AN initiative is being promoted to identify and help maintain Hertfordshire's oldest and most historically valuable trees.

The Veteran Trees Initiative (VTI) has been introduced to try to encourage more people to take an interest in the environment as well as build up data on the county's trees.

It was prompted by the decision to include the Panshanger Great Oak in Hertingfordbury, near Welwyn Garden City, in a list of 50 of Britain's great trees in celebration of the Queen's Golden Jubilee.

The initiative is run by the Herts Biological Record Centre and has support from the University of Hertfordshire and the Countryside Management Service and English Nature.

Although data has been collected over the past few years, the records centre is hoping to step up its bid to get more people involved and more trees identified in the jubilee year.

So far, more than 2,000 old trees across Hertfordshire have been identified, including ones in Garden Close, St Albans, and several in Brocket Park, Lemsford.

They were identified and added to the list thanks to help from members of the public, but the centre is urging others to join in finding the last few across the county so that as many of Hertfordshire's trees as possible will be identified.

The long-term aim of the survey is to produce a database that not only lists the trees but also gives details of them, including wildlife or historical associations. The data will also be used to help with future management and conservation of trees in the county.

One of the biggest contributions that old trees make to the environment is providing shelter for an array of wildlife in their hollow trunks, especially bats, squirrels, owls and woodpeckers. Insect and flora communities are also able to thrive in the shelter offered by old tree trunks.

Ms Liz Anderson of the Hertfordshire Biological Record Centre hopes more people will be keen to take part in the initiative.

She said: "You may know of a tree that you pass on weekend walks, perhaps one in a churchyard or even in your own garden.

"A survey form is available from the records centre and we are asking for information to be sent to us by the end of September so that we can collate the data and work on the production of a final report for the end of the year."

The Countryside Management Service is also keen to get more people involved and can provide training for people wanting to learn more about tree identification.

A spokesman said: "It is a county-wide initiative and in the past we have provided training for volunteers, which we will do again if there are people in St Albans who are interested."

For more information and a survey form telephone 01992 555220.

June 11, 2002 10:00