White paper (11/2025)
Ancient trees present a snapshot of historical genetic variation that might otherwise be lost from the wider population. This is especially the case against a government policy encouraging significant uplift in woodland cover and other tree planting activity. The Ancient Tree Nursery (ATN) has been established to ensure that ancient tree genetic materials are incorporated into mainstream woodland creation.
Wooded habitats are persistent features of the landscape. Woodlands created today are likely to still be in existence centuries from now and, given the anticipated changes in environmental conditions that seem likely, it is vital that they have the highest possible capacity to adapt.
The current demand for trees has potential to narrow the gene pool because of the way that tree seed is procured to supply the nursery sector. Policymakers are aware of the issue and steps are being taken to address it through the identification of greater numbers of seed sources. We also believe that ancient trees can play an important role in contributing to the solution.
The ATN will establish a proof of concept for the collection of seeds from ancient trees, growing to whip stage, and supply to mainstream woodland creation and tree planting initiatives. This will include development of a system for tracking individual plants from seed through to deployment of saplings. This system is integral to our aims to better understand the process of gene flow through the landscape and to address emerging issues in a timely manner.
Ultimately, we would like to establish seed orchards populated by clones of ancient trees. There are two major advantages in this approach: first is to bring trees to one place to improve seed collection and other management efficiencies. The second is that enabling ancient tree clones to interbreed will produce novel genetic combinations that might yield additional adaptive potential. There are considerable technical challenges to overcome to make this a workable reality.
Only a small percentage of all trees planted need to originate from ancient sources, enough to ensure survivorship to the following generation. However, given the scale of government policy ambition for trees this would still result in large numbers being required. We firmly believe that this is best achieved through partnership working, especially in relation to volunteer and community tree nurseries. Our aim is to augment existing efforts, not to compete with them.
We have established the ATN as a Community Interest Company in the hope of fostering this collaborative approach to working. We are similarly hopeful that it will help to focus attention on the wider role that ancient trees have in delivering benefits to human society and the wildlife that we coexist with.
Download the full white paper here