Supporting our Wildlife and Woodland

Preserving our local wildlife and the woodland in which it lives is a driving ethos behind Oxford Eco Garden. Our ancient woodland has been a constant companion on this island for time immemorial, as long as humans have walked in Britain they have foraged, played, lived and mythologised these eternal places. The virtues of the woodland are extolled in all seasons from the crisp white man of winter to the vibrant green of summer, there is no time that is not without some merit. British wildlife largely relies on our woodlands either directly or through the natural ecosystem. The wildlife creates an active and vigorous community bringing life to an otherwise stayed beauty. Our countryside has developed under the slow aegis of time for millennia creating a tapestry unmatched by all man’s endeavours. It is difficult to imagine our countryside without these spaces of bucolic splendour, but they are under threat and it is a real possibility that the near future may bring this strange prospect into reality. Modern development, industrialised farming and deforestation are threatening to destroy a once ubiquitous sanctuary, but we can all help in stopping this unsealed fate. Our local woodlands can be saved and preserved through local help and advocacy, as individuals we need to act together to retain our heritage for the generations after us. Oxford Eco Garden works with and alongside our beautiful land in order to create an environment where woodland, wildlife and humanity can thrive together. We recognise that our wildlife and woodland cannot exist apart but are completed together and thus we seek to preserve both natural fauna and the flora on which they rely. 
Native woodland may seem merely an homogeneous mass of leafy confusion but amongst their younger brethren veteran and ancient trees stand in loft grandeur. These are trees that are at least 500 or 1000 years old respectively which have somehow managed to weather the vicissitudes of time to grace our woods today. A tree, especially one of this age, is not simply a barked shrub but is the home of interlocking ecosystems and communities. From the nimble-footed squirrel to the song of the nesting thrush an ancient tree is a veritable commune of sounds and sights. Ancient trees also host an invisible community of fungi and insects that live within those hollowed trunks. Our ancient and veteran trees are historical landmarks across our beautiful landscape; they represent our famous heritage and history. This is why The Oxford Eco Garden works with the Woodland Trust to record and verify trees of note and stature. Verified ancient and veteran trees can lead to areas given a legal status which prevents them from being cut down  for development and more importantly allows the melody of nature to continue uninterrupted for many more centuries. 
Preserving the diversity of the trees present in our woodland is crucial to maintaining the various habitats they offer. Each species of tree cultivates its own unique character and has its own special relationship with the woodland around it. Ecological variation is crucial for maintaining a healthy woodland environment and providing the different types of habitats that different animals require. If only one type of tree reigned supreme then our animals would suffer, and our fauna would wither. Not only is this ecologically beneficial but it is vital to conserving the charm and magic of the British wood. The majesty of the horse chestnut does not compare to the stately manor of an oak nor to the macabre eves of a yew,yet all have their place and value. That is why we must protect our trees.