A well managed system of rides and paths within the woodland is important for several reasons:
- Management of the developing woodland, including weeding and pruning, is much simpler if access is easy.
- Trampling and damage to the young trees is less likely if access routes are well planned and clearly defined. Attractive paths and edges, which are the visible parts of the woodland, also make the wood look well cared for, so it will hopefully be better respected.
- Attractive access routes will encourage people to walk in the wood and take an interest in its development.
- Glades and rides, and their edges where they merge to woodland, are important wildlife habitats.
- In larger woods, gravel roads accessible to vehicles in any season are important for viable extraction of timber and other products. These roads are best made before the woodland is planted.
In the early stages of woodland development, paths can be maintained as mown grass. The grassy edges can be left to grow longer, and will provide useful wildlife habitat. As the trees grow up and the canopy closes, grass will be shaded out. Depending on the type of ground and the amount of use, paths may then need surfacing with gravel or woodchips to make them pleasant for walking.
As the woodland develops, sections alongside the main paths may need to be kept clear of understorey, to lessen perceptions of danger. Cleared areas also open up views, are attractive for children’s play, and bring sunlight to the woodland floor. as tree height increases, some felling may be required to maintain grassy glades and rides, which are valued for wildlife and recreation. Vary the edges of paths to diversify the habitat and to add interest to the view. (See diagram below.)
For details on path design, construction and management, including the restriction of unwanted access, see Footpaths. Details are also included on techniques suitable for building woodland roads, using hardcore and other recycled materials.
Managing glades and rides
Most glades will develop from the existing grass sward into which the trees were planted. On sites which start as bare ground, glades can be sown with a mixture of grasses and wild flowers. generally these mixes comprise about 20% native wild flowers and 80% grasses, with different mixes available for sunny or shady sites, different soil types, woodland edge, hedgerows, for early or late flowering and so on. A general mix which contains species with a fairly wide tolerance of conditions is likely to be the most successful.
Glades can be managed in a variety of ways, to manage or encourage different types of flowering plants and grasses. In established woodlands, grazing by rabbits or deer may keep grassy areas open, but in new woodlands, mowing will be necessary. Mowing regimes should be chosen to encourage flowering and seeding of the chosen wildflower seed mix, or of plants already on the site. In general, mowings should be removed off the site to reduce nutrients and encourage diversity of plant species.
There are three basic regimes:
- Spring meadow. This contains a high proportion of plants which flower in spring. it should be cut as a traditional hay meadow, in May, after plants have set seed. leave the cut material to dry in situ and drop its seed, and then gather it up. It can be used as hay, or composted and used as a mulch amongst the growing trees.
- Flowery lawn. Some flowering perennials are adapted to close-mown conditions and frequent trampling. If mowing is stopped or trampling is discouraged for a few weeks in May and early June, the plants have a chance to flower. This treatment is useful for areas which need to be kept reasonably short and tidy.
- Summer meadow. This includes species that flower in late summer and that are attractive to many butterflies. Cut regularly from April to June to discourage coarse grasses becoming dominant, and remove the cuttings.
For further details on management of glades and meadows see Woodlands – Glades, rides and woodland edges and Wildflowers Work (Landlife, 1994). Catalogues of wildflower suppliers also contain useful information on sowing and management.
Edges of glades should have a variety of taller perennials, shrubs and small trees to create shelter, both in the glade and the woodland, and as a wildlife habitat. Edges that face south or west and are open to the sun are particularly valuable for birds and insects. See here for advice on edge management.
