History

Archaeological features

Because they have been continuously wooded for at least 400 years, ancient woods are relatively undisturbed, and are therefore often treasure troves of archaeological and historical information. Because their soils have not been subjected to modern farming techniques, earthworks and other remains may be preserved better in ancient woods than in the surrounding landscape.

Many of the woods on the inventory of ancient and long-established woodland contain features such as raths (ring-forts) or souterrains (underground passages). Many also have boundary banks, as well as internal walls and banks that in some cases may be the remains of old field systems. During production of the inventory, surveyors recorded these features, but further research is needed to find out their origins and significance.

Ancient trees

Old woods may also contain ancient and veteran trees. Ancient trees are those that have reached the final stage of their lives. They are rich in dead and decaying wood and form a habitat in their own right for a whole range of wildlife, including insects that rely on dead or rotting wood for part of their life cycle as well as the many fungi that contribute to the decay process.

Old trees can tell us a lot about the history of the landscape. Ancient coppice stools, like those seen at Glenarm, indicate past woodland management practices, and trees that have been pollarded may indicate an area that was used as wood pasture. Many of the best places to see ancient trees in Northern Ireland are the parkland areas that surround big houses, as at Florence Court and Castle Coole, Co Fermanagh.

The Ancient Tree Hunt project aims to record even more information about ancient trees in Northern Ireland.