Trees inspire awe in me. They hold so much and stand with such extraordinary grace and unhidden truth. The beauty of their buds unfurling in spring makes my heart smile and my soul weep with gratitude for life, the dappled light of trees in summer makes me dance and sing, the slumber of deciduous trees in winter helps me to slow down and find my stillness. Trees amaze and inspire me all the time. Ancient trees have something extra. Ancient trees touch the web with such wisdom, such vision, such depth of knowing, that to be in the presence of one is deeply humbling and inspiring. Ancient trees give many Druids, myself included, a pure draft of clear, delicious Awen. What can we possibly give in return? How can we honour them?
The Ancient Tree Forum
TDN is supporting the work of the 'Ancient Tree Forum'. The Ancient Tree Forum seeks to secure the long term future of ancient trees through advocacy of the importance of their protection, encouraging research, promoting best conservation practice and increasing people's enjoyment of old trees. In a new partnership with the Woodland Trust, the Ancient Tree Forum is trying to protect ancient trees and create a succession of ancient trees for the future.
If you have a relationship with an ancient tree, ask if it wants to be part of the ancient tree map of the UK. If you are able to do so, join the survey of ancient trees and send information about the trees you know. Visit the website http://www.ancient-tree-hunt.org.uk/
"Our ancient trees are all too easily lost" says Ted Green, a founder member of the Ancient Tree Forum, "and because we don't know where they all are, its hard to protect them"
Around the country ecologists at each county's Local Biological Records Centre are collecting information on ancient trees in order to help protect and preserve them. The Woodland Trust is running a simple surveyto gather as much information as possible about the distribution of ancient trees across the UK. The trees which are surveyed are entered onto a national database and can be seen via on-line maps. The Woodland Trust's map of ancient trees will give a much better understanding of the number and size of ancient trees across the country. It could function as another thread of connection within your Druidry, from it you can find the ancient trees nearest where you live or places you frequently visit.
We are urging TDN members to get involved and help record the ancient trees in their area, or to share their knowledge of local ancient trees. There are thousands of ancient trees scattered across our countryside yet to be ‘discovered'. To find and record them all is a huge task but if you can help, every tree recorded will help to build a better picture of Europe's remarkable trees. Find out more about Ancient Trees on the Woodland Trust's Ancient Tree Forum.
