Small woodland care

[footsoldier]

I`ll be following the advice that Charlie recommends and work in the higher and drier area`s. That would suit the wildlife that i`m trying to encourage better.

The Winch suggestion would be impracticable and the water is from a stream that runs alongside it. Though the ground does have a very high water table in the area anyway.

[skyhuck]

The Winch suggestion would be impracticable .

 

How so ??

[footsoldier]

I don't have a winch Huck and i couldn't see the farmer allowing me or anyone else taking either a tractor or any other vehicle across his barley fields.

Work in this wood is not important to him and i suppose to a point it`s not important to me either.

But i would like it to be a better place that`s all..

[penfold]

if you stick to the edge of the field you should be ok. Odds on the farmer will be driving a tractor over his field with a big sprayer etc.

[Arob]

Does the wood have any public access; public rights of way, bridleways etc if so you'll have to very careful of public liability issues.

If you have no prior experience you may benefit from undertaking a woodland management plan, that may help you to better outline your aims and objectives, reveal and help to resolve various disparate issues and make you better equipped you could try this link to get you started www.forestry.gov.uk/pdf/guidancenote12.pdf/$FILE/guidancenote12.pdf

it's probably not worth the hassle of putting in a grant claim, but completing a WMP will provide useful terms of reference regarding management and perhaps bring you up to speed with your legal responsibilities.

 

You might also enjoy reading up on some of George Peterken's work, this will help you fill in some of the silvicultural blanks and also connect the silvicultural and ecological aspects. Woodland Conservation and Management ISBN 0 412 27450 7 may be a good starter.

 

If you haven't already, you may find it useful to get in touch with the Small Woods Association http://www.smallwoods.org.uk/

 

Good luck, looks like it could be a lot of fun!

[Charlieh]

You might also enjoy reading up on some of George Peterken's work, this will help you fill in some of the silvicultural blanks and also connect the silvicultural and ecological aspects. Woodland Conservation and Management ISBN 0 412 27450 7 may be a good starter.

 

 

not come across this book before is it any good as its over £80 on amazon (£110 for a new copy )

[Arob]

I think it marries conservation and woodland management well (but i think that's a hallmark of the author), i tend to dip in and out for referencing and haven't needed to go cover to cover, but based upon my scant knowledge this wouldn't be a bad book for someone in footsoldiers position to take a look at.

I'd imagine that it could be obtained, perhaps via an inter-library loan?

[footsoldier]

No public access or rights of way through or along the wood but thanks for the information Arob.

I`ll check the small woods site out for starters..