Having donned a hi-vis jacket and wellies we headed into ‘the field’ – literally from the hall and play area into a field.

We skirted the hedge to our first specimen – an old oak tree.

We then listened to Bob as he talked us through the process of assessing a possible ‘ancient’ tree: the species, its form, its features and any ancient attributes.

We measured its girth, noted down dead wood and moss and lichens, wondered about insects but found no signs of fungi. Other notes relating to future management were made: in a hedge leaning into a village playground and dog walking spot would some clearing under its branches support its roots?

The next tree, across a couple of fields, and now in a chilly wind and rain, was another oak – this one with a slightly larger girth and more signs of dead wood in the crown and on the ground, as well as hollowing.

We speculated as to how it was faring due to compaction from stock or ploughing for crops. Trees need I learn x15 the diameter, or around 5m beyond their canopy.

With the rain turning unpleasant we then headed back inside.