Ancient Tree Forum

Vinni, Estonia – this is an area of oaks that are around 300 to 400 years old. This site is excellent for decaying wood fungi. View images		There are some fantastic sites near the town of Rakvere, east of Tallinn. The sites are located in the Lääne Viruma region and are wonderful examples of wooded meadows and pastures. The sites have been identified in the Woodland Key Habitat Inventory which has just been completed across the whole country, which is a fantastic achievement. Some of the sites we visited: Vinni – ancient oaks, in high concentration, although the site is only 40 hectares. The site has not had grazing for some time so there is a lot of secondary woodland that has grown up around the oaks. Mädapea – a wonderful wood pasture which has been grazed up until relatively recently. Lots of oaks and aspen. A proposed Natura 2000 site Lasila – A site which is mainly wooded meadow that has not been cut for hay for some time. Wonderful mix of ancient trees including spruce, pine, aspen and oak. A place to see bears in the summer and we spotted a bear footprint whilst we were there! Also a proposed Natura 2000 site Aavakannu - A huge site covering over 1000 hectares of mosaic landscape with huge aspens! There are also lots of ancient oaks, sallow and spruce, tons and tons of Lobaria -a really special site and a proposed Natura 2000 site. Kannastiku - A site which has been identified as a potential woodland key habitat and shows the foresight shown by the county – this is a wonderful site with oaks which is grazed and is one of the first sites where the County is paying the farmer to graze his animals there – without EU subsidies! The oaks are not that old but it has the potential to be wonderful in the future. Järni – a wooded meadow with lots of oaks, quite open and recently grazed or cut for hay.

		Further Information www.riik.ee/en/ http://eelis.ic.envir.ee/ View images

Estonia