I believe that trees over 100 years in age deserve the same basic rights and protections as lesser animals.

In effect i propose that any and all trees over 100 years in age have protection legislation that makes it illegal to fell or cause harm to the tree unless for sustainable forestry i.e. the trees wood is not wasted and suitable replanting of the same species replaces each individual.

I would like such measures to be adopted by national governments and adopted officially as UN policy as animal rights are by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) .

Harming veteran trees for visual or planning perposes for example would be illegal.

I state that all live should be deserving of some protection and cultural respect. veteran Trees are complex liveforms that can overtake a human lifespan many times over, it has also been proven scientifically that they feel a form of pain albeit though plant hormones rather than a nervous system.

Just as an animal can provide meat and dairy for us should be regarded with respect and base rights so should veteran trees. Trees also continue benefiting us and the wider environment directly through the air we breath as well as suppoting hundreds of other species that use the tree as a habitat and for nutrition.

Any act unnecessary involving the destruction of an ancient tree, and any decision leading to such an act, constitutes a crime against life