The Horsham tree that could be 3,000 years old

One of the oldest living trees in Britain is in the Horsham district - but opinion differs on just how old it is.
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Horsham District Council says that the tree - a yew at St Giles Church in Coldwaltham - is over 1,000 years old.

But Arun Churches estimate the yew to be an amazing 3,000 years old.

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However, the Woodland Trust says that the oldest tree in the UK is the Fortingall Yew in Perthshire with an estimated age between 2,000 and 3,000 years.

The yew tree at St Giles Churchyard, ColdwalthamThe yew tree at St Giles Churchyard, Coldwaltham
The yew tree at St Giles Churchyard, Coldwaltham

The 13th century Anglican parish church of St Giles in Coldwaltham has a rare 11th century gravestone as well as the outstanding yew, Taxus baccata.

Yews are known to be among the longest-living trees and the St Giles tree is certainly among England’s oldest specimens.