Wytham Woods launches "Prime Tree" initiative to study 350-year-old oak

Wytham Woods, one of the UK's most scientifically studied woodlands, will unveil an exciting new project in April: the "Prime Tree" initiative. This will focus on a remarkable 350-year-old oak, as featured in the BBC Four documentary Oak Tree: Nature's Greatest Survivor.

The project aims to track the ancient oak season to season providing crucial insights into how mature trees respond to climate change. Researchers will monitor its growth, the health of its canopy, and the wealth of wildlife that depends on it. The tree will serve as a living laboratory, linking ongoing ecological research across Wytham Woods to the wider scientific community and the public.

To gather data, the Woods team will equip the tree with monitoring technology. This will include a weather station to record local climate conditions, and an automated dendrometer to track the trunk's gradual increase in girth. Additionally, a soil moisture meter will measure how the tree is adapting to changing rainfall patterns, and particularly to increasingly common droughts.

The Prime Tree initiative will explore the oak's role in the woodland ecosystem. The project will be closely tied to ongoing research on winter moth caterpillars, which form the main food source for the Woods' great and blue tits - among the most-researched bird population in the world. By examining how the tree's condition affects blue and great tits, researchers hope to learn more about how climate change is influencing wildlife.

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Wytham Woods has long been at the forefront of ecological research, and this project builds on decades of scientific study. By focusing on a single, well-documented tree, it will offer a unique, detailed perspective on the long-term effects of environmental change, and ultimately support efforts to conserve the natural environment.

From April onwards, the public can follow the Prime Tree on social media. These posts will share findings from the project, behind-the-scenes insights from researchers, and spectacular visuals of the tree throughout the seasons.
For more information and updates on how the project is progressing, please follow Wytham Woods on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.