Blog - 1987

Help - they've felled my wood

Help – they’ve felled my wood

by Angus, 24 January, 2019, 13 comments

Arriving at our woodland after an absence of some time I was devastated to find that a whole section of it had been felled. I hadn't given permission and it’s not what I wanted at all. Hundred-year-old oaks and big ash trees had gone. Oh, and there were the stumps of those beautiful beech trees which I’d loved. To tell the truth I was quite emotional. I cried, and then I was angry. Then I was frustrated, knowing that whatever the explanation it wouldn’t bring back the trees. Even if I replanted them - which of course I would - the new trees wouldn’t reach maturity in my lifetime. The explanation turned out to be as prosaic as it was disappointing Read more...

Surviving drought.

Surviving drought.

by Chris, 28 November, 2018, 0 comments

Climate change means that we are likely to experience more extreme weather events from intense and prolonged rainfall to severe drought and heat. The plants and trees of woodlands may experience periods of flooding, during which their roots may be deprived of oxygen (as the soil is waterlogged) and consequently - die. Similarly trees and other plants may be subject to drought - resulting in the stunting of growth or even death. It had been thought that most trees had roots that penetrated deep into the soil (in search of water and minerals) but the aftermath of the Great Storm of 1987 revealed that this was not the case for many types of tree. The root systems of many trees are, in fact, relatively shallow - the root plate may only reach down some five to six feet. Read more...

Deadwood

by catherine, 10 October, 2008, 2 comments

Traditionally woodland was kept “clean” by clearing away fallen timber. However, nowadays it is recognised that deadwood has an important part to play in forest management. Deadwood was removed to prevent the transfer of disease and pests – a mistaken belief as it happens, for almost all species which inhabit deadwood are specific to that habitat (“saproxylic”) and will not inhabit living wood. Now deadwood is recognised as an essential part of the forest ecosystem. Read more...

Wild Flower Guide

Badger

Read our guide to wild flowers of woodland and hedgerow

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