Ladies Walk Wood. Ladies Walk Wood

Transcription

1 Ladies Walk Wood Management Plan

2 MANAGEMENT PLAN - CONTENTS PAGE ITEM Page No. Introduction Plan review and updating Woodland Management Approach Summary 1.0 Site details 2.0 Site description 2.1 Summary Description 2.2 Extended Description 3.0 Public access information 3.1 Getting there 3.2 Access / Walks 4.0 Long term policy 5.0 Key Features 5.1 Informal Public Access 5.2 Natural Secondary Woodland 6.0 Work Programme Appendix 1: Compartment descriptions Appendix 2: Harvesting operations (20 years) Glossary MAPS Access Conservation Features Management 2

3 THE WOODLAND TRUST INTRODUCTION The Trust s corporate aims and management approach guide the management of all the Trust s properties, and are described on Page 4. These determine basic management policies and methods, which apply to all sites unless specifically stated otherwise. Such policies include free public access; keeping local people informed of major proposed work; the retention of old trees and dead wood; and a desire for management to be as unobtrusive as possible. The Trust also has available Policy Statements covering a variety of woodland management issues. The Trust s management plans are based on the identification of Key Features for the site and setting objectives for their management. A monitoring programme (not included in this plan) ensures that these objectives are met and any necessary management works are carried out. PLAN REVIEW AND UPDATING The information presented in this Management plan is held in a database which is continuously being amended and updated on our website. Consequently this printed version may quickly become out of date, particularly in relation to the planned work programme and on-going monitoring observations. Please either consult The Woodland Trust website or contact the Woodland Trust (wopsmail@woodlandtrust.org.uk) to confirm details of the current management programme. There is a formal review of this plan every 5 years and a summary of monitoring results can be obtained on request. Any legally confidential or sensitive species information about this site is not included in this version of the plan. 3

4 WOODLAND MANAGEMENT APPROACH The management of our woods is based on our charitable purposes, and is therefore focused on improving woodland biodiversity and increasing peoples understanding and enjoyment of woodland. Our strategic aims are to: Protect native woods, trees and their wildlife for the future Work with others to create more native woodlands and places rich in trees Inspire everyone to enjoy and value woods and trees All our sites have a management plan which is freely accessible via our website Our woods are managed to the UK Woodland Assurance Standard (UKWAS) and are certified with the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) through independent audit. In addition to the guidelines below we have specific guidance and policies on issues of woodland management which we review and update from time to time. We recognise that all woods are different and that the management of our sites should also reflect their local landscape and where appropriate support local projects and initiatives. Guidelines like these provide a necessary overarching framework to guide the management of our sites but such management also requires decisions based on local circumstances and our Site Manager s intimate knowledge of each site. The following guidelines help to direct our woodland management: 1. Our woods are managed to maintain their intrinsic key features of value and to reflect those of the surrounding landscape. We intervene when there is evidence that it is necessary to maintain or improve biodiversity and to further the development of more resilient woods and landscapes. 2. We establish new native woodland using both natural regeneration and tree planting, but largely the latter, particularly when there are opportunities for involving people. 3. We provide free public access to woods for quiet, informal recreation and our woods are managed to make them accessible, welcoming and safe. 4. The long term vision for our non-native plantations on ancient woodland sites is to restore them to predominantly native species composition and semi-natural structure, a vision that equally applies to our secondary woods. 5. Existing semi-natural open-ground and freshwater habitats are restored and maintained wherever their management can be sustained and new open ground habitats created where appropriate. 6. The heritage and cultural value of sites is taken into account in our management and, in particular, our ancient trees are retained for as long as possible. 7. Woods can offer the potential to generate income both from the sustainable harvesting of wood products and the delivery of other services. We will therefore consider the potential to generate income from our estate to help support our aims. 8. We work with neighbours, local people, organisations and other stakeholders in developing the management of our woods. We recognise the benefits of local community woodland ownership and management. Where appropriate we allow our woods to be used to support local woodland, conservation, education and access initiatives. 9. We use and offer the estate where appropriate, for the purpose of demonstration, evidence gathering and research associated with the conservation, recreational and sustainable management of woodlands. In particular we will develop and maintain a network of long-term monitoring sites across the estate. 10 Any activities we undertake will conform to sustainable forest management principles, be appropriate for the site and will be balanced with our primary objectives of enhancing the biodiversity and recreational value of our woods and the wider landscapes. 4

