Sussex Woodland Restoration Project Exceeds Tree-Recording Expectations

The Lost Woods project, an initiative aimed at restoring ancient woodlands in Sussex, has reached a significant milestone by recording over 5,500 trees. Volunteers have been actively documenting ancient, veteran, and notable trees across a 121-square-mile area between Lewes and Storrington since March 2024.

Bob Epsom, outreach adviser for the Lost Woods project, stated that the current count of 5,570 trees is more than anticipated and marks a key achievement for the initiative. "When we look at the map of it, we can see the new clusters of trees being added...that's where the volunteers have been active," Epsom said.

The project is a collaborative effort involving four charities: Woodland Trust, Action in Rural Sussex, Sussex Wildlife Trust, and Small Woods Association. Funding for the work is provided by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. This tree-recording effort is part of a broader restoration program encompassing 19 individual projects.

Approximately 20 volunteers are assigned a one-square-kilometer area to survey. Once their findings are verified, the trees are added to the Ancient Tree Inventory, a long-standing registry of the UK's oldest and most significant trees. The volunteers aim to identify and record all ancient and veteran trees within the project's designated zone by next year. Epsom noted that there is still a substantial area to cover.

Of the trees recorded so far, 348 are classified as ancient, representing the final stage of their life cycle. An additional 2,467 are categorized as notable, meaning they are mature trees that are large relative to their surroundings. The largest group, with 2,743 trees, are classified as veteran trees, which exhibit some characteristics of ancient trees while still being survivors.

Epsom emphasized the importance of these trees, stating they are "very important for the landscape, (and) very important for biodiversity" due to their role in supporting various fungi and wildlife. He explained that the mapping process is the initial step in a larger objective: to ensure these trees are recognized, cared for, and protected for the benefit of wildlife and communities in the future.