Britain’s ancient trees, those that have survived far longer than their conspecifics, are a dwindling resource of immense ecological and heritage significance. While an individual’s persistence is almost certainly aided by a dose of good luck, it is also possible that good genes have played a role.
The UK hosts a globally important population of ancient trees that are unlikely to be reproducing in meaningful numbers by themselves. Nick Atkinson and Helen Atkinson consider the good genes and luck that ensure the survival of Ancient trees and outline the neglected importance of their seed collection.