These apply primarily to woodlands managed for wildlife and amenity, but also to those managed for production of wood and timber. Historically these aims were not conflicting, and now after a century or so of divergence, they are again coming together.
- Take time to get to know a woodland before making decisions about changes. Visit the woodland frequently over a year and make notes of plant and animal species, gaps in the canopy and any signs of regeneration. The form of individual trees, the woodland structure and landforms in the woodland are easiest to see in the winter, but conditions of light and shade are easiest to see in summer, along with the herbaceous flora of the wood.
- Take advice. There is information available on the history of individual woodlands, through old maps and other archives. Consult property deeds, local libraries, local historical societies or county archives. Most ancient woodlands have been recorded. Many woodlands have been studied for their flora and fauna. Records may be held by the county Biological Records Centre, Wildlife Trust or local office of the nature conservation agency. Local naturalists, local historians and other local specialists may have knowledge of the wood. Local residents and landowners may have knowledge of past management or uses of the woodland, or have old photos which reveal changes in the extent or structure of the woodland.
- The natural distribution of native woodland species has been extensively studied through the National Vegetation Classification (NVC). With knowledge of the location, soil type, soil wetness and aspect of any site, a clear picture can be given of the type of woodland which the site would naturally have supported. This information includes species of trees, shrubs, flowering plants and mosses, and can be used in restoring woodlands which have been altered by planting, and in creating new native woodlands.
- There should be no replanting in ancient semi-natural woodlands, which should only be managed using systems which allow natural regeneration. Other semi-natural woodlands and long-established planted woods should also be managed primarily by encouraging natural regeneration of the native species which they contain.
- Allow nature time to recover before intervening. The elm disease and drought of the 1970s, and the storms in southern England in 1987 and 1990 were not the disasters for woodlands and trees that they were thought at the time. Replanting has not always been successful. Elm is recovering in many areas and the regrowth from suckers has long overtaken many trees which were planted to replace them. In many cases clearance and replanting of storm damaged woodland has been detrimental, whereas those left mainly untouched are regrowing and recovering. Working with the natural growth is likely to be far more successful than replanting. Even semi-natural woods damaged by replanting with conifers are recovering in many places, as the native growth returns and suppresses the conifers.
- Exotic species and cultivars of native species have no place in semi-natural woodlands, and should only be planted in arboreta, gardens and urban parks. Some exotic species may be needed to establish woodland cover on polluted or otherwise damaged sites.
- Don’t make changes which can’t be sustained. Lapsed coppicing regimes should only be restarted if they can be sustained, and if damage by deer can be controlled. Glades should only be created if they can be maintained by mowing or grazing.
- Not all woodlands or all areas of woodlands need management. Non-intervention may be appropriate.
- Woodland ecosystems are kept in balance by a degree of browsing and grazing by wild animals. Total and permanent exclusion by fencing can sometimes lead to excessive natural regeneration of woody species.
- Successful methods of establishing new native woodland are well proven. The NVC gives clear guidance on the appropriate species for any particular area. All planted trees need weeding for at least three years, and those planted on disused agricultural land need particular attention. With correct choice of species, close spacing, rigorous weeding and early thinning, it is quite possible to establish self-sustaining woodland cover within about 10 years. If weeding and other early maintenance cannot be given, it’s better not to plant at all.
Advice on the principles and practices of woodland management is given in a series of eight Forestry Practice Guides: The Management of Semi-Natural Woodlands, available from the Forestry Commission.
