Woodland types : Birch woodlands
by Chris, 10 June, 2015, 3 comments
Birch is a pioneer species, that is often replaced by oak, beech or other species. After the last Ice Age, birch moved in quickly as the glaciers receded. Even now, after clearfell in almost any part of the country, birch is usually the first to appear by natural regeneration (and can act as a nurse for planted oak etc.); some refer to it as the 'forester's weed'. Birch woodland is generally “open” and the trees are often of a similar age and size. Birch regeneration is often respaced (thinned) with a clearing saw (the resulting thinnings may be used for horse jumps - like the Grand National).
However, birch woodland has mainly persisted (in the U.K.) where conditions are harsh and limit the growth of other species. Read more...
