Woodland Trust calls for protections for England’s 2.1m ancient trees

Conservation group wants to drive cultural shift' to designate trees and woodlands as fundamental to quality of life'

She would never have dreamed of it a few years ago, but when lockdown came and she found herself separated from family and friends, I'm not ashamed to say I hugged a tree or two if I was feeling sad," says Jane Barber. When you couldn't hug people - and I didn't have a partner at the time - it was really challenging for people who lived alone.

We need connection, to feel connection with another living being. To connect with the tree's history and reflect on what it might have witnessed is wonderful."