Trees have a finite lifespan.  It varies from species to species.  Typically in the UK Yew trees can live for thousands of years.  Oaks can reach 800 years quite easily.  Once very old they can appear partly dead, they can be hollow and they can even have other trees growing from them.  Yet they will persist for very many years after that.  One such ancient tree is the Oak at the Gate of the Dead in the Ceiriog Valley in North Wales.  Its trunk has split into two, but the tree is still very much alive.  It is known to date back to at least 802 AD making it at least 1224 years old.

This Oak will have a vast network of associated fungal systems under the soil.  Oak trees can support up to 2000 other species.  Cutting down an established old Oak tree is a crime against humanity and the environment of huge proportions.

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