Crossfield Wood. Crossfield Wood

Transcription

1 Crossfield 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 Secondary Woodland 6.0 Work Programme Appendix 1: Compartment descriptions 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 Consequently this printed version may quickly become out of date, particularly in relation to the planned work programme and on-going monitoring observations.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: Crossfield Wood Location: Arnside Grid reference: SD452784, OS 1:50,000 Sheet No. 97 Area: 0.08 hectares (0.20 acres) Designations: Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Tree Preservation Order 2.0 SITE DESCRIPTION 2.1 Summary Description Crossfield Wood is small woodland lying to the west of Arnside, a picturesque seaside village overlooking the Kent Estuary in South Lakeland. Comprising a mixture of ancient and planed woodland, it s home to a wide variety of wildlife, and boasts wonderful displays of woodland flowers in spring. 5

6 2.2 Extended Description Crossfield Wood is small almost rectangular woodland located to the west of Arnside a picturesque seaside village overlooking the Kent Estuary in South Lakeland. The estuary to the north and Morecambe Bay (a SSSI and SAC) to the west dominates the surrounding landscape. To the south and east there is a mixed landscape of predominantly broadleaved woodland both ancient seminatural and ancient woodland sites, farming and tidal salt marshes and the large wooded knoll that forms Arnside Park and Arnside Knott. The area, though sparsely populated, attracts many visitors particularly those with an interest in ornithology, the salt marshes and freshwater marshes of Leighton Moss (RSPB) have an abundance of bird life as do the many old quarry sites now designated as nature reserves. This combined with the wooded landscape; an abundance of public rights of way and the villages of Arnside and Silverdale make for an interesting and varied visitor experience. Crossfield Wood, gifted to The Woodland Trust in 1997, is 0.08ha and though small and little visited it is important within the village landscape combining with large wooded parks and gardens to form an almost continual wooded belt interspersed by houses clinging to the steep north face of Arnside Knott. The woodland may be reached from Red Hills Road along a surfaced track that is a public footpath leading to the estuary. Heading north west on the path the woodland is located on the left (south). The area including, Crossfield Wood, is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the woodland is also protected under a Tree Preservation Order. The Abbeyfield Society who donated the wood to the Woodland Trust own Crossfield House a retirement home which is adjacent to Crossfield Wood. A squeeze stile and small welcome sign denote the entrance to the wood and a short informal path with steps leads to the interior of the wood and the drystone wall that is the western boundary. The woodland is made up primarily of oak planted around 1910 with a small proportion of beech of a similar age. One large mature ash is present in the south east corner. The under storey is made up of holly and yew with a scattering of ash and beech regeneration where there is sufficient light to promote growth. Rhododendron, laurel and snowberry were noted to be present in small amounts along with elderberry, hazel, elm, cherry and rowan though these are generally only represented as individuals. The herb layer is sparse due to limited light reaching the woodland floor and consists mainly of brambles, ground elder and ivy with small amounts of cranesbill, wild garlic, lesser celandine, cuckoo pint, some of which typify the underlying limestone soil. Violets and cultivated daffodils also noted to be present. 3.0 PUBLIC ACCESS INFORMATION 3.1 Getting there 6

7 Access to the woodland is gained via a squeeze stile on the northern boundary where a small Woodland Trust welcome sign is also located. Four shallow steps lead into the woodland up a gentle north facing slope to a small flat open area adjacent to the eastern boundary. Whilst there are no public rights of way within the woodland the approach path leading from Red Hills Road is a public footpath and though it is possible to park on Red Hills Road and walk to the wood heading north west. A more interesting and scenic route is offered from the Arnside promenade, where there is ample parking, through the gardens and woodlands of Ashmeadow, a small estate with many permissive paths most of which terminate on the public right of way leading to Crossfield Wood. A further alternative is to continue west along the seafront and turn uphill (south east) on the public right of way leading to Red Hills Road. Whilst visitors are unlikely to seek out Crossfield Wood most will pass the woodland on the well-used footpaths and permissive paths that wind through the western end of the village. 3.2 Access / Walks 7