5 SUMMARY This public management plan briefly describes the site, specifically mentions information on public access, sets out the long term policy and lists the Key Features which drive management actions. The Key Features are specific to this site their significance is outlined together with their long (50 year+) and short (5 year) term objectives. The short term objectives are complemented by a detailed Work Programme for the period of this management plan. Detailed compartment descriptions are listed in the appendices which include any major management constraints and designations. A short glossary of technical terms is at the end. The Key Features and general woodland condition of this site are subject to a formal monitoring programme which is maintained in a central database. A summary of monitoring results is available on request. 1.0 SITE DETAILS Site name: Ladies Walk Wood Location: Warrington Grid reference: SJ587899, OS 1:50,000 Sheet No. 108 Area: 6.20 hectares (15.32 acres) Designations: Community Forest 2.0 SITE DESCRIPTION 2.1 Summary Description Ladies Walk Wood is on the edge of Sankey Valley Park and can be accessed from the pathway behind Bewsey Old Hall (parking nearby) or off Shackleton Close (limited parking). The pathway is fairly level and well maintained. 5

6 2.2 Extended Description Ladies Walk Wood is small (6.2ha) urban woodland lying to the north of Warrington. It is bounded by housing, access roads, open fields (and Gulliver s World Theme Park) and Sankey Valley Linear Park. The woodland is secondary mixed broadleaved with occasional pine. It was part of the woodland estate centred on Bewsey Hall prior to the land being purchased by Warrington Development Corporation in the late 1970's. The woodland contains a wide range of species including mature oak, beech, horse chestnut, alder, pine with occasional sycamore and ash. The under storey contains quite extensive areas of recent under planting (rowan, birch, cherry, alder, field maple, hazel) planted by the Development Corporation (circa 1980). Woodland and ride edge plantings were also introduced and include blackthorn, dog rose, hawthorn, hazel, holly. There are three old marl pits now filled with water to form ponds. Two of these ponds are in sub-cpt 1A and are leased to a local angling club whilst the other in sub-cpt 2A is less accessible and heavily shaded. The Development Corporation also constructed a surfaced footpath that runs north/ south through the wood. The woodland is not well used at present with only the occasional dog walker and local youths. There is a some vandalism issues along with regular dumping of garden waste over property boundaries. 3.0 PUBLIC ACCESS INFORMATION 3.1 Getting there 6

7 Ladies Walk Wood is a 6.2 ha urban woodland. The main entrance is on Shackleton Close on the left just after it turns off the A574 Cromwell Avenue on the access road to Gullivers World Theme Park. The existing surfaced footpath network is used frequently by local people and should be accessible for the most part by buggies and wheelchairs, however it does tend to get a bit more rough and muddy at the end of the track as it comes out onto Sankey Valley Park. There are no significant gradients within this woodland. A second much smaller compartment, containing two ponds, lies to the west of the main compartment, and can be accessed from Shackleton Close through a metal kissing gate next to the houses. The footpaths here are stone surfaced and there are wooden boardwalks and timber edged jetties used by a local fishing club. This area is accessible for wheelchairs/ pushchairs through a Radar lock kissing gate although there are some steps at the far side leading upto Cromwell Avenue. There is no official parking although there is parking on Shackleton Close. The nearest available bus stop can be found on Tasman Close the road on the opposite side of the roundabout to Shackleton Close on the A574 Cromwell Avenue. It is a 5 minute walk from here to the woodland entrances for the most part along pavement, you will have to cross Cromwell Avenue which is a fast and busy road so caution is advised. Where no pavement is available please be cautious and aware of oncoming traffic and stick to grass verges where possible. For more information on bus services and locations of bus stops visit the Traveline website The nearest toilets can be found at the Westbrook Centre that is signed and clearly visible about 5 minutes drive north on the A574 Cromwell Avenue. 3.2 Access / Walks 7

