of trees in more than 20 years, according to the National Trust.
More than 50 of the trust's sites were surveyed, with some losing hundreds of trees, including valued ancient specimens. Some of their sites have seen the greatest number of trees knocked down since the Great Storm of 1987.
Many trees were uprooted and blown over rather than snapped because of the saturated ground. A number of rare and historic specimens have been lost, including the largest tree in Essex.
The trust said that despite the damage, the losses could have been worse. Researchers from the Trust are worried that the winds will have severely weakened many older trees.
'Think carefully' The National Trust is one of Britain's biggest landowners and look after 25,000 hectares of trees across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The National Trust's nature and wildlife specialist, Matthew Oates, said: "Increased storminess, and increased extreme weather events generally, are likely to stress trees further, especially veteran trees. After the extreme weather of the past few months they've now carried out a survey at more than 50 of their sites.
"We will have to think carefully about where we establish trees and what species we plant." While they don't know the full number of trees that have gone, they say it is the greatest loss of trees in two decades.
Gardeners, rangers and foresters told the trust that the losses of trees had been the greatest in more than two decades on some sites, while others suffered little damage. In some cases, greater damage has been done than during the Great Storm of 1987.
Killerton Estate in Devon suffered some of the biggest losses, with more than 500 trees blown over, the trust said, including 20 that were significant to the estate's landscaping. The saturated state of the earth following the prolonged downpours had greatly weakened the soil. As a result of the 10-15 storms over the winter, many trees gave way.
Specimen trees were badly damaged or blown over in gardens and parks, particularly in south-west England and Wales, but gardens outside the West also suffered, with Tatton Park near Manchester, Nymans in West Sussex and Scotney Castle in Kent all affected. "It is definitely the greatest period of loss since January 1990," said Matthew Oates from the Trust.
'Old sentinels' "In 1987 and 1990 it was really the volume that was lost that was worrying, this time it is the quality of the trees. We've lost a lot of significant, old sentinel trees, ancient beech, oak and ash trees."
Mottisfont Abbey and the New Forest, both in Hampshire, lost hundreds of trees across three areas. The western and southern half of England and Wales have borne the brunt of the losses. Some historic and regionally important trees have gone, including a rare black walnut at Hatfield Forest, which was the largest in Essex.
Stourhead in Wiltshire, meanwhile, suffered the loss of 400 trees across the wider estate, including an oak that could have been between 200 and 250 years old and planted by the man who created the landscape garden. The Killerton Estate in Devon had more than 500 trees blown over by the storms, including 20 significant trees within the design landscape.
Other trees lost included a rare black walnut at Hatfield Forest, which was the largest in Essex. Alan Power, head gardener at Stourhead in Wiltshire, said his garden had lost up to 400 trees with some important specimens now gone.
Mr Oates said: "People love and need trees, and the loss of specimen trees in gardens and parks, and of ancient beeches and oaks in the woods and wider countryside, hurts us all and damages much wildlife. "We've lost one spectacular oak tree, which could well be between 200 and 250 years old and planted by the man who created the landscape garden at Stourhead," he said.
"We value and venerate these old sentinels and need to become increasingly aware of the power of the weather." While the losses are a concern for the Trust there are some positives. The fallen trees encourage a range of species, increasing the biodiversity of forests.
"Dead wood as we call it, is a great habitat for beetles, flies and fungi and once a tree has fallen and is left there, then there's 25 years of really important ecology happening," said Matthew Oates.
Going forward, the Trust is concerned that many trees have "lifted" their roots, having been loosened by the storms and that these may have to be cut down if they are close to a pathway or road.
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