Walkers urged to pick up an acorn from ancient trees

9:24am Monday 22nd September 2008

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COUNTRYSIDE charities are hoping to encourage woodland walkers to help a project which aims to boost the number of native trees in Cumbria.

The Woodland Trust and the Tree Council is appealing to members of the public to take part in this autumn’s Acorns to Ancients project by collecting seeds from ancient trees to grow into new trees and help to ensure the UK’s ancient trees have plenty of healthy descendents.

Participants are also being asked to write about their experiences on the Ancient Tree Hunt website.

Anyone wishing to take part can find their nearest ancient or veteran tree on the Ancient Tree Hunt website www.AncientTreeHunt.org.uk, where there are also tips for collecting and growing seeds into new trees.

According to the trust, acorns from oak trees, ash keys from ash trees, and beechnuts from beech trees are easy to grow and will be big enough to plant outside after a year or so.

Project manager Nikki Williams said: “Looking for ancient trees in your area from which to gather seeds is really important. Seeds that come from local trees belong to a tree family that’s already accustomed to the type of soil and climate where you live.

“Ancient trees have already proved they can live for a long time, so it’s good idea to collect from them. There’s a good chance their offspring can also live into old age. Local species of tree will also benefit local wildlife which is already adapted to them, rather than planting unusual trees from other places,” she added.