Trees as part of our heritage

Estimated to be up to 4,000 years old, this huge yew is the oldest tree in Wales.

The Tree Council first saw it in 1995, and it inspired the journey to make sure incredible trees like it are recognised for their unique national heritage.

Ancient trees aren’t always big. This ancient hawthorn is the last standing remnant of a now-gone hedgerow. Despite being fairly small, hawthorns are crucial to surrounding eco-systems, with their fruits and flowers supporting over 300 insects such as bees and moths. They also feed dormice, birds and a range of small mammals.

Despite being fairly small, hawthorns are crucial to surrounding eco-systems, with their fruits and flowers supporting over 300 insects such as bees and moths. They also feed dormice, birds and a range of small mammals.

As trees age they become increasingly dense and unruly. However, they can normally manage just fine on their own. 

This ancient yew has managed to support its enormous biomass by leaning its branches on the ground. The tree stands as a valuable lesson as to why we should refrain from interfering with nature as much as we can, and leave our leafy friends do what they do best – grow.

‘If loving you is wrong, I don’t want to be right.’

Tree carvings like this, known as arborglyphs, are a key part of our history. Not only do they remind us of the lives and stories of those who came before us, but they are also one of the earliest forms of writing.

Beech wood in particular was used by early Germanic tribes for inscriptions, making beech one of the earliest forms of 'paper' and the supposed origin of the word 'book'.