8 4.0 LONG TERM POLICY Ladies Walk Wood will be maintained as broadleaved high forest woodland managed through minimal intervention to offer an ongoing amenity to the local population, and ensuring the continuity of woodland habitat as an integral part of the areas wider ecological landscape. Public safety and amenity will be the key drivers for woodland operations with consideration to our neighbours and consequently silvicultural works based on tree safety and stand stability will take place along boundaries close to housing and along the footpaths to manage future tree safety liability as well as helping natural regeneration within the woodland. Additionally it would be beneficial to increase light levels to the woodland floor to encourage natura regeneration of ground flora and a more robust shrub layer. The levels of fallen and standing deadwood will be increased where it is safe to do so. The Trust will continue to inform the local community regarding plans and issues relating to the wood, and will continue to engage local involvement where opportunities arise. The Trusts duty of care to neighbours and visitors will be addressed through ongoing tree safety and site risk assessments regimes, which will stimulate remedial works as required. 8

9 5.0 KEY FEATURES The Key Features of the site are identified and described below. They encapsulate what is important about the site. The short and long-term objectives are stated and any management necessary to maintain and improve the Key Feature. 5.1 Informal Public Access Description Ladies Walk Wood contains a network of surfaced and unsurfaced pedestrian footpaths. There is also two angling ponds leased to Penketh and Old Hall Angling Society. There are entrances off Shackleton Close to the two main compartments along with an entrance where the woodland meets with Sankey Valley Park. Significance Access into this woodland had been restricted for a number of years due to disputes over public access with the neighbours at Bewsey New Hall. The footpath through Compartment 2 is a useful link to Sankey Valley Park allowing local people to gain access to the park through the woodland thereby avoiding busy roads. Opportunities & Constraints Constraint: Access along the surfaced footpath adjacent to Bewsey New Hall is often contested by the neighbour. The footpath has been blocked in the past. Access along and over the land at Gullivers World is not permitted. Opportunities: The angling ponds in compartment 1 are actively used and relatively well managed by the club. We shall work with the Penketh and Old Hall Angling Society to increase the biodiversity of these ponds if possible. The footpath link from Shackleton Close into Sankey Valley Park could be enhanced through maintenance improvements. Factors Causing Change Conflict with neighbouring landowners, lack of support from local angling club Long term Objective (50 years+) Guided by the parameters set out in the Woodland Trusts woodland management principles and access policy, management will continue to seek a balance between conservation and public enjoyment and will ensure that the present levels of access are maintained. The Trusts duty of care to neighbours and visitors will continue to be addressed through ongoing tree safety and site risk assessment regimes, which will stimulate remedial works as required. Short term management Objectives for the plan period (5 years) The existing footpath will be improved through path side coppicing and drawing back overhanging branches as part of the annual Estate Maintainance Contract (EMC). Signs and plaques welcoming the public will continue to be maintained. Existing footpaths will be maintained and repaired if damaged. The Trust will continue to liase with Penketh and Old Hall Angling Society to encourage more of a biodiversity approach to managing the ponds. 9

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11 5.2 Natural Secondary Woodland Description Ladies Walk Wood is a mature natural secondary woodland that provides opportunities for quiet informal recreation, important urban wildlife habitat and a mature setting for the neighbouring housing estates. The woodland edge habitat provides important roosting and nesting habitat for a wide range of birds, butterflies, moths and other invertebrates. The woodland ponds contain significant number of amphibians, dragonflies and aquatic invertebrates. Significance Ladies Walk Wood provides significant environmental benefits to local residents and urban wildlife. The mature wooded backdrop to the housing estate along with greater recreational opportunity on the doorstep are just two factors that make the woodland important to the area. Opportunities & Constraints Constraints: The proximity of the woodland to housing and roads brings with it heightened tree safety risk. In order to reduce this conflict and also enhance biodiversity the woodland edge will be coppiced periodically and stand stability thinning undertaken when opportunities arise. This has significant cost implications. Opportunities: The continuity of high forest in this area brings with it significant environmental benefits to local people and wildlife. The landscape quality is enhanced along with air quality and other non-timber benefits of urban woodland. Factors Causing Change Fly tipping, fire, vandalism, and invasive rhododendron spreading. Long term Objective (50 years+) Ladies Walk Wood will be a secondary woodland with a diverse structure in terms of species, age and size. The woodland edge will have a graduated structure thereby reducing the tree safety/ encroachment liability at the same time as enhancing the biodiversity value of the woodland itself. There will be significant numbers of veteran status trees and increased levels of fallen and standing deadwood in appropriate locations. A healthy diverse ground flora and shrub layer will be present and invasive species will kept under control or eradicated if possible. The woodland ponds and ditch network will contain significant levels of open water, with overshading reduced to a maximum of 20% of the pond area. Short term management Objectives for the plan period (5 years) Stand diversity and regeneration will be secured through the tree safety programme and through the promotion of stand stability of existing underplanting/ understorey stems. Opportunistic operations will focus on freeing up future canopy stems in favour of oak, ash, beech, and alder and occasional felling of over mature/ potentially unsafe trees (and small scale additional felling to make restock/regeneration coupe viable) Control of rhododendron within the woodland during the plan period to provide more suitable conditions for natural regeneration. 11

