Back to photostream

Ancient Hornbeam Grove

This stand of Hornbeam trees are at the front of Hatfiled Forest near the car park, and are over 450 years old. The telltale identifying feature of old Hornbeam trees are the sinuous roots and fluted "columns" around the trunk. Their cousin the Beech tree does not have these. This grove has been maintained for the past few hundred years by rangers, foresters, and farmers through coppicing and pollarading the trees. This protects the tree and makes it stronger over the centuries.

 

 

 

Proceeds from the sale of this photograph will be donated to the National Trust on behalf of Hatfield Forest.

3,214 views
10 faves
13 comments
Uploaded on January 29, 2012
Taken on September 23, 2007