Dutch treat 1,000-year-old tree

A team of 12 arboriculturists from Holland has paid 500 euros (£400) each to travel to Kent to try to save a 1,000-year-old sweet chestnut tree.

The tree, which has a 54ft girth and is over 100ft tall, is suffering from a lack of oxygen to its root system and is having remedial treatment.

The tree, in a Penshurst wood, is said to be in a "critical" condition and could die within five years.

But it is hoped treatment will help it to live another 200 to 300 years.

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"We say it is not a tree, it is a system," said arboriculturist team leader Jeroen Heindyx.

"When a system is blocked because there is no air coming down then the whole thing dies - just like we would die when our oxygen system is blocked."

Mr Heindyx said the team wanted to learn and share knowledge about the ancient tree.

Dead branches are also being cut away from the canopy.

The tree is in a 44-acre wood which is open to the public as well as home to Penshurst off-road cycle club.

In the longer term, a platform will be built round the tree to stop visitors damaging its roots and allow more oxygen to reach them.

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