This week I took my niece (4) to the great Tortworth Chestnut, (Castanea sativa) in South Gloucestershire, on a leaf identification adventure.

I last visited this 30 years ago and its still exactly the same!

The exact age of the tree is unknown with two accounts of its existence in 1664 and 1712 dating it at over 800 years old.

The tree was known as “the Old Chestnut of Tortworth” in 1150, suggesting it is over 1,000 years old.

More romantically, a legend recounts that the tree sprang from a nut planted in 800 AD during the reign of King Egbert.

When planting trees, do we do this for instant gratification or tick box satisfaction?
Often may trees which are planted, are done so in hast, without any thought on how and if they will survive the next 3-5 years let alone 1000s!

Do we need a to take a branch out of Capability Browns tree and look to the future, not just for BNG satisfaction?

Our natural work in some places is falling a part, yet there is evidence it can withstand with the right protection and conditions.