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Wildlife
- Close
- - We protect wildlife in Britain and around the world by bringing our most threatened species back from the brink of extinction. We do this through ground-breaking research, practical conservation and education, all with the help of our supporters.
Wild places
- Close
- - Some habitats contain such a richness of life that we need to protect them at all odds. We are working to preserve ancient woodlands, orchards and wood pastures and parklands, as well as the countless species they support.
What we do
- Close
- - Everything we do is based on scientific evidence. We gather this through surveys, which you can take part in, and by awarding research grants to the most inspiring scientists worldwide. This evidence guides our conservation efforts and is shared through our events and publications.
Who we are
- Close
- - People’s Trust for Endangered Species was set up in 1977 to save our wildlife. We are governed by a board of volunteer trustees and our team of staff are passionate about protecting endangered species and places.
Success stories
- Close
- - We strive to bring our most threatened species in the UK and around the world back from the brink of extinction. Our successes come from ground-breaking research, practical conservation and education, all with the help of our supporters.
Get involved
- Close
- - There are so many ways you can help save endangered species. Fancy taking part in a survey, joining us on a wildlife event or becoming a regular supporter?
Shop
- Close
- - Support our work in our shop with a range of charity gifts, home-ware, cards and more. 100% of the profits go directly to help wildlife both in the UK an overseas.
Donate
- Close
- - There is nothing natural about the alarming rate at which we are losing animals and their homes. It is absolutely avoidable. We can stop the loss of our wildlife – but we need your support. You can act now by choosing to give to our cause. Thank you.

Home // Key species and habitats // Wood Pasture and Parkland // Wood Pasture Wildlife

Wood Pasture Wildlife

Dead wood in a veteran tree. Moccas Park SSSI. Herefordshire Copyright Natural England. Peter Wakely

"‘10,000 oaks of 100 years old are not a substitute for one 500 year old oak’

Oliver Rackham, conservation author and historian

The two main components of a wood pasture or parkland site are veteran trees and an open, preferably grazed, ground layer. When discussing their value as a habitat, it can be easy to simply talk about the veteran trees, widely known for hosting an incredible array of species. Whilst this is true, these trees are the jewel in the crown of this habitat, it doesn’t do justice to the value added by the matrix, the surrounding land that these grand old trees find themselves in.

This web page will give a brief introduction to some of the main reasons why wood pasture and parkland is so valuable for wildlife. It will start off with a taste of ancient and veteran tree ecology. Then it will cover the wider aspects of the wood pasture habitat.

Wood Pasture Wildlife

Ancient and Veteran Trees

Wood Pasture Specific Ecology

Continuity