Douglas fir or ancient ash!?

[Lyncombe-climber]

Is I've taken on the management of a 350acre mixed wood. Up on the far side there is a huge amount of Douglas fir letting in no light to the forest floor. Hidden away in this mess there are 17 ancient ash. Beautiful they are. And in summer I expect look fantastic. So I suggested to the client that remove a lot of the Douglas fir so these ash can have a better life. And the layout would create a beautiful spot up there!!! But the client says get rid of the ash and keep the Douglas!

[Goaty]

Tough choice as ash may get disease or maybe not, Douglas may prove more profitable in long run to land owner.

 

Take it you got your consultant rate right?

[Lyncombe-climber]

I did. Thanks. But this is a completely different woodland. It's all coming in at once

[David Humphries]

Be a real shame if those ash were felled but maybe had potential resistance to Chalara fraxinea.

 

At this point it may be wise to not fell the ash and wait to see how the disease progresses in your area (when it comes) & then make a decision on removal.

 

 

 

 

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[HCR]

What percentage of the fir would you have to fell to allow the ash the light they need? What benefit would felling the ash bring to the landowner? Will the ash survive without work to the fir?

 

What is the woodland being managed for? (i.e. what are the management objectives?)

[Lyncombe-climber]

My original management plan simplified is hazel coppice with oak & ash standards. Hazel coppice to encourage further dormice population. Any left over brash to be put into tidy windrows. Reduce Douglas fir by 70% to allow light distribution to the woodland floor creating habitats consisting of grassland. Wildflowers. And ferns. But he's suddenly done a u turn.

[Lyncombe-climber]

The windrows are for a woodcock population.

[HCR]

If there's a management plan, what did it say about the ancient ash?

 

Essentially though, the landowner can do what he wants but I wouldn't want to pay for a management plan just to ignore it.

[Lyncombe-climber]

That's what I've told him. Quite bluntly pointed out it was a waste of my time and his money. And the original plan states it is supposed to be left.

[Stubby]

The windrows are for a woodcock population.

 

When does wood cock roading start ? Derail sorry