Category: Research/collaboration projects

August 14, 2023 Research/collaboration projects

Research into the apparent widespread deterioration in physiological condition of yew trees in the southeast of England (and possibly further afield)

Research into the apparent widespread deterioration in physiological condition of yew trees in the southeast of England (and possibly further afield)

Treecosystems has been instrumental in setting up and leading a research consortium looking into the apparent serious deterioration of yew trees of all age groups over the last 10-15 years at many sites in the southeast, up into the midlands, and possibly also further afield.

The consortium represents a collaboration between the owners of the three most significant populations of AVT yews in the UK: Newlands Corner/Merrow Downs in Guildford (Albury Estate/Guildford Borough Council), Great Yews near Salisbury (Longford Estate) and Kingley Vale in West Sussex (Natural England), and their associated yew expert advisors. Other consortium members include academic lead Myerscough University College, the Arboricultural Association and other members of the Ancient Yew Group, including expert dendrochronologist Toby Hindson.

The consortium is currently carrying out a pilot project at Newlands Corner/Merrow Downs. This pilot is trialling novel, state of the art equipment for continuous measurement of tree stress and growth rates over time, whilst at the same time amassing a large dataset for subsequent evaluation.

Next the group plans to set up some ‘Case Funded’ PhD’s in collaboration with an industry partner, to build upon the work of the pilot project and investigate further the causes of yew tree stress and, crucially, what treatments can best be used to improve the prognosis for affected trees and improve yew tree and soil vitality.

See also: Declining Yew Trees Feature

August 14, 2023 Research/collaboration projects

The Yew Tree Project – Newlands Corner, Merrow Downs, Surrey

The Yew Tree Project - Newlands Corner, Merrow Downs, Surrey

Treecosystems played a key role in initiating, designing and participating in the execution of a project to manage visitor pressure and the resulting soil compaction damage around the key ancient yew tree population at Newlands Corner. The project was a collaboration between Treecosystems, the Albury Estate [the landowner], the Surrey Hills AONB and Surrey County Council, with several other project partners including Natural England, The Tree Council, the Ancient Yew Group, Guildford Borough Council, Surrey Choices, The Surrey Coalition of Disabled People and the Forest Bathing Institute.

The project involved installing measures such as ‘dead hedging’ and educational interpretation designed to encourage people to stick to the main paths, as well as a boardwalk providing sustainable access to three of the oldest yew trees at the site. The project has been generally very well received locally, and so far early indications are that the measures put in place appear to be working well. We will continue to monitor the success of the scheme in improving tree and soil health through soil testing and site and tree observations.