These top insect trees tell us much about our natural ecosystem. Hawthorn’s insect diversity attests to a strong presence in the ecosystem, and it remains vital for many ‘scrubland’ birds. Crab apples are characteristic of wood-pastures like the New Forest, where free-roaming herbivory is still in play. Old cider orchards with domesticated apple

We are now approaching what some scientists term the sixth mass extinction. Since 1970, there has been a 58% decline in the number of fish, mammals, reptiles and birds worldwide.2