tree age survey - methodology?

[woodsworks]

I'm volunteering with the survey group at a national trust property. As there is currently little or no baseline data for the site, and surveys of invertebrates and small mammals will take several years to become useful I had the idea of doing an age survey of the trees.

 

I've already asked the site management to let me know of any trees that come down in the wind, or have limbs removed so that I can have a look at the rings. I'm sure there must be some guidance on, for example, what age might be estimated for a tree of species x, in dense woodland/open field, with a given DBH. Can anyone suggest any existing methodology or useful books/websites?

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

I'm volunteering with the survey group at a national trust property. As there is currently little or no baseline data for the site, and surveys of invertebrates and small mammals will take several years to become useful I had the idea of doing an age survey of the trees.

 

I've already asked the site management to let me know of any trees that come down in the wind, or have limbs removed so that I can have a look at the rings. I'm sure there must be some guidance on, for example, what age might be estimated for a tree of species x, in dense woodland/open field, with a given DBH. Can anyone suggest any existing methodology or useful books/websites?

 

 

I would strongly urge to contact a dendrochronologist for accurate and detailed information, heres a link I found with some seeking, if this lead does not put you on the right path I have a few contacts i could ask if its o.k to pass on your mail to:thumbup1:

Welcome to the Ultimate Tree-Ring Web Pages!

[Callum]

Hi

 

The Forestry Commission developed a method for estimating the age of veteran trees. See the link below.

 

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/pdf/fcin12.pdf/$FILE/fcin12.pdf

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

good info Callum, shall have a better read of that later

[woodsworks]

Thanks - good info. My initial idea was that I would try to work out the demographics of the tree population, to determine whether the species mix had changed or was likely to in the future but the resources I've found so far seem to focus on individual veteran and champion trees, perhaps due to practical difficulties with a wider population study. I will contact a dendrochronologist (alongside pursuing a veteran survey) but if anyone knows of someone in particular please do point me to them, or them to me.

 

The site in question is Standen estate in West Sussex, in case anyone knows it.

 

Thanks

Nick J

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

woodland is always changing, what mix of species do you have?

[woodsworks]

Sorry it's been a while since my last post, I now have a laptop that actually works - on the internet too! I don't really know what we have most of, but I have seen Oak, Ash (maybe not for much longer), Hazel, Holly, Birch and even a few presumably planted Beech along the driveways. I haven't yet found any unusuals, apart from exotics planted in the days when the place was a country manor for Mr Beale (the wealthy London solicitor who had the place built in 18-something). Apart from that I don't really know what's there hence wanting to do a survey.

[Callum]

Hi,

 

Why don't you classify the trees using an age category rather than trying to estimate their actual age in years e.g. 'newly planted', 'young', 'early mature', 'mature', 'over mature', and 'veteran'.

 

You can use the information in the same way to help when you're drawing up a management plan.

 

There is an excellent book from the Forestry Commission 'Managing Native Broadleaved Woodland' it has loads of info on surveying, age structures etc.

 

All the best

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

Hi,

 

Why don't you classify the trees using an age category rather than trying to estimate their actual age in years e.g. 'newly planted', 'young', 'early mature', 'mature', 'over mature', and 'veteran'.

 

You can use the information in the same way to help when you're drawing up a management plan.

 

There is an excellent book from the Forestry Commission 'Managing Native Broadleaved Woodland' it has loads of info on surveying, age structures etc.

 

All the best

 

 

Thats a good reply, why didnt i think ofit!

[fagus]

Hunt and ask around for any planting records for the Estate