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Working with experts towards a productive forest
John purchased a piece of land in Gloucestershire with the aim of improving the site for nature at the same time as producing a timber crop and gaining a financial return.
“The land parcel that we have acquired is 8.68 ha with 0.6ha of existing woodland and scrub. There are also extensive corridors of woodland and hedgerows, including mature stream side Alder and a mature Hazel hedgerow embankment. There are two streams that run through and on the boundaries of the property, as well as significant areas of potential wet grassland/water meadow.”
Western Forest Woodland Management lead Oscar has been supporting John with the planting design, alongside an expert forester from the Forest Canopy Foundation. We have carried out a baseline assessment of the ecological condition of the site to explore the potential of Biodiveristy Net Gain; and we’re putting together an application for Trees for Climate on behalf of the landowner, to fully fund all of planting. Designing the site with an expert forester is crucial to ensuring a high-quality long-term timber product and to build resilience in a changing climate.
“We are working with the Western Forest develop a comprehensive plan for the site, which we would look to implement in the 26/27 planting season. Current thinking would include a diverse woodland with areas of wet Alder Carr, Cricket Bat Willow, native broadleaf oak, hazel woodland to expand the existing woodland, hazel coppice and commercial broadleaf and conifer areas.
We would also hope to complement this with an extensive ride and open space network and possibly some grazing or grassland management under the Cricket bat willow. We would also be keen to improve the watercourses and possibly add a pond and wetland scrapes.”
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