BALMORAL ESTATES FORESTRY MANAGEMENT STRATEGY APPROVED. SEPTEMBER 2003 Updated July 2008

Transcription

1 BALMORAL ESTATES FORESTRY MANAGEMENT STRATEGY APPROVED SEPTEMBER 2003 Updated July

2 BALMORAL ESTATES FORESTRY MANAGEMENT STRATEGY SUMMARY The over-riding long-term management objective for the woodlands is: To promote the sustainable management of the natural forests and forestry plantations in harmony with the overall Aims of Management of Balmoral Estate. It is envisaged that this sustainable management will create woodlands which, although primarily timber producing coniferous woodland, are as diverse as possible to maximise wildlife conservation, sport and amenity and to protect and ameliorate the soil and water quality. To achieve these objectives, the Estate intends to increase the use of silvicultural systems based on continuous cover principles using natural regeneration wherever possible. Specific objectives for the different forest types are: Native Caledonian Pine Forest (Ballochbuie Forest) To conserve, enhance and expand the native pinewood ecosystem of this Natura 2000 site for its nationally and internationally important bird, plant, mammal and invertebrate species; and to harvest a yield of high quality timber compatible with the sustainable objectives for Natura 2000 sites. Woods of Native Species of High Conservation Value (Garmaddie & Craigowan Woods). To naturalise these woodlands over a longer period, to enhance the developing habitat quality, while providing mature timber of a quality suitable for manufacturing value added products. Multiple Use Mixed Woodlands (Alltcailleach Forest). To manage primarily for timber production, while taking advantage of opportunities to enhance landscape, biodiversity and recreation benefits. Policies, Copses and Scattered Woodlands To manage the policy woodlands for their amenity value. A commitment is included in the strategy to investigate the feasibility of gaining forest regeneration without the use of new deer fences taking into account the stalking requirement of the estate. When essential new fences are erected, every effort will be made to mitigate against the undesirable impacts of fences (i.e. visual impacts, bird strikes, concentration of grazing impacts outside the fenced areas). All fences are managed in accordance with Forestry Commission guidance on deer fences. Current fences are marked and redundant fences removed when they have fulfilled their protective role. The exact time of removal will result from a continuous monitoring exercise. Balmoral Estate woodlands are currently entered into the Forest Stewardship Council certified group scheme operated by Scottish Woodlands Ltd. (Membership Number SGS-FM/COC )

3 INTRODUCTION For the last 150 years successive Royal owners have cared deeply for Balmoral Estate, which has been an integral and much-loved part of their family life. Their appreciation of the natural heritage of the land, and their commitment to fostering and conserving its natural assets have remained undiluted throughout that time, and is clearly reflected in every detail of the daily management of the Estate. The purpose of a formal written forestry management strategy is to ensure that the management of the estate forests furthers the overall aims of management of the whole estate; does not conflict with or negate the management strategies of the other estate departments; maintains a consistent vision over the long term and deals with the increasing expectations and mandates from the international, national, regional and local communities. The aims of the management of the Balmoral Estates are: to work together with the owners to achieve a high standard of stewardship and land management for the benefit of present and future generations, to adopt consistent policies for the conservation of the natural assets of the Estate, to provide a place of retreat and enjoyment for the Queen, her family and their guests. The forestry management strategy must be compatible with these aims. Sustainability To meet the above criteria the estate forests will be managed sustainably. The definitions used in the UK Forestry Standard will be used in this document: Sustainable Development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. (Our Common Future, 1987; report of the World Commission on Environment and Development.) Sustainable Forest Management means the stewardship and use of the forests and forest lands in a way, and at a rate, that maintains their biodiversity, productivity, regeneration capacity, vitality and potential to fulfil, now and in the future, relevant ecological, economic and social functions, at local, national and global levels, and that does not cause damage to other ecosystems. (Ministerial Conference on the Protection of European Forests, Helsinki; 1993)

4 OBJECTIVES The over-riding long-term management objective for the woodlands is: To promote the sustainable management of the natural forests and forestry plantations in harmony with the overall Aims of Management of Balmoral Estate. In the long-term, it is envisaged that this sustainable management will create woodlands which, although primarily timber producing coniferous woodland, are as diverse as possible to maximise wildlife conservation, sport and amenity and to protect and ameliorate the soil and water quality. To achieve these objectives, the Estate intends to increase the use of silvicultural systems based on continuous cover principles using natural regeneration wherever possible. Specific objectives for the different forest types are: Native Caledonian Pine Forest. Ballochbuie has been classified as a Special Protection Area (SPA) under the EC Birds Directive, and listed as a Special Area for Conservation (SAC) under the Habitats Directive as one of the biggest and best examples of Caledonian forest in the UK. Some of the live trees are over 400 years old. Aim To conserve, enhance and expand the native pinewood ecosystem of this Natura 2000 site for its nationally and internationally important bird, plant, mammal and invertebrate species; and to harvest a yield of high quality timber compatible with the sustainable objectives for Natura 2000 sites. Objectives To ensure successful natural regeneration of the woodland by maintaining grazing levels within the woodland and on adjacent moorland at appropriate levels outlined in the estate Deer Management Plan. To develop a self-sustaining native pine forest by identifying old growth core areas which will be managed on a minimum intervention regime. To identify and follow silvicultural prescriptions in line with the Positive Management Strategy for the SPA and with regard to the SAC designation. To reduce the reliance on deer fencing as the pinewood ecosystem regenerates. It is likely that some deer fencing will always be necessary to protect these woods from winter-grazing. To establish the conditions to allow the development of sub alpine scrub and a natural tree line

