Also, not every veteran tree will necessarily be massive. Smaller old gnarled trees in exposed conditions might qualify when smaller than this. Other species can be less massive, such as old hornbeam pollards, field maples or holly. Short-lived trees such as birch or rowan are not normally expected to be recorded, unless an exceptional specimen is encountered. However, relatively short-lived, but often important pollarded willows or poplars should be included.
Old hawthorns are sometimes difficult to judge, but can be important historically and for wildlife.
Any specially large, gnarled old thorn should be recorded. The survey is aimed at recording all important old trees, but there might come a problem of defining a single tree in the case of old coppice stools. Many of Hertfordshire s woodlands contain numerous old coppice stools, but it is often difficult to measure such specimens because they have no single trunk. There is also the danger that we will record too many less special coppice stools simply because they look gnarled. These are especially valuable, as they can be the oldest trees of all.