Accessibility Features
Accessibility | Skip to Start of Article | Skip to Search | Skip to Navigation Menu | Skip to Themes | Skip to Regions | Skip to Members Sign InAccessibility Features
Accessibility | Skip to Start of Article | Skip to Search | Skip to Navigation Menu | Skip to Themes | Skip to Regions | Skip to Members Sign In
Belfast-born presenter Eamonn Holmes has launched a UK-wide summer of hugs. Part of the Woodland Trust’s Ancient Tree Hunt project, the ‘Summer of Hugs’ is asking everyone – adults and children - to get hugging this June and July.
Eamonn Holmes launches a UK-wide ‘Summer of Hugs', as part of the Woodland Trust’s Ancient Tree Hunt project. With a helping hand from pupils from Inchmarlo, the team get to grips with one of Belfast’s oldest chestnut trees. Eamonn is joined by (from left to right): young volunteer Reece; with Teddy, Bradley and Myles of Inchmarlo. Photo by Press Eye.
With connotations of the flower-power sixties when people communed with nature, the Woodland Trust wants the public to direct their affection towards our ancient trees. These are our oldest trees, extraordinary in both cultural and ecological terms, yet sadly lacking the recognition they deserve. With your help, the Trust is on a mission to put the country’s unsung heroes firmly back on the map.
Patrick Cregg, the Woodland Trust’s director in Northern Ireland, explains: “We’re keen to encourage local people to take part in this UK-wide treasure hunt. Simply keep a look out for our oldest trees and record them on our website. It’s these old trees, with their nooks and crannies, which harbour an amazing array of life, from fungi to insects, bats and nesting birds.” He continues: “To record the tree you need to measure its girth and hugging is a simple way to do this. One adult ‘hug’, that’s from fingertip to fingertip, is taken as 1.5 metres; a child’s hug is roughly half that.”
Getting the ‘Summer of Hugs’ underway, Eamonn Holmes took a closer look at some of Belfast’s oldest chestnut trees. The trees were planted around 1620 and today still grace the grounds of the Royal Belfast Academical Institution (Inst), just off the Malone Road. With a helping hand from pupils of Inchmarlo, the prep school of Inst, the team got to grips with one magnificent sweet chestnut tree, estimating its girth to be just over seven metres.
Eamonn says:
Our ancient trees have seen centuries come and go, each with a unique story to tell. We need to make sure that they remain - for the benefit of wildlife and also for our future generations. Taking part in the Woodland Trust’s Ancient Tree Hunt is a good incentive to get out, have fun and explore nature. You’ll also be making a personal contribution towards giving these living landmarks some overdue recognition.”
Generally speaking, the older and fatter a tree is, the more important it is for wildlife. And where a number of ancient trees are gathered together, the more there are, the more valuable they are for biodiversity.
Some trees may even be as valuable in death as in life. Their decaying heartwood can linger for many years before it is gradually recycled into the ground. The old deadwood and hollow centres of ancient trees are extremely important habitats for rare species of fungi and insects.
Before beginning your quest for ancient treasure, have a look at the Ancient Tree Hunt website. It’s packed with tips for tree hunters, including how to recognise an ancient tree, measure its girth and how to identify different species. Find out more and record online at www.ancienttreehunt.org.uk or telephone the Woodland Trust’s Bangor office on 028 9127 5787 for a free leaflet.
The five-year project is led by the Woodland Trust in partnership with the Ancient Tree Forum and the Tree Register of the British Isles. In Northern Ireland the project is funded by Environment and Heritage Service. Other partners across the UK include the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.
Footer
NICVA | 61 Duncairn Gardens | Belfast | BT15 2GB
Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action is registered as a company limited by guarantee in Northern Ireland (No 1792) and is registered as a charity for tax purposes with the Inland Revenue