welcome to the ancient tree nursery

Meeting future challenges with conservation-grade trees

NATURE’S TIME MACHINES

Ancient trees are a window into the past

Our oldest native trees could be harbouring the genetic potential to help the woodlands of the future adapt to change.
We are a not-for-profit organisation working to harness that potential, at the same time conserving the unique heritage of these wonderful old trees.

Chillingham Great Oak
UK GOVERNMENT TARGETS 30,000 HECTARES OF NEW WOODLAND EVERY YEAR

A fresh approach to woodland creation

ACHIEVABLE

Just 1% is enough

Only a small percentage of all trees planted need to come from ancients. If they have the right genes they will prosper and contribute more to the next generation.

ENGAGING

Partnership works

We can’t do this alone! By working in collaboration we can scale more effectively and harness the enthusiasm that others share for this approach.

RIGOROUS

Best practice

We will always secure the consent of landowners when collecting seeds and will use appropriate methods to ensure we do no harm.

SPECIAL OR JUST LUCKY? PROBABLY BOTH

Ancient trees are an important, overlooked and dwindling resource

WHAT WE DO

The Ancient Tree Nursery is an idea, a call for change

There are multiple challenges but we are making progress in addressing them. They include the procurement of seed to ensure there is sufficient supply, the actual germination and growing of saplings, and driving demand to the point where we have a self sustanining system.

Forest genetic materials

We work with landowners to identify ancient trees. We collect seeds and, if appropriate, cuttings from which to grow saplings. Each seed is traceable to its parent tree, creating a useful data resource for future research.

The nurseries

We started our own small nursery in 2025. But success will really only come as we work collaboratively with others. We are working to connect activities in the North East as a proof of concept.

Influencing policy

Ultimately we would like the contribution of ancient trees to the next generation of woodland to be formally recognised through government tree planting policy. In the meantime there are plenty of people who think it’s a good idea and will voluntarily include ancient tree saplings in their tree planting mix.

Some of our collaborators

join us to help make the uk’s native woodlands more resilient

We would love to hear from you

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