8 4.0 LONG TERM POLICY The Woodland Trusts long-term vision is to ensure retention and perpetuation of the mixed woodland by maintaining a continuous cover of trees to ensure continuity of the landscape and biodiversity value of this woodland. Where safe to do so, mature trees and old growth will be retained however proximity to the surrounding houses and the adjacent public footpath dictates that safety is of paramount importance. Regular tree safety inspections are essential. The woodlands current composition is 65% sessile oak (Quercus petraea), 15% beech (Fagus sylvatica), 10% yew (Taxus baccata) and 10% mixed broadleaves including holly (Ilex aquifolium), ash (Fraxinus excelsior), wild cherry (Prunus avium), sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus), rowan (Sorbus aucuparia), hazel (Corylus avellana) elderberry (Sambucus nigra) and elm (Ulmus glabra). The woodland composition is unlikely to change in the short term (50 years) though the proportion of older holly and yew is likely to increase as there are many young trees making up the shrub layer These however will not compete with the canopy trees (oak and beech) and therefore will not change the composition of the canopy woodland. They may however restrict the amount of regeneration of other tree species through shading. In the long term, without intervention oak will become less dominant and the representation of beech, ash and sycamore will increase. Young natural regeneration of these species is already present and over time, through thinning, tree safety felling or natural loss, these species will be able to respond more quickly to the available light than oak regeneration. This small woodland provides cover and habitat for a variety of wildlife and makes up part of a larger habitat corridor within the village. The Woodland Trust aims to maintain this through managing for an uneven age structure, retention of old wood and deadwood communities (where safe to do so) and ensuring succession. The Trust will maintain the informal access to the woodland with the provision of one entrance, welcome sign and steps. Public information through posters and local consultation will be provided to involve and inform visitors about the woodland and to enable them to gain a better understanding of the importance of woodland within the locality. 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 Access to the woodland is gained via a squeeze stile on the northern boundary where a small Woodland Trust welcome sign is also located. Four shallow steps lead into the woodland up a gentle north facing slope to a small flat open area adjacent to the eastern boundary. The permissive path extends to approximately 15m. Significance Whilst the woodland has greater importance in terms of landscape and conservation Crossfield Wood offers a small area of woodland for locals to view and visit as part of the network of woodland in the area; this is one of the Trusts key outcomes. The Cumbria Biodiversity Action Plan incorporates the action for landowners to give the public the opportunity to experience and appreciate wildlife. The role of green spaces in urban areas is recognised in Green Spaces, Better Places, where it states that Parks and green spaces have a vital role to play in promoting healthy living and preventing illness, by providing places for walking, cycling and other physical activities. ' Opportunities & Constraints Whilst there are no public rights of way within the woodland the approach path leading from Red Hills Road is a public footpath and it is possible to park on Red Hills Road and walk to the wood heading north west. A more interesting and scenic route is offered from the Arnside promenade, where there is ample parking, through the gardens and woodlands of Ashmeadow, a small estate with many permissive paths most of which terminate on the public right of way passing Crossfield Wood. A further alternative is to continue west along the seafront and turn uphill on the public right of way leading to Red Hills Road. Whilst visitors are unlikely to seek out Crossfield Wood most will pass the woodland on the well-used footpaths and permissive paths that wind through the western end of the village. Opportunities exist to inform the public of The Woodland Trusts objectives, the role of woodlands in the environment and management practices pertaining to Crossfield Wood through posters and consultation. Factors Causing Change None identified Long term Objective (50 years+) The Woodland Trust will maintain informal access to the woodland. Tree safety inspections will be regularly undertaken to ensure that local users, neighbours and visitors can enjoy the woodland. Public information and promotion of woodland will be enhanced where possible and posters will be used to inform and involve visitors to the woodland to promote greater understanding of the importance of woodland within the environment. Short term management Objectives for the plan period (5 years) 9

