‘The trees are trying to tell us things’: the ecologist championing our ancient forests

Ted Green, a conservation adviser to the crown estate at Windsor, has a provocative take on our living heritage'

Ted Green is a rebel. He calls sheep land maggots". A horse-riding centre is a dog-food complex". And the ancient tree expert's new book includes a photo of him sticking up two fingers at a portrait of Margaret Thatcher.

But the influential, iconoclastic Green, 89, who has lived his whole life around Windsor Great Park and still works as a conservation adviser for the crown estate, is also a staunch advocate for King Charles's protection of Britain's unique trove of ancient trees.