12 6.0 WORK PROGRAMME Year Type of Work Description Due By 2013 SL - Tree Safety Emergency Work 25% crown thin and remove dead wood on braced beech tree as per site visit. Fell dead oak tree nearby. All timber to be left on site, brash to be chipped and leave timber poles in wood LC - Routine Litter Picks Litter and flytipping control across entire site. Den removal/ fire site repairs/swing removal 2014 AW - Visitor Access Infrastructure Install new WT welcome sign onto post by kissing gate from Shackleton Close into sub-cpt 1A by ponds AW - Visitor Access Maintenance Cut back encroaching vegetation along main paths. Entrance maintenance SL - Tree Safety Silviculture Work Cut back and crown lift trees along roadside boundaries for highways safety work bordering Shackleton Close LC - Routine Litter Picks Litter and flytipping control across entire site. Den removal/ fire site repairs/swing removal LC - Routine Litter Picks Litter and flytipping control across entire site. Den removal/ fire site repairs/swing removal WMM - Invasive Plant Control Cut remaining rhododendron and leave brash on site as habitat piles. Treat stumps with pesticide. No PRS required due to only small amount of rhododendron to be treated SL - Tree Safety Emergency Work Tree safety work on Willows and Oaks by pond LC - Routine Litter Picks Litter pick and flytipping removal across entire site. 31/10/13 30/11/13 31/03/14 31/03/14 31/03/14 31/05/14 30/09/14 31/10/14 31/03/15 31/03/15 12

13 2015 SL - Tree Safety Works - Zone A Proactive tree safety work along boundary to back gardens on Shackleton Close. Trees marked with pink dots to be felled. Remove stem from twin stemmed oak that is leaning over conservatory towards house. Coppice hazel and shrubs along boundary at location marked on map. Timber to be left as 10ft poles on site and brash to be chipped. 3 days work SL - Tree Safety Emergency Work Remove fallen tree across path as reported on Info sheet on 12/5/ AW - Visitor Access Maintenance Cut back encroaching vegetation along paths and at entrances. Clean signs at entrance points AW - Visitor Access Infrastructure Path improvements at eastern entrance to wood. Clear mud from path and surface approx. 16 metres with 40mmdust and compact surface. Install drainage pipe under path. Coppice trees beside path LC - Routine Litter Picks Litter pick and flytipping removal across entire site WMM - Invasive Plant Control Clear rhododendron and any regrowth and treat stumps with glyphosate. Leave brash on site as habitat piles. No PRS required due to only small amount of pesticide required SL - Routine Safety Work Install handrail alongside footbridge between ponds SL - Tree Safety Silviculture Work Tree safety work as discussed on site visit LC - Routine Litter Picks Litter and fly tipping clearance across entire site AW - Visitor Access Infrastructure Fit 2x new WT name signs on posts (signs supplied by WT) as per map AW - Visitor Access Maintenance Path cut and maintenance including entrances WMM - Invasive Plant Control Clear Himalayan balsam by hand pulling and remove any rhododendron regrowth. 2 task days with midweek group. 31/03/15 15/05/15 30/06/15 31/07/15 30/09/15 30/10/15 31/12/15 29/01/16 31/03/16 30/04/16 30/06/16 31/07/16 13

