Veteran Trees - January 2025

Pishiobury Park has many veteran trees. Some tree species like Oak and Lime can live for hundreds of years and these are the ones we immediately think of when we look for veteran trees. Veteran status can apply to any tree and is a reflection of great age (within the context of a tree’s expected lifespan) and significant life events. Attendees at our recent event saw examples of Lime with damaged and fallen branches, Oaks damaged by disease,  high winds and by lightning, Horse Chestnuts with significant historical damage by horses and Field Maples split into dual or multi trunk examples. Other veteran tree species were perhaps less obvious, Hawthorn which had grown around parts of a metal fence, Hazel originally planted as a source of supports for fruit trees (in the days before bamboo canes) and Wild Plum, originally planted as a part of a hedge. Other examples included Hornbeam and a very large Crabapple tree.