10 Maintain and repair the pedestrian access with welcome sign and 4 steps. Regularly inspect boundaries (every three-five years) and undertake repairs, working with neighbouring owners as appropriate. Litter pick site and remove material as necessary along with any garden waste as appropriate. Undertake regular annual inspection of mature trees to ensure safety of visitors, surrounding dwellings and public footpath. Continue to involve local people where appropriate. 10

11 5.2 Secondary Woodland Description Crossfield Wood though small (0.08ha) is important within the village landscape combining with large wooded parks and gardens to form an almost continual wooded belt interspersed by houses clinging to the steep north face of Arnside Knott. Houses and gardens adjoin the south and west side of the wood whilst to the east there is a small coastguards building surrounded by trees of a similar composition to that found in Crossfield wood. The area including, Crossfield Wood, is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the woodland is also protected under a Tree Preservation Order. The mature woodland canopy contains sessile oak (Quercus petraea), beech (Fagus sylvatica), one large ash (Fraxinus excelsior) and a single semi-mature wild cherry (Prunus avium). Below the canopy layer there is an abundance of holly (Ilex aquifolium) and yew (Taxus baccata) of varying age classes ranging from three years to eighty years. Additionally sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus), rowan (Sorbus aucuparia), hazel (Corylus avellana) elderberry (Sambucus nigra) and elm (Ulmus glabra) were noted in small amounts or as individual plants. A number of potentially invasive shrubs are present these include small amounts of rhododendron (Rhododendron ponticum), cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus), Portuguese laurel (Prunus lusitanica) and snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus). Where sufficient light is reaching the woodland floor there are small patches of natural regeneration primarily of ash, beech and holly. No oak regeneration was noted to be present. The herb layer is sparse due to limited light reaching the woodland floor and consists mainly of brambles (Rubus fruticosus), ground elder (Aegopodium podagraria) and ivy (Hedera helix) with small amounts of cranesbill (Geranium spp), wild garlic (Allium ursinum), lesser celandine (Ranunculus ficaria) and cuckoo pint (Arum maculatum), some of which typify the underlying limestone soil as well as violets (Viola spp) and cultivated daffodils (Narcissus spp). Significance Crossfield Wood is an important local landscape feature located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Tree Preservation Order No. 17, 1965 (South West of the Promenade, Arnside) covers the whole wood, administered by South Lakeland District Council. The wood is a key link between the urban setting and the countryside and also provides continuation of the wooded nature of Arnside provided by Ashmeadow and the large mature garden trees surrounding the western end of this picturesque village. Woodlands in urban settings, such as Crossfield Wood, help to break up the visual impact of houses and bring the countryside to the local community. Trees and woods offer a wide range of benefits to residential and urban areas, such as noise filtering, shade, improving aesthetic appearance of an area, and improving biodiversity. The woodland provides cover, food and nesting sites for a variety of bird species and small mammals. Opportunities & Constraints 11

