Ash dieback. Winter storms. Works to the highway. Our landmark trees are under increasing threat. Many of Bowland’s beautiful old trees planted over two hundred years ago are nearing the end of their lives and in order to safeguard the unique character of the Bowland landscape, Champion Bowland and the Forest of Bowland AONB Partnership are acting now to ensure successor trees are ready.
These 'Landmark Trees' could be found in hedgerows, parkland, farmland or on a village green and may be native and non-native species. Wherever they are, they are important to people as well as to the landscape and provide a living link to the 'forest' of Bowland in the AONB's name.
Champion Bowland is looking for help from the public and corporate sponsors to identify suitable trees and plan for replacements to be established before their predecessors succumb to old age. Participating businesses can nominate Landmark Trees in their neighbourhood and also opt to plant and safeguard new trees.
We’re also asking local people to nominate prominent trees that are important to them and inviting local businesses to donate the funds to plant their successors. By supporting this scheme, sponsors are making an investment that will pay dividends for decades to come.
Bowland AONB development and funding officer Robin Gray explained the thinking behind the scheme: “Veteran trees are an essential element of the ancient Forest of Bowland. Often centuries old, these venerable old oaks, beeches, sycamores and ashes are as rooted in the landscape as the fells and the rivers that flow between them.
“But these local landmarks won’t last forever. We’ve already lost dozens of these distinctive trees to damaging storms and some of our native species are threatened by diseases such as ash dieback (chalara). The Landmark Trees scheme is our way of planning a woodland succession for the Forest of Bowland and ensuring the next generation of mature trees are already established before their forbears are lost through old age, disease or storm damage.”
"It's been great working with Downham Estate and the Assheton Arms and we're also very grateful for support from Ribble Valley Borough Council in helping to get this first project off the ground."
The Seafood Pub Company – owners of the Assheton Arms in Downham – was the first official sponsor of the Landmark Trees initiative. The company contributed to the planting of a field maple in the centre of the village to replace a wonderful old beech tree in the grounds of Downham Hall, which was lost in the ‘Beast from the East’ storm last year.
Managing director of the Seafood Pub Company Jocelyn Neve said: “It’s wonderful to be the launch sponsor of Champion Bowland’s Landmark Trees initiative. At the Seafood Pub Company, we’ve always believed in investing for the long term and when it comes to preserving the natural environment, we are proud to be planting the next generation of the Forest of Bowland’s Landmark Trees.
“You can see this lovely young field maple from the Assheton Arms’ terrace and we are looking forward to watching this wonderful addition to Downham’s floral landscape burst into leaf. It will also put on a spectacular show in the autumn as the foliage turns a golden yellow.”
Lord and Lady Clitheroe joined members of Champion Bowland to plant a tree in the centre of Downham to launch Champion Bowland's Landmark Trees initiative.
Lord Clitheroe said: “These ancient trees are such an important feature in the character of the village. We lost the majestic Trafalgar Beech – planted by William to commemorate the famous naval battle in 1805 – to the ‘Beast from the East’ last year, so it’s wonderful that Champion Bowland and the Seafood Pub Company have committed to invest in planting the next generation of landmark trees on the Downham Estate.”
*If you would like to nominate a prominent tree in your area for the Landmark Trees initiative, please contact Sandra Silk at the Forest of Bowland AONB Office on 01200 448000. Potential sponsors can also get in touch with Sandra for an informal chat about the scheme.
Weeping Ash : Newton in Bowland - Ash dieback is a threat to many of our woodland and veteran trees. Image : Barnaby Wylder/Forestry Commission
