Wood pasture is a landscape of scattered trees in a grassland or heathland setting. It’s a habitat fashioned by generations of rural people grazing livestock and maintaining trees. Trees at these sites are often many centuries old. They often host long-established communities of fungi, lichens and specialist insects, and are also home to bats, birds and other wildlife.
This booklet introduces you to this fascinating habitat. It explains how wood pasture came into being, its historical and cultural importance, and its value as a habitat for wildlife. Learn about how wood pasture sites are managed, the current threats and what restoration involves.
You’ll also find a list of some of the most iconic veteran trees in Scotland. Visit these sites and be inspired by an old cultural landscape that cannot be replicated.
Pages: 25
Published: 2004
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