Heritage trees are important parts of Kent’s cherished landscape, but their future is threatened because of poor public awareness, insufficient protection and unsympathetic management.

Described as the ‘stately homes of the natural environment’, heritage trees can be ancient trees that are remarkably old for their species, rare trees or trees with wider heritage or cultural values. They are irreplaceable trees often recognised for their biological, archaeological, historical and cultural significance. 

South East England has the highest proportion of ancient trees in Western Europe but records of their existence are patchy and incomplete. With growing pressure for new homes and new infrastructure in Kent, the need to identify, survey, conserve and protect the county’s heritage trees has become increasingly urgent.

Learning from their experience of an earlier smaller project, the Trust for Conservation Volunteers (TCV) developed Kent Heritage Trees as a county-wide programme. The five-year programme started in 2011 and aims to demonstrate how, through focusing on one key heritage feature within the wider landscape, people can be encouraged to discover more about their local identity, culture and sense of place while reconnecting with nature.

The project is due to complete in 2016.