Tree protest in Trafalgar Sq

A small wood comes to Trafalgar Square today for the first time in more than 400 years as actress Prunella Scales joins a protest at the destruction of the country's "natural cathedrals and monuments".

The grove of oak, beech, holly and other native species, 50 trees in all, is a symbol of growing opposition to the lack of legal protection for ancient woodland in comparison with relatively modern buildings like Nelson's Column. It marks the start of National Tree Week, with events planned all over Britain.

According to the Woodland Trust, Britain's biggest woodland conservation charity, the nation's trees - some of which are more than 400 years old and are part of woodland dating from the Stone Age - are the natural equivalent of the National Gallery and Nelson's Column. However, while destroying the buildings would cause national outrage, woodlands have almost no legal protection.

Ms Scales announced the results of a survey showing that more than 84 per cent of people believe ancient woodland is the UK's equivalent of the tropical rainforest and think it should have greater protection. And 85 per cent agree that having more woods around urban areas would help us stay in touch with nature, while 65 per cent said that seeing woods on their way to school, work or the shops made them feel less stressed.

"A shocking 85 per cent of ancient woodland has no national protective designation," says the charity. "Ancient trees and woodland, which is one of the richest habitats for wildlife, including dormice and bats, can simply be damaged or destroyed.

"By contrast, Nelson's Column, the National Gallery and St Martin's in the Fields all have Grade-I listed status. They are all less than 300 years old, and the column is less than 200 years old."

Ms Scales said: "People are waking up to the value of the United Kingdom's woodland heritage. Over the last 30 years, the Trust has acquired more than 1,100 woods. Now we can all do our bit to help - by becoming members and helping to ensure that future generations continue to enjoy the beauty of our woodland."

The charity says that outrage at the recent destruction of woodland has resulted in a 60 per cent growth in membership, which now stands at 100,000, in the last two years.

Ancient woodland is defined as being older than the year 1600 - when much of the area around Trafalgar Square was still wooded. Most of the woods that have survived since then are at least 3,000 years old, dating back to the Bronze Age, and part of the primeval forest that once covered 90 per cent of lowland Britain.