14 2016 CS - General Consultancy Carry out site observations/ safety inspections and work agreed with site manager at sites across Warrington including Ladies Walk Wood, Mary Ann Plantation, Radley Plantation, Seeds Plantation, Twig and Bog Woods, Whittle Avenue Wood, New Moss Wood LC - Routine Litter Picks Litter and fly tipping clearance across entire site SL - Tree Safety Works - Zone B Fell approx Ash trees (some dead/ dying) in the area indicated on map with green circle - most are marked with pink dots (apart from 5 or 6 towards the back of the area). Fell 2x Ash and Field Maple by footpath indicated on map with X. All brash to be chipped and if possible timber to be removed WMM - General Site Management 1/ Paint vehicle barrier (in Woodland Trust green) at entrance to wood from Shackleton Close. 2/ Remove two old sections of chestnut pale fencing that are next to the footpath where it passes close to the fence at Bewsey New Hall SL - Tree Safety Works - Zone A Fell large dead elm and smaller elms marked behind garden fence. Chip brash including any already on site. 31/08/16 30/09/16 30/12/16 30/12/16 31/01/ SL - Tree Safety Emergency Work Fell 2x dead trees near footpath. 10/03/ SL - Tree Safety Emergency Work Fell 2 Willows leaning over the footway on Shackleton Close. Chip all arisings AW - Visitor Access Maintenance Path cut and maintenance including entrances AW - Visitor Access Maintenance Clear build up of soil & leaf litter from path surfaces. 1 day for 2 men with power brush and back pack blower LC - Routine Litter Picks Litter and fly tipping clearance across site WMM - Invasive Plant Control Clear Himalayan balsam and any rhododendron regen. in the wood. 30/06/17 30/06/17 30/06/17 31/07/17 31/07/ AW - Visitor Access Maintenance Path cut and maintenance. 31/08/ LC - Routine Litter Picks Litter and fly tipping clearance across site. 30/09/17 14

15 2017 SL - Tree Safety Emergency Work Clear snapped oak limb from path and chip arisings SL - Tree Safety Silviculture Work Fell marked trees on path edge, 1 day tree gang and chipper. Remove all timber including any on site from previous work ( plus VAT.) Chip brash including garden brash along boundary next to houses, 1 day 2 men with chipper ( plus VAT) 2017 SL - Tree Safety Works - Zone B Fell dead tree in area used by forest school group next to boundary fence. Fell dying Horse Chestnut next to path near pond. Fell dead trees (marked with pink tree marker paint) next to path near Bewsey New Hall. Chip all arisings. Remove old wooden fence posts (sprayed with pink paint) by path opposite Bewsey New Hall AW - Management Access Capital To move metal vehicle barrier at entrance and re install in line with forest track and dropped kerb SL - Tree Safety Silviculture Work To fell approx. 11 trees, chip all arisings and remove timber to create stacking area SL - Tree Safety Silviculture Work Fell trees at entrance on Shackleton Close to improve sight lines and to enable future management access. (Quote from SLTS 24/7/17 - To fell approx 11 trees, chip all arisings and remove timber for timber stacking area ). Need also to get price to fell any trees beside the track through wood to widen it for vehicle management access including turning points LC - Routine Litter Picks Litter and rubbish clearance across whole site. 30/09/17 31/10/17 22/12/17 31/12/17 31/12/17 28/02/18 31/03/18 15

16 2018 AW - Management Access Capital Upgrade entrance and access improvements for management access. Reposition entrance barrier, level ground inside entrance and surface with stone. (Quote from SLTS 24/7/17 - To Move Barrier metal barrier so it is inline with forest track plus VAT) Need to also get price for work to: 1/ replace piped culvert over ditch to minimum 3m width. 2/ widen to 2m the surfaced path at eastern end of wood. 3/ scrape path surface and resurface any low spots/ widen path to min. 2.5 m wide WMM - Invasive Plant Control Inspect wood for rhododendron, remove any regrowth and treat stumps with glyphosate AW - Visitor Access Maintenance Path cutting and maintenance. Entrance maintenance LC - Routine Litter Picks Litter and rubbish clearance across whole site. 30/04/18 30/04/18 31/05/18 31/07/ AW - Visitor Access Maintenance Path cutting and maintenance. 31/07/ LC - Routine Litter Picks Litter and rubbish clearance across whole site. 30/09/18 16

