The real value of our woods T
here is something especially peaceful about walking in woods surrounded by trees and I like to think that humans have always enjoyed spending time in woodlands and have had a real affinity with trees beyond their economic value. But it is only relatively recently that we have learnt the real value of trees in helping to mitigate climate change by their ability to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Trees, especially those which are native to Britain, also provide shelter and food for numerous insects, birds and mammals and even other plants such as mosses and lichens and so are a valuable factor in conserving the biodiversity of our countryside. Some may find it surprising to learn that compared with the rest of Europe, the UK has a relatively low tree cover of 13%, the average for Europe being 35%. Countryfile viewers will know of Plant Britain, the initiative to plant 750,000 trees across the country in just two years; you can even record just one new tree in your garden on an interactive map on the Countryfile website which is tracking the progress of the project. There are also many organisations such as the Woodland Trust and the Wildlife Trusts which have supported and
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promoted tree planting for many years. Most of these young trees will take quite a few years to come to maturity and it will take even more years to establish a thriving wood with its attendant biodiversity. Recent research has revealed that individual trees are connected by an underground fungal network providing vital nutrients and amazingly it is even thought that trees can communicate and ‘warn’ each other about impending danger from pests and diseases. Travelling around West Devon it is difficult to ignore the prevalence and devastating effect of ash dieback which is just one of the diseases that can affect our native trees. And so, although it is very important to promote the planting of new trees, we must not forget to value and wherever possible conserve our existing trees and woods. Wistman’s Wood, just north of Two Bridges on Dartmoor, is a
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