Tree Planting

Our ongoing tree planting project at Old Copse is a vital component of the restoration of 30 acres of ASNW, (partially PAWS), situated in an AONB, part designated SSSI.* 

In the mid 1950's almost all of the original ancient woodland was clear felled and Scots Pine planted across the site. The big storm of 1987 blew down half of the plantation, and birch and other broadleaves are now regenerating in areas where once only pines grew. Our project is to fell the majority of the remaining Scots Pine plantation, and return it to mixed woodland. We are doing this gradually and carefully and replanting in the gaps to maintain 'continuous cover'. 

As part of our management plan we started by felling approximately a third of the Scots Pine plantation in December 2015, and in late 2016 started planting a mix of broadleaves: oak, beech, wild cherry, hornbeam, chestnut and hazel, in the open areas created by the felling. The species mix has been chosen to match those occurring naturally on the site, supplemented by a few English native trees not found within the existing vegetative community, such as small-leaved limes. We aim to achieve a healthy diversity to help the wood withstand the threats of climate change. We have now planted well over 1,000 trees. Every year we fell a little more and replant in the gaps. 

Replanting in the gaps in the plantation

Three years on some of the hornbeams are more than 7ft tall 

Foreground - new planting and remaining Scots Pines, background - remnant original woodland

Oak emerging from tree shelter 

We have planted more than 1000 trees. Note also regenerating ground flora encouraged by the removal of bracken.

Replanting is augmented by a great deal of natural regeneration prompted by the felling, predominantly oak, beech, rowan, alder buckthorn and goat willow. All promising regeneration has to be protected from deer predation. We also transplant any regeneration growing in the 'wrong place' such as the middle of the rides, and grow them on in our deer proof tree enclosure before planting them out elsewhere in the wood. 

Protecting regenerating beech with recycled tree