The National Trust invites the public to walk with ancient trees this winter

The National Trust is inviting the public to walk with its ancient tress during the winter season. When it comes to ancient trees, the UK comes top of the European chart and this winter the National Trust’s ancient tree adviser, Brian Muelaner, has picked ten of his favourite places to see these ’cathedrals of the natural world’.

All of the walks, which will vary in distance, are free to download from the National Trust website with route maps and points of interest marked along the walk.

Brian Muelaner, National Trust ancient tree adviser, said: "There is something really special about standing in front of a thousand year old oak tree in the winter when its at is starkest and yet amazingly beautiful.

“Walking with ancient trees any time of the year can give you a real sense of history and the things that they’ve seen through the centuries. But the winter months add a little something extra to that sense of drama with their size and presence in the landscape underneath moody skies.”

The National Trust is currently carrying out a three year audit of ancient trees on its land. It’s estimated that the Trust cares for more than 40,000 ancient trees in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the largest collection held by any one organisation in Western Europe.

Some of the most important ancient and notable trees can be found at Trust places, including Newton’s apple tree in Lincolnshire, the Tolpuddle Martyrs tree in Dorset and the two thousand year old Ankerwycke Yew in Berkshire.

Brian Muelaner’s top ten National Trust places to visit for ancient tree walks can be found on the National Trust website.

About the National Trust:
The National Trust is one of the most important nature conservation organisations in Europe with over 1,000 sites covering 250,000 hectares, including coastal sites, woodland and upland areas; many of which are rich in wildlife.  All 17 species of UK bat have been recorded as roosting or breeding on National Trust land and 96 per cent of all resident UK butterflies can be found on our land. Wicken Fen in Cambridgeshire is our most species rich site and 93 per cent of our land has been surveyed for its natural importance.

The National Trust offers many places to visit in the UK, including nature walks, family days out and cycle trails.

PR Contact:
Mike Collins
Senior Press Officer
The National Trust
Heelis
Kemble Drive
Swindon
Wiltshire
SN2 2NA
01793 817708
www.nationaltrust.org.uk

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Mike Collins

Senior Press Officer

The National Trust

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