The Tree Council is campaigning for greater protection for the UK’s ancient trees. The move comes after a number of historic trees have been felled.
Last month (July 2025), two men from Cumbria (Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers) were sentenced to four years and three months in prison for illegally cutting down the iconic Sycamore Gap tree in Northumberland. In May 2025 both men had been convicted of two counts of criminal damage.
In a statement, The Tree Council said: “We are pleased the legal system responded and secured a conviction for the mindless destruction of the iconic Sycamore Gap tree – but what we have lost, we will never get back.
“This is a symbolic case that will set a clear marker for the future. The strong custodial sentence sends the right message.
“Our trees are a precious resource with a lifespan that exceeds our own – we are their custodians. This case shows they are all vulnerable and need and deserve our support and protection.”
Action needed to protect our ancient trees
In an effort to provide greater “protections and support for our socially, culturally and environmentally important trees”, the Tree Council has collaborated with Defra, Forest Research and other partners to publish a report to highlight the legal gaps.
While the nation’s ancient trees are known for possessing exceptional and irreplaceable value to our environment and heritage, they continue to be lost and damaged. The report aims to explore how the UK can better protect and manage these ancient trees and to shape future policy development and research.
The report, entitled Valuing and Protecting Important Trees Outside Woodlands, sets out a definition of an ‘important tree’. While these trees can be classified under existing terminology, such as ancient, veteran, heritage, champion and notable trees, there are other trees that do not fit within these classifications and are highly valued for other reasons.
What were the report’s findings and recommendations
The Tree Council worked alongside Forest Research, Defra and other agencies that own and manage important trees, such as local authorities, to collect evidence and key insights. Consultations took place with experts from nearly 50 organisations, including NGOs, government agencies, landowners, industry bodies, tree volunteers and arboricultual professionals.
The research involved assessing existing protections and systems designed to protect the country’s most important trees. For example, other countries have different approaches to tree protection. In Portugal, Italy and Poland, ancient trees are classified and protected through national laws and local regulations, with Italy designating more than 4,200 Monumental Trees and Poland listing 8,500 trees as Green Monuments.
The report makes the following recommendations:
- 12-month period to engage stakeholders to better protect important trees
- Action plan for important trees
- Improving legal protections
- Public and private funding framework to support owners and managers
- Enhancing data on current and future important trees
- Appoint Special Representatives for important trees at political level
- Positive engagement and exploring international knowledge exchange
- Improving skills and capacity for management and protection of important trees.
The Tree Council added: “We urge the Government to act on The Tree Council recommendations, and not wait for another well-loved, irreplaceable tree to be lost forever.”
Read the full report: Valuing and Protecting Important Trees Outside Woodlands.
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