Yew Tree Conservation project

The ancient yew tree grove at Newlands Corner has been showing signs of deterioration in recent years.  The oldest trees are known to be at least 1,000 years old, but these nationally important trees are showing signs of dieback due to complex reasons including compaction to the soil around their roots from footfall.  The boardwalk project was identified in 2020/21 through partners involved in the national Yew Tree Decline working group as a solution to minimise further damage and the project has been the subject of a great deal of research and advice from experts in ancient tree management.

The funding for the boardwalk provided the timber from elsewhere on the estate, which was milled locally, and the board walk was then hand built with great care.  This project has been done with the aims of both protecting these wonderful trees and at the same time giving people the opportunity to visit them and learn about the importance of protecting them.  The project gives direct access to three of the trees, offering a high quality experience without trampling the soil around them.  Other work funded at this location has included installation of dead hedging around adjacent areas to encourage visitors to stick only to the main paths (protecting many other trees) and providing clear information about the value of these trees, for nature, for the landscape and for history and culture.

Project site information

Ancient Tree Forum article