17 APPENDIX 1: COMPARTMENT DESCRIPTIONS Cpt No. Area (ha) Main Species Year Management Regime Major Management Constraints Key Features Present Designations 1a 0.74 Min-intervention No/poor vehicular access to the site, People issues (+tve & -tve) Informal Public Access, Natural Secondary Woodland Community Forest This small woodland compartment lies to the west of the main woodland block of Ladies Walk Wood. It covers 0.74 ha and contains two large connected marl pits. These pits are now ponds used for angling and are leased to Penketh and Old Hall Angling Society (and have been for many years). The ponds have wooden boardwalk access and sections of surfaced track making them suitable to less abled access. There are also two sleeper bridges that cross the ditch network. The woodland element varies from edge plantings (1980) adjacent to properties to mature/ specimen trees including oak, beech, alder and even hornbeam. Woodland edge plantings include hazel, dog rose, blackthorn and hawthorn. A number of ditches feed into and out of the ponds with the main outfall culvert being located in the north east of the sub-cpt 1 (adjacent to Shackleton Close). 2a 2.01 High forest Housing/infrastru cture, structures & water features on or adjacent to site, Mostly wet ground/exposed site Informal Public Access, Natural Secondary Woodland Community Forest This sub-compartment lies to the west of the main woodland block and alongside Shackelton Close. It contains the main vehicular and public access into compartment 2. It has been defined as a separate sub-compartment due to the large number of properties that lie alongside this part of the woodland. Management will need to reflect these special circumstances. The woodland edge contains dense plantings of shrubs including blackthorn, hawthorn, dog rose, hazel, field maple. These were planted prior to the housing development in the late 1970's /early 1980's. As you move away from the property boundaries you move into mature high forest consisting of horse chestnut, oak, beech, alder. A surfaced footpath acts as the eastern boundary of the sub-compartment. To the north of this sub-compartment there is a ditch network that drains this part of the woodland into the main outfall ditch that runs parallel to the Gullivers World theme park access road. The understorey of the woodland consists of (1980) rowan, ash, cherry, alder. 2b 3.45 Min-intervention Mostly wet ground/exposed site, People issues (+tve & - tve) Informal Public Access, Natural Secondary Woodland Community Forest 17

18 Sub-compartment 2b is to the north/ east of the permissive path through Ladies Walk Wood. It is bounded to the north by a grass verge with a wooden chestnut pale fencing (wooden markers) alongside the road to Gullivers World Theme Park, to the west by an internal surfaced footpath, to the east by private land (gardens and field) and to the south by Sankey Valley Park (Warrington Borough Council). The woodland contains mixed broadleaved trees/ shrubs with scattered pine. The understorey varies from sparse pockets of thorn to more dense areas of thorn with underplantings of rowan, cherry, ash, oak. Part of the woodland contains what appears to be the remains of a garden (adjacent to the recently rebuilt Coach House. In addtion there is a large central pond. This pond is heavily shaded and shows signs of eutrophication. A drainage ditch runs from west to east taking surface water from the northern section of the sub-compartment. There is a footpath that runs through the wood roughly from north west corner to the south east (linking the housing estate to Sankey Valley Park) is little used. A small area of planting (ash, oak, beech, hazel, hawthorn, dog rose) lies to the south of the subcompartment and connects two areas of mature woodland. 18

19 Appendix 2: Harvesting operations (20 years) Forecast Year Cpt Operation Type Work Area (ha) Estimated vol/ha Estimated total vol b Ride edge Coppice a Thin

