Small woodland care

[footsoldier]

The best part about this is that i have no woodland management or tree care experience that`s why i`m asking for advice.

This little wood is about 90% Alder with a few Birch and as many Oak.

A few Holly a small amount of Willow on the other side and some mature Elder Berry.

Coppicing the lot i don't think my farmer mate would like that though i could see the benefits myself.

Treedave`s advice for small areas sound`s better and would look more easy on the eye`s from the farmer`s point of view too

Extracting the firewood would be a job in itself i cut down two tree`s last year and wheelbarrowed the wood over 200 yards to the nearest access point.

 

[treedave]

If your after ground cover you could allways plant some rhodies and possibly some japanese knotweed!

 

I've got as much of either that you can have for free:sneaky2:

[footsoldier]

what purpose does the wood serve, or is it completely un-utilised, do you have an interest in nature conservation or financial requirement for the woodland, you will get a load of diffent answers, is that photo typical of the whole site, are there protected species present, what has been the historical management, whats the site like, dry and good access, boggy and difficult to get round? its quite a tricky one to advise on and ultimately only you know what you want to achieve with the site....... go on give us a clue

 

Hi Charlie there is no financial interest in this wood and the work that i`m about to do will be unpaid and in my own free time.

But yes i do have an interest in nature and conservation.

There are no protected species present and the only history that i know of it is that it`s been like this for for the last 25 years untouched.

The site is very boggy in the majority of places with limited access.

What do i want to achieve? well some thing that Deer will like Charlie.

[Charlieh]

This little wood is about 90% Alder with a few Birch and as many Oak.

A few Holly a small amount of Willow on the other side and some mature Elder Berry.

 

Extracting the firewood would be a job in itself i cut down two tree`s last year and wheelbarrowed the wood over 200 yards to the nearest access point.

 

 

the species mix would hint to me that the site is potentially quite damp, i also notice the channel in the first photo is quite full, im guessing removing a very small amount from selected areas its going to be most beneficial, there is a chance that removing a lot of the trees could raise the water table, so i would identify sites that are on either higher or drier parts of the wood to work in as these will generate a better ground flora rather than just ending up with more willow/alder regen, also those close to the track if you only have a wheel barrow, does your farmer friend not have an atv you could scrounge for a day?

[Stephen Blair]

Hi Charlie there is no financial interest in this wood and the work that i`m about to do will be unpaid and in my own free time.

But yes i do have an interest in nature and conservation.

There are no protected species present and the only history that i know of it is that it`s been like this for for the last 25 years untouched.

The site is very boggy in the majority of places with limited access.

What do i want to achieve? well some thing that Deer will like Charlie.

 

its a typical coppice bit of wood by the looks of it.

there are bound to be local folk with open fires,landrovers and strong backs.

these folk usually like a bit of shooting, so they know what will attract the deer.get the old barter system going. even make a small woodland sindicate.

its only a pain getting wood out bacause you are using a barrow. someone will have a small tractor or quad. it is a nice oppertunity, but i wouldnt bust a gut yourself. not unless they gave the land to you. i would get down the local pub and see who is interested. someone will have woodland knowledge.

gamekeepers, gardeners.

[David oakman]

If you are going to spend some time there watching the wildlife try putting in some glades deer birds and also pheasants they don't like it closed in if you put in one glade go back in the spring and it will be full of pheasants, you will also get wild flowers and this will bring moths and butterflys as said leave some dead wood for beetles ect and you have made a good start.

[footsoldier]

Some more pictures..

 

 

Edited December 21, 2008 by footsoldier
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[penfold]

If your after ground cover you could allways plant some rhodies and possibly some japanese knotweed!

 

[Log-ologist]

Alder Carr is typically wet woodland. Can you winch out the trees with a tractor winch to a hard standing .

[hplp]

Id look at getting some drains put in before anything as that will allow the ground to dry enough to allow other species in. Is there a river thats dumping its water into the woodland?

 

Otherwise if you bring anything in they'll get stuck.

 

Once it dries out abit, give it a medium thin, aiming to single out the trees. This will give you firewood but also allow more species and age class diversity.

 

H