5 Woods of Native Species of High Conservation Value. The Garmaddie and Craigowan Woods were an extension of the Ballochbuie forest and much of the other woodland in this category is at a stage where silvicultural thinning is of benefit. Individual trees range in age from one to three hundred years. Aim The management aim is to naturalise these woodlands over a longer period, to enhance the developing habitat quality, while providing mature timber of a quality suitable for manufacturing value added products. Objectives To harvest a sustainable yield of high quality timber. To enhance biodiversity through increasing the range of native species and encouraging the development of non-forest habitats within them. To identify old growth areas which will be managed on a minimum intervention regime to increase concentrations of senescing, dead and decaying trees. To retain relevant stands to over maturity to provide a sustained source of material to meet demand from local niche markets, and to provide local opportunities for employment. To enhance and improve the quality of the internal and external landscape by planning felling and restocking coupes to create a diverse species and age class structure. To provide public access and recreation in appropriate areas compatible with the conservation interest. These objectives will be met by the adoption of a silvicultural system appropriate to the site and to the desired woodland structure. A prescription of continuous cover silviculture and small scale clear felling will be used to mimic natural disturbance regimes. These methods will be used to achieve a balance of age classes and woodland structure that reflects those found in natural forests. Multiple Use Mixed Woodlands The Alltcailleach Forest is the principal source of the timber harvested annually on the estate. However, measures to increase non-market benefits are an important part of the management of the forest. Aim To manage primarily for timber production, while taking advantage of opportunities to enhance landscape, biodiversity and recreation benefits. Objectives To maintain a sustained yield of marketable timber. To enhance and improve the quality of the landscape by planning felling and restocking coupes to create diverse species and age class structure; and to manage internal views to minimise visual impact of harvesting. To provide public access and recreation in appropriate areas. To enhance nature conservation values by increasing species and structural diversity through felling and restocking, including the creation of long-term retentions and non-woodland habitats. The silvicultural systems to be employed will involve a variety of coupe sizes and irregular shelterwood with the acceptance of species change by natural regeneration, particularly birch, to create a more diverse forest structure

6 Policies, Copses and Scattered Woodlands There are about 100 hectares of policy and amenity woodlands, including many fine specimen trees, which greatly enhance the environs of the Castle and gardens. Aim To manage the policy woodlands for their amenity value. Objectives To continue to manage policies and copses for non-market benefits, in a way and at a rate which perpetuate their present character. To provide enjoyable public access at appropriate times. To maintain the structure of the designed landscape. Continuous Cover Forestry (CCF) The native forests of Balmoral are composed largely of light demanding pioneer species which are adapted to colonising open ground after occasional incidents of natural disturbance. It is uncertain whether permanently-irregular structures will develop in stands composed entirely of light-demanding species or in certain upland forest types. In such cases, higher rates of disturbance will lead to a mosaic of structures, some of which could involve regeneration gaps of a significant size. The transformation process, i.e. the initial period when CCF principles are applied to evenaged stands, may also involve even-aged elements, either through the use of smallscale clear felling or the adoption of shelterwood systems. However, the furtherance of the aims and objectives of the estate will encompass the following CCF principles: Principle 1: Adapt the forest to the site CCF seeks to work with the site and respect ecological processes and inherent variation rather than impose artificial uniformity. Principle 2: Adopt an holistic approach to forest management CCF regards the whole forest ecosystem as the production capital of the forest. This includes the soil, the forest micro-climates, the associated fungi, flora and fauna as well as the trees themselves. Principle 3: Maintain forest conditions and avoid clear felling CCF regards the maintenance of forest conditions an essential tool in achieving its aims. Principle 4: The growing stock Under CCF management, stand improvement is concentrated upon the development of preferred individuals rather than the creation of a block of stems with uniform spacing and average stem characteristics. A characteristic of permanently irregular stands is that yield control is based on measurements of stem diameter and increment rather than age and area. Source: Continuous Cover Forestry Group - 6 -

