Half of the Ancient Trees in Hungary Stand in Human-Altered Environments

Abstract

Big trees contribute to various ecosystem functions and spiritual values are given to them by local people, yet they are endangered. We compiled the health status, accessibility, and local habitat categories of the 2000 biggest (considering girth) trees in Hungary in 531 settlements. A total of 1550 specimens belong to 29 indigenous species, while 450 are non-indigenous (43 species). Most of them stand in a forest or park (not as a solitary tree), in the North Hungarian Range. Altogether, half of the ancient trees in Hungary stand in human-altered environments. Three-quarters are in a fair health condition. However, only 10.3% of the biggest white willows and 24.5% of the biggest sweet chestnuts are in good or excellent condition. A number of 121 big trees should no longer be listed in the nationwide online database because they died, or no longer reach the girth criteria (e.g., due to breakage). This number proves that any kind of documentation is important. More than half of the trees are easily accessible, while 9% are very difficult to reach. Only a very few big trees receive legal protection at the local or national level, on their own or in the habitat where they stand.