We underestimate the elderly at our peril. They may look gnarly and a little unkempt, but Britain’s ancient woodlands are our richest terrestrial habitat, home to more threatened species than any other. They’re also vital in tackling the climate crisis – storing an estimated 77m tonnes of carbon.
Now more than ever is the time for us to get our boots on and get to know, love and protect these beautiful habitats. We’ve lost more than half of our ancient woodlands since the Industrial Revolution, and the ones that remain are weather-beaten, worn and in need of some support. This is why the Woodland Trust is on a mission to revive more than 34,000 hectares of damaged woodlands back to their former glory. Working with donors and members of the public, the UK’s biggest woodland conservation charity is planting millions of trees and reviving these damaged but magical environments.
Plans are already under way at Fingle Woods in Dartmoor’s Teign Valley, south-west England. The Woodland Trust and National Trust worked together and bought the site – a mixture of ancient, broadleaf and upland wood habitats – in 2014, and have been restoring it ever since.
At first, the woodland was dark and overcrowded. Many of the native broadleaves had been felled in the early 20th century, replanted with conifers to meet demand for timber. These giants cloaked precious oaks and beeches in shadow and caused surrounding fora and fauna to decline.
By carefully clearing the interlopers, the Woodland Trust team has restored light and life. Sleepy old oaks now sprout fresh shoots, while wildflowers including daffodils, primroses and foxgloves carpet the forest floor. Standing among these living monuments today, you might hear the rap of a lesser spotted woodpecker or spot the marigold flash of an orange-tip butterfly. Here are seven species that are flourishing at Fingle Woods, thanks to the work of the Woodland Trust.
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