7 FORESTRY & DEER MANAGEMENT One of the most important aspects of forest management is the relationship with the populations of wild native red and roe deer and the importance of these in the aims and objectives of the estate. Balmoral Estate wishes to maintain native populations of deer at densities that will maintain biodiversity and range condition, and permit the sustainable delivery of all of the estates land-use objectives. The management of deer at Balmoral is aimed at achieving several objectives. The Deer Management Plan is the result of a process that included the development and consideration of a wide range of options and resulted in a strategy for deer management. The Balmoral Estate Deer Management Plan (March 2003) considers in detail the Deer Management Rationale; the physical constraints affecting the deer population and the impact of the deer on the habitat; the relationship with other land uses, including forestry; the positive management strategy for the Ballochbuie SAC and SPA; the deer management objectives, methods of working and monitoring; the population dynamics of the herd and predictive models and the particular role of deer fencing relative to forest management. Deer Fencing Justification for fencing Fencing should not be used without a full justification and consideration of alternatives. Details of fence specifications and locations required to meet the objectives should include provision for addressing the mitigation of potential adverse impacts of fences such as mortality to birds, visual obtrusion and physical barriers to access. Source: Forestry Commission (Scotland) Guidance Note; Deer and Fencing. Decisions on the removal of existing deer fences will consider the advantages and disadvantages related to capercaillie conservation, habitat management for capercaillie and all other native species and deer stalking objectives. The estate, Deer Commission for Scotland (DCS), Forestry Commission (FC) and Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) will be involved in making such decisions. This approach to integrated resource management supports the objectives of the Deeside Forest Accord to which the estate has subscribed. In the last 18 more than 40 km of redundant fences have been removed and more than 40 km of the remaining fences have recently been marked with wooden palings to reduce their impact on woodland grouse. When essential new fences are erected, every effort will be made to mitigate against the undesirable impacts of fences (i.e. visual impacts, bird strikes, concentration of grazing impacts outside the fenced areas). All fences are managed in accordance with Forestry Commission guidance on deer fences. Current fences are marked (see above) and redundant fences removed when they have fulfilled their protective role. The exact time of removal will be subject to monitoring

8 The estates forward plan for the fencing program is as follows: 1 Ensure redundant deer fences are removed promptly. 2 Ensure existing effective strategic fences are all marked with palings. 3 Aim to maintain fenced woodlands free of deer, or at lowest possible numbers, in order to facilitate rapid tree establishment and early removal of fences. 4 Aim to remove the Knocks/Dalliefour internal fences after Aim to remove the West End fence after Aim to remove the Ballochbuie ring fence after If continued monitoring of fences marked with palings demonstrates the effective reduction of bird strikes, erect a new fence to surround proposed new woodland regeneration at Druim Odhar/Glen Gelder after 2005/6 8 Aim to enclose further areas of woodland regeneration after 2020 after removal of the Ballochbuie ring fence. 9 Consider enclosure of Ripe Hill regeneration after satisfactory establishment of Druim Odhar native woodland. 10 Consider removal or re-alignment of the Garmaddie/Craigowan ring fence after New internal fences will be considered if deer control within strategic fences is unsuccessful in achieving natural tree regeneration Certification Pursuance of the aims and objectives of the estate allows the marketing of timber under an internationally recognized quality assurance label. Balmoral Estate woodlands are currently entered into the Forest Stewardship Council certified group scheme operated by Scottish Woodlands Ltd. The objective of the scheme is to allow members to demonstrate that their forests are being sustainably managed to Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and internationally recognized standards and to access the expanding markets for FSC certified timber. It is the intention of the Estate to maintain certification with an internationally recognized accredited organization. The forest management practices of the Estate also comply with the UK Forestry Standard and the UK Woodland Assurance Scheme. The Forestry Stewardship Council The FSC is an independent non-governmental organisation promoting environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable management of the world s forests through its timber products label by accreditation of organisations, which certify the quality of forest management. The UK Woodland Assurance Standard UKWAS was developed through a consensus process involving a broad range of environmental, social and economic forestry representatives. Organisations involved include the FSC, the Forestry Commission, WWF, the Forestry & Timber Association, the Woodland Trust, Friends of the Earth and the Rambler s Association. A successful audit against the UKWAS delivers the FSC label provided it is carried out by an FSC accredited certification body

9 The Forest Resource Area Statement Location Forest Type Conifer (ha) B'leaf (ha) Open (ha) Total (ha) Ballochbuie NCP Garmaddie & Ripe Hill HCV Craigowan & Policies POL/HCV/COP Dalliefour & Birkhall HCV/ MUMW Alltcailleach MUMW Upper Glenmuick & South Esk HCV/COP Total Proportions (%) NCP Native Caledonian Pine Forest HCV Woods of Native Species of High Conservation Value MUMW Multiple Use Mixed Woodlands POL Policies COP Copses and Scattered Woodlands Main References 1. P. J. Ord. 15 th September The Management of the Balmoral Estate. Internal Document. 2. Stewart G Fulton & Bob Dunsmore. 31 st May Towards a Sustainable Forestry Strategy for Balmoral. A Draft Discussion Paper. Internal Document. 3. Dr. Philip R Ratcliffe. 8 th January Balmoral Estate Deer Management Plan (Draft). Internal Document. 4. The Forestry Commission The UK Forestry Standard. 5. UK Woodland Assurance Scheme Certification Standard W Mason, G Kerr, J Simpson. October What is Continuous Cover Forestry. Forestry Commission Information Note Continuous Cover Forestry Group. Various articles and seminar papers. 8. I Robinson, J Dobson. 10 th October Woodland Management Plan 2001 to Internal Document approved for Certification. John Dobson Head Forester Balmoral Estates 19 th August