Working neglected woodland

[Two Acres]

Well there was just short of 6000 in it in total so weeding/watering/mulching wasn't an option. I fenced the entire perimeter with rabbit wire as that was more cost effective than individual shelters.

 

Survival rate?, can't be totally sure. Certainly well in excess of ninety percent as I bought about two hundred replacements for "beating up" last year and ended up having to plant the last of them between rows as I couldn't find spaces. It was a helluva job digging holes for each and every tree but I've been told that's what's saved the day given that the two growing seasons they've had have been some of the driest over here for quite a while.

 

Within that mortality, probably half of the casualties were birch. They were easily the largest of all the things supplied to me, some probably 5ft, don't know if that's relevant or not. Others with more experience could probably comment accordingly.

 

Regarding growth, I'm quite happy. I was always told that it would probably be year three before they'd really start to shift anyway so given that their two years have been so dry and warm as long as they've survived at all I'll take that. Also quite a high percentage of oak within it which will never be fast!

 

Thaks for the pics and info Wrsni, very interesting

[Two Acres]

I'm looking forward to mine coming back into leaf again this Spring. I'd be concerned with vole/deer damage without tubes and I suspect the microclimate they generate is why some of mine are over 6' high after one growing season. I have so many self seeded birch I didn't knowingly plant any, although some of the whips I was supplied with have grown into birch trees

 

I'll post more pictures of mine later in the year. Got about 65 to replace and hoping to use chestnut, wild pear and robinia

 

Good blog Spandit, more pics later in the year would be great.

[Two Acres]

Orderly. Varied. Some bendy stuff. Some straight stuff. Some particularly cool stuff. Needs more dense stuff. Hillier than expected. Cool place.

 

Yep, its what passes for mountainous in this part of the world

[Two Acres]

Think you leylandii might be Pinus sylvestris.

 

Definitely both Bren - love the Scots hate the Leylandii myself. Very happy with either in the stove though

[Two Acres]

Not as neglected as I imagined . Then 15 years is not too long .

 

I'm beginning to think the same Stubby, fifteen years untended doesn't seem to have done it too much harm. There are a few trees tha have been lost though, whether more attention could have prevented that I'm not sure

[Two Acres]

Yeah I'd want to see how it behaved in the summer before any major decisions.

 

In the meantime some of the straighter broadleaves could do with a prune, maybe create some deadwood piles aswell.

 

For a neglected woodland looks like it could do with more of a shrub layer if anything, maybe some additional tree planting in sparse areas and the areas with little or no understory.

 

Do you not have vehicle access through the gate in the second last photo?

 

Thanks for your thoughts Lucan,

 

In the Summer its overgrown with nettles and the like.

 

I'm beginning to think that it could do with some paths or rides being established, some pruning as you suggest and the removal of some or all of the Leylandii. Maybe also some coppicing of the Hazel.

 

In theory I could gain access through that gate. In pratice I'd have to drive across a field of crops. As I understand it the rental agreement with the farmer allows for a vehicle to be driven around the edge of a field to gain entry to the wood. All very well on paper but in reality a bit of negotiation would be involved. The gate won't open at the moment and beyond it what was the 'ride' is now a solid bank of two rows of leylandi. If they came down then I'd have a track through the wood back.

 

Was the advantage of creating a deadwood pile as opposed to just leaving it where it lies?

 

I'm also thinking that some planting could be a good move, but what?

[Bren.]

Personally. I'd go for thinning and layering.

[agg221]

I've posted this link before on another thread, but I think it's pertinent here:

 

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Bl1HQg7aCo[/ame]

 

I would plant hazel, for its ability to form an understorey and, coppiced, its versatility.

 

Alec

[Bren.]

Do love Hazel for coppice, but might I also suggest Small-leaved Lime and Sweet Chestnut, If you can provide some Deer protection for a couple of years Field Maple makes a very lovely Coppice too.

[spandit]

Blog updated!

 

I've planted hazel and field maple but didn't know the latter was suitable for coppicing. Going to plant some sweet chestnut later this month or next month...