Standards

[Stereo]

So, I have been watching all this stuff on woodland management and I look at my wood, the majority of which is big stuff with some interesting new ash growth at the top of the wood which is to become coppice. Under the widely spaced standard grow a multitude of ferns and there are plenty of rabbit holes and badger sets.

 

I'm being told that standards aren't natural and that the only way to manage the wood is to knock them down and get some new growth going.

 

Considering many of them were my age when my great grandad was in nappies, I'm not sure I can do it. Some of them older I guess. What right have I?

 

Lot's of firewood though.

 

Hmmmm.

[Graham]

Coppice with standards is as old as the hills.

[Andy Collins]

I agree with Graham, standards are as much part of a woodland as coppicing, post a few pics so we give a little more info.

[sloth]

So, I have been watching all this stuff on woodland management and I look at my wood, the majority of which is big stuff with some interesting new ash growth at the top of the wood which is to become coppice. Under the widely spaced standard grow a multitude of ferns and there are plenty of rabbit holes and badger sets.

 

I'm being told that standards aren't natural and that the only way to manage the wood is to knock them down and get some new growth going.

 

Considering many of them were my age when my great grandad was in nappies, I'm not sure I can do it. Some of them older I guess. What right have I?

 

Lot's of firewood though.

 

Hmmmm.

 

Standards aren't natural?! Huh?

I suppose the management plan depends on your management aims. Keeping a good amount of old trees, and encouraging new growth is great. Id aim for as wide an age range as possible, keeping as many old trees as possible and leaving a few semi or early mature trees to replace the old ones in time. If your aim is firewood set aside coppice trees and cut them on rotation, leaving the standards and mature trees as they are.

How big an area is it? Is it protected in any way? Will you be felling enough to need a license? Have you looked at or considered any grants (ewgs)? I'd love to own a woodland, you lucky git one day....

[Stereo]

It's steep, about 4 acres I guess with a flat bit on the top. Very slatey(?) ground so big trees tend to fall quite often as the roots can't get into the ground. I haven't done anything with it as access is a pain but we plan to put in a track or 2 and get it working in some way. I just don't want to steam in and balls it up through ignorance.

 

Guess I need some expert advice and education. There are some mighty, mighty trees in there and some rubbish as well.

[Andy Collins]

Invite a few lads from here around, set up a BBQ and a few drinks and get some varying advice. Then eat all the food and drink all the beer. You'll learn absolutely nothing from this, but it will be fun!

OR get the Woodland Trust or a local Wildlife Trust around to advise you. (may be cheaper)

[Stereo]

I'm not sure. If I invite the woodland trust I'll have to drink all the beer myself before they arrive. I may learn less than from a bunch of drunken arborists as I'll be face down in a badger set.

[Logan]

hi stereo. good idea to get advice. shame it's usually conflicting! have you asked your area forestry commission officer? if you are registered or get yourself registered with the RPA and the land is on the RLR you could apply for a woodland management grant, then someone full of info can come confuse you. old trees kinda make a wood. we left 50 standards per ha on some plots, landowners request; FC and land manager told me off for leaving too many. big areas of shade= crappy density of regrowth. 8-12 per ha the manager wanted. for seed trees. the owners we contract to would have not been pleased if we'd left 12. so, good luck!

[Logrover]

Generally what you would do would be cut the coppice in 5 to 7 year rotations, encourage new growth and you can be selective with tree guards and occasionally fell the odd standard for firewood. This should give you a constant coppice product plus firewood or maybe a bigger income if the standard is a good stick for planking, veneer etc even. But also you being sustainable as your new growth will benefit from extra light and replace the cut produce. Simple but effective although if trees are falling over there often then maybe just coppice cutting and use of trees on the floor for firewood would be better? would need to have a look really!

Where abouts are you?

[Stereo]

Way down in South Devon!