AN ELLESMERE man known for his tree hunting work has appeared on BBC hit show Countryfile for a fifth time, showing off his work along Offa's Dyke.

The Sunday night show put the spotlight on the ancient path, which runs throughout north east Wales and Shropshire, including a piece with Rob McBride.

He took presenter Ellie Harrison abseiling to show off a rare species that was only discovered in 2009 – a Llangollen whitebeam – and are only found in the steep rocks above the popular Welsh town.

Rob explained on the show why the trees are so rare, with only 307 recorded.

He said: "It's evolved to grow in this environment – it needs to be away from the rocks because you've got loads of sheep grazing the leaves.

"Once the seeds are dispersed by birds or whatever (does it), they will germinate and the roots will mine nutrients out of the rocks; they will dissolve minerals out of the rocks to feed the trees."

He then displayed how he records the trees as part of his work along the dyke, which he shares with the Woodland Trust and according to presenter Ellie, he has recorded more than 4,000 trees – some more than 2,000 years old.

One of the whitebeams he recorded was around 140 years old and the show said that seeds are being sent elsewhere to preserve the species.

Rob took to social media to record his delight at being on the show again but did admit his disappointment that a further segment was cut.

The show is repeated at 8.30am on Sunday, August 29.