12 The opportunity exists to implement The Woodland Trusts long term vision set out in Keeping Woodlands Alive to ensure retention and perpetuation of the woodland through management of a continuous canopy of trees and securing succession, through natural regeneration and, if required, planting. Retention of the mature canopy is constrained by safety neds due to the proximity of neighbouring houses, gardens and public footpath. Thinning of trees and shrubs, as appropriate, for safety reasons is an opportunity that will help diversify the age class structure of the woodland though due to the small area and safety concerns the retention of standing deadwood may be hampered. With the proximity to urban properties it is possible that exotic species from gardens may colonise the woodland. Where colonisation poses a threat to the current overall mix of species removal or control may be considered. Where there is no threat the species can be accepted as part of the succession characteristics of the woodland. Factors Causing Change Other - Felling of trees for safety reasons., Other - Invasive exotics, Other - Tipping of garden waste Long term Objective (50 years+) To retain the mature canopy and landscape continuity and to secure perpetuation of this mixed species woodland. It is anticipated, without intervention, that the species make-up will alter over time with possibly greater proportion of ash and beech being present. This change is viewed as acceptable. Monitoring of potentially invasive shrubs (rhododendron, laurel and snowberry) will be undertaken at least once during the period of the plan and an assessment made of suitable control measures if it is deemed these species are causing change of habitat particularly preventing regeneration. Where safe to do so standing deadwood communities should be retained however due to the proximity to neighbouring houses and gardens and also the public footpath it is likely that any deadwood will require to be in the form of habitat piles. Short term management Objectives for the plan period (5 years) Undertake annual tree safety inspections and carry out any necessary tree safety work. Due to the restricted access and the physical size of the woodland trees selected for removal may have to be taken down in section and left on site as deadwood communities. Measure the density/coverage of invasive exotics such as rhododendron, laurel and snowberry and assess if control is required. 12

13 6.0 WORK PROGRAMME Year Type of Work Description Due By 13

14 APPENDIX 1: COMPARTMENT DESCRIPTIONS Cpt No. Area (ha) Main Species Year Management Regime Major Management Constraints Key Features Present Designations 1a 0.08 Oak (sessile) 1910 High forest No/poor vehicular access within the site, Services & wayleaves Informal Public Access, Secondary Woodland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Tree Preservation Order 14

15 The woodland, extending to 0.08ha, is almost rectangular in shape and is enclosed on its south and west boundaries by a drystone wall. Along the northern boundary there is a chestnut-paling fence whilst on the eastern boundary there is post and three line wire fence. Houses and gardens adjoin the south and west side of the wood whilst to the east there is a small coastguards building surrounded by trees of a similar composition to that found in Crossfield Wood. To the north there is a well-used public footpath beyond which lies Ashmeadow Gardens, a mixture of woodland and open grassland with permissive paths. The wood contains around 33 sessile oak (Quercus petraea), thought to have been planted around 1910, and these represent the dominant species. One large ash (Fraxinus excelsior) is located in the south east corner, this tree is somewhat older than the oak and likely to have been planted during the mid 1800s. A number of beech (Fagus sylvatica) have also become established, probably around 1930, seeding from adjacent mature beech in the neighbouring gardens. A single semi-mature wild cherry (Prunus avium) is located close to the north west corner of the wood. Below the canopy layer there is an abundance of holly (Ilex aquifolium) and yew (Taxus baccata) of varying age ranging from three years to eighty years. Additionally sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus), rowan (Sorbus aucuparia), hazel (Corylus avellana) elderberry (Sambucus nigra) and elm (Ulmus glabra) were noted in small amounts or as individual plants. A number of potentially invasive shrubs are present these include small amounts of rhododendron (Rhododendron ponticum), cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus), Portuguese laurel (Prunus lusitanica) and snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus). Where sufficient light is reaching the woodland floor there are small patches of natural regeneration primarily of ash, beech and holly. No oak regeneration was noted to be present. The herb layer is sparse due to limited light reaching the woodland floor and consists mainly of brambles (Rubus fruticosus), ground elder (Aegopodium podagraria) and ivy (Hedera helix) with small amounts of cranesbill (Geranium spp), wild garlic (Allium ursinum), lesser celandine (Ranunculus ficaria) and cuckoo pint (Arum maculatum), some of which typify the underlying limestone soil, as well as violets (Viola spp) and cultivated daffodils (Narcissus spp). There are a number of overhead services adjacent to the woodland on the northern boundary. A telephone line runs east - west along the edge of the wood and an electricity line runs in the same direction but on the opposite (north) side of the public footpath. Finally a stay pole (without live wires) is located within the wood toward the north west corner. Public and management access to the wood is gained via a squeeze stile from the public footpath running adjacent to the site. This path may be reached from the sea front or from Red Hills Road. 15

16 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 16

17 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. 17

18 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. 18