Tree ring (landscape feature)

Beech became particularly valued in the 18th century as a landscape tree and for its timber, where previously it had been largely regarded as a fuel source and often managed by coppicing.

[5] In Ireland, tree rings were often planted as a landscape embellishment on top of drumlins, and occasionally made use of an existing rath or ringfort by creation of a small additional bank.

[6] The species used were similar to those in England, with a high proportion of beech and Scots pine, with smaller numbers of ash, oak, sycamore and other trees.

In the late 18th century the Dublin Society offered a premium, at two shillings a perch running measure, for enclosing or tree planting on "old Danish forts, mounds, raths and moats".

Many of the beech trees at Wittenham Clumps are reaching the end of their life; the Earth Trust, which manages the site, is replanting with more drought-resistant hornbeam and lime.