Guided walk provides introduction to park’s tree conservation initiative

The free guided walk at 2pm on May 14 takes in the medieval deer park that surrounds the stately home and the trees, some of which are more than half a millennium old.

Former Forestry Commission wildlife officer Brian Walker will lead the walk and explain what is being done to ensure the future survival of these remarkable trees.

The walk will take in parts of the Duncombe Estate which do not usually have public access and is being organised as part of series of “hidden gem” walks and talks by the Lime and Ice Project.

The project was awarded just under £500,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund in 2008 to provide new access, interpretation and conservation schemes in the southwest corner of the North York Moors National Park and the northern part of the Howardian Hills.

Famed for its heather moorland, the North York Moors National Park also has one of the largest concentrations of veteran and ancient trees in northern England. Many of these trees can be found at Duncombe Park, which became a National Nature Reserve in 1994.

Jennifer Smith, Lime and Ice project officer, said: “These wise old veterans are all that remain of the ‘wild wood’ that would have covered much of the country in the 16th century. As well as being fascinating in their own right, they also provide a home for wood-feeding insects such as beetles and an array of different birds.”

Places on the walk are limited so people should book by calling 01439 772738.