niioll

7 hours ago, Dan Maynard said:

There is an SSSI wood near us, where several blocks were cleared and planted with conifers by the FC. The policy has been to clear blocks and let nature take its course, but there are plenty of trees around the blocks to spread.

What is outside your conifers?

The site is surrounded by mixed broadleaf trees and then surrounded by fields. Yes, the broadleaves naturally regenerate in the areas that have be felled by strong winds and storms. 

1 hour ago, AJStrees said:

I agree on the woodland, unless you are trying to be a forester, growing and selling timber as your trade, then yes take out a fair amount of them, leave the place to naturally do it’s thing, maybe fence to stop munchers coming in, but if left for the soil to naturally regenerate, you may not even need to plant. Nature can do some miraculous things.

Yes absolutely. In fact, I'm learning about soil seed banks and a woodland conservator mentioned to me that there is research that soil seed banks last 60-70 years (climate change probably affects this). So considering that this site was replanted 60 years ago, by selectively felling some of the trees, we could really be trying to salvage and germinate some of the seeds in the soil. Anyone familiar with these dynamics and can give some more advice/information?

From my research, conifers can't inosculate/fuse together, only some broadleaf species. I guess it would just be fixing/tying them together. Unless someone has an example that would prove it wrong!

They are Norway Spruce. I will test on the thinner ones.

What would you consider the condition of this woods and recommendation for this woodlands with the objective of promoting the natural regeneration of vegetation from the soil?

Hi! 

I have a plot of conifers (diameter max 200mm, height 12-15m). They are very flexible and bends with the wind quite a lot and I want to do an experiment where I bend two trunks towards one another (probably at least 3.5m apart) to create an A-frame. Am I right to say that the trees will survive if I don't bend them beyond the horizontal? ie, the roots will adapt to the new loading and the canopy will grow towards the sunlight? I could do it incrementally too - tightening the bending every year or so?

I'm uploaded a sketch, please see what I mean. I'm really curious. I see many "arbosculptors" grafting, bending and pruning to shape trees, but not specifically on conifers. 

Thank you for your advice!

Best Regards,

Nicole