This spring sees the completion of a three-month project at Charlecote Park to plant nearly 800 new whips (young trees and hedgerow saplings) and look after some of the most ancient trees at the National Trust property.

The regeneration project comes as an ancient oak tree - a favourite of many of the visitors, volunteers and staff - began to decline.

"The Boundary Oak is a true veteran estimated to be over 300 years old," explains Paul Smith, lead ranger, "but it's been in decline for some time. 

"Unfortunately, this much-loved tree came to the end of its long life last year, possibly due to the extreme heat, flooding or other factors. 

"Our annual tree surveys picked up its steady decline, so we took action a few years back to save some of the acorns. From these acorns, four strong, young saplings are being nurtured to continue the Boundary Oak's lineage."   

Last year, the team at Charlecote undertook several major conservation and improvement projects, including the resurfacing of the car park. Since then, they have planted 27 native trees in the carpark, along with 59 hawthorns and 55 hazels as part of their hedge planting scheme. 

Joy Margerum taking cuttings from Lime Avenue (image by Jana Eastwood)

"We originally had to remove 38 trees which were either non-native species or had suffered significant root damage due to soil compaction. We'll be planting more trees and hedges this autumn to make sure we replace everything that had to come out," Paul explains. 

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Another 600 young trees have also been planted in the parkland. 

The saplings, which are a mix of holly, hawthorn, viburnum, and buckthorn, have been planted as in an area that's not accessible to the public, but is a key area for conservation work and a haven for wildlife, including Charlecote's herd of fallow deer. 

The historic Lime Avenue in West Park has also been a focal point for preserving the historic landscape at Charlecote. 

"This avenue of limes used to be the original road through to Wellesbourne and Stratford with some of the trees dating back to the 18th Century," explains Joy Margerum, area ranger.

"We took cuttings from the original lime trees and sent them to the National Trust Plant Conservation Centre for propagation. 

"We've planted 15 of the propagated trees in Lime Avenue to fill the gaps between those that have been in decline and nine more  have been planted across the parkland to provide shelter and homes for wildlife." 

To find out more about the conservation work at Charlecote visit the website.

Charlecote Ranger team planting trees (image by Jana Eastwood)

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