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The tree above stood in an empty field, in what had once been the yard of a small home. Parts of the old foundation remained at the back of the lot. Remnants of a family’s garden around the tree could still be found; ground covers and small perennials persevered in the weedy grass, having survived decades of neglect.
When standing at the back of the lot, on the ancient stone threshold, it is not difficult to drift back through time and imagine yourself as a young farmer, or a young housewife. You are looking out into your front yard, admiring the garden and a young, vigorous tree.
The tree was photographed December 24, 2021; shortly after we photographed it the tree was removed. It had not presented a risk to people, property, powerlines, or traffic. It had, however, provided a home to a vast community of insects, plants, fungi, lichens, birds, microbes, and who knows what else? Like all living things from the moment of birth, it was in the process of returning to the soil from which it came.
A new book by ISA Certified Arborist Basil Camu explains why his company won’t cut down dead trees. But before we learn about Basil’s book, let’s learn about the difference between ancient and veteran trees.
what’s the difference between an ancient and a veteran tree?
The definitions here are provided by the Ancient Tree Forum.
How old is an ancient tree?
The exact age at which you’d call a tree ancient depends on the species of tree and other factors including the type of site where it’s growing. A birch tree could be considered as ancient at 150 years old, for example, but an oak tree would not be thought of as ancient until it’s at least 400 years old. Yew trees can live for thousands of years, so are not defined as ancient until they are 800 years old. It is often difficult to estimate how old an ancient tree is, but one method that is used, alongside considering the ancient characteristics, is to measure the girth of the trunk.
What does an ancient tree look like?
Characteristics of an ancient tree depend on the species, and on factors such as the site and conditions under which they have grown. However, they have three key features:
- A low, fat and squat shape – because the crown has retrenched (reduced in size) through age.
- A wide trunk compared with others of the same species
- Hollowing of the trunk (not always visible)
What is a veteran tree?
Unlike an ancient tree, a veteran tree can be any age, but it is a tree which shows ancient characteristics such as those above. These may not just be due to age, but could result from natural damage, management, or the tree’s environment. Ancient trees are all veterans, but not all veterans are ancient.
From wasteland to wonder
The lengthy newspaper article drew our attention: Why One Man Runs a Tree Service That Won’t Cut Down Dead Trees.1
That doesn’t sound normal.
In 2009 a young man teamed up with his father to reinvigorate their tree service company. Basil brought his youthful energy to the task, but he also had novel ideas. He wanted to work with trees and earn a living for his family. But there’s more: Basil wants to provide a living for his employees, and to nourish the earth and his community. All this while he tries to subtly alter attitudes about trees.
His optimistic new book2 is beautifully written and produced. It includes the necessary details on tree care, but also more personal sections on natural systems and what individuals can do to help heal the earth. It also includes essays on how our negligence is damaging the earth.
Basil’s book is an expression of wonder and gratitude, and this book is his attempt to convey that sense of wonder to his readers. In the moving “Note of Gratitude” that ends the book, Basil writes
Last and most certainly not least, I am grateful beyond measure for the blink of an eye we call being alive. That fact that I see, breathe, smell, touch, experience, and love is mindmelting.
I know it will be gone sooner than I would like. But I’m going to soak it up while I can by doing my best to practice mindfulness and to care for this marvelous, pale blue dot we call home.
notes:
- Why One Man Runs a Tree Service That Won’t Cut Down Dead Trees; by Margaret Roach, NY Times, May 8, 2024
- From Wasteland to Wonder is available from Basil’s company website, Leaf & Limb. The ebook is available as a free download. A modestly-priced hardcover is available for the cost of printing and shipping.
additional references:
What the World Will Lose if Ancient Trees Die Out; by Jared Farmer, NY Times, Oct 20, 2022
It Costs Nothing to Leave Our Trees as They Are; by Carol King, NY Times, Aug 25, 2022
Elderflora, A Modern History of Ancient Trees: by Jared Farmer
Veteran Trees, A Guide to Risk and Responsibility; English Nature
Trees, A Lifespan Approach, by Dirk Dujesiefken, Neville Fay, Jan-Willem de Groot, Nigel de Berker; 132 pages, download from the Ancient Tree Forum
Tree People of Walla Walla 