20 GLOSSARY Ancient Woodland Ancient woods are defined as those where there has been continuous woodland cover since at least 1600 AD. In Scotland ancient woods are defined strictly as sites shown as semi-natural woodland on the Roy maps (a military survey carried out in 1750 AD, which is the best source of historical map evidence) and as woodland all subsequent maps. However, they have been combined with long-established woods of semi-natural origin (originating from between 1750 and 1860) into a single category of Ancient Semi-Natural Woodland to take account of uncertainties in their identification. Ancient woods include Ancient Semi-Natural Woodland and plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites (see below). May support many species that are only found in ancient woodland. Ancient Semi - Natural Woodland Stands in ancient woods defined as those consisting predominantly of native trees and shrubs that have not obviously been planted, which have arisen from natural regeneration or coppice regrowth. Ancient Woodland Site Stands in ancient woods that have been converted to plantations, of coniferous, broadleaved or mixed species, usually for timber production, including plantations of native species planted so closely together that any semi-natural elements of the understorey have been suppressed. Beating Up Replacing any newly planted trees that have died in the first few years after planting. Broadleaf A tree having broad leaves (such as oak) rather than needles found on conifers (such as Scots pine). Canopy The uppermost layer of vegetation in a woodland, or the upper foliage and branches of an individual tree. Clearfell Felling of all trees within a defined area. Compartment Permanent management division of a woodland, usually defined on site by permanent features such as roads. See Sub-compartments. Conifer A tree having needles, rather than broadleaves, and typically bearing cones. Continuous Cover forestry 20

21 A term used for managing woods to ensure that there are groups or individual trees of different ages scattered over the whole wood and that some mature tree cover is always maintained. Management is by repeated thinning and no large areas are ever completely felled all at once. Coppice Trees which are cut back to ground levels at regular intervals (3-25 years). Exotic (non-native) Species Species originating from other countries (or other parts of the UK) that have been introduced by humans, deliberately or accidentally. Field Layer Layer of small, non-woody herbaceous plants such as bluebells. Group Fell The felling of a small group of trees, often to promote natural regeneration or allow planting. Long Term Retention Discrete groups of trees (or in some cases single trees) that are retained significantly past their economic felling age. Operations may still be carried out within them and thinning is often necessary to maintain stability. Minimum Intervention Areas where no operations (such as thinning) will take place other than to protect public safety or possibly to control invasive exotic species. Mixed Woodland Woodland made up of broadleaved and coniferous trees. National vegetation classification (NVC) A classification scheme that allows an area of vegetation to be assigned to the standardised type that best matches the combination of plant species that it contains. All woodlands in the UK can be described as being one of 18 main woodland types (W1 - W18), which principally reflect soil and climatic conditions. For example, Upland Oakwoods are type W11, and normally occur on well drained infertile soils in the cooler and wetter north and west of Britain. Each main type can be subdivided into numerous subtypes. Most real woods contain more than one type or sub-type and inevitably some woods are intermediate in character and can't be properly described by any sub type. Native Species Species that arrived in Britain without human assistance. Natural Regeneration Naturally grown trees from seeds falling from mature trees. Also regeneration from coppicing and suckering. 21

22 Origin & Provenance The provenance of a tree or seed is the place where seed was collected to grow the tree or plant. The origin is the geographical location within the natural range of a species from where seeds/tree originally derives. Thus an acorn collected from a Turkey oak in Edinburgh would have an Edinburgh provenance and a southern European origin. Re-Stocking Re-planting an area of woodland, after it has been felled. Shrub Layer Formed by woody plants 1-10m tall. Silviculture The growing and care of trees in woodlands. Stand Trees of one type or species, grouped together within a woodland. Sub-Compartment Temporary management division of a compartment, which may change between management plan periods. Thinning The felling of a proportion of individual trees within a given area. The remaining trees grow to fill in the space created. Tubex or Grow or Tuley Tubes Tubes placed over newly planted trees or natural regeneration that promote growth and provide protection from animals such as rabbits and deer. Weeding The control of vegetation immediately around newly planted trees or natural regeneration to promote tree growth until they become established. Either by hand cutting or with carefully selected weed killers such as glyphosate. Windblow/Windthrow Trees or groups of trees blown over (usually uprooted) by strong winds and gales. The Woodland Trust, Kempton Way, Grantham, Lincolnshire NG31 6LL. The Woodland Trust is a charity registered in England and Wales no and in Scotland no. SC A non-profit making company limited by guarantee. Registered in England no The Woodland Trust logo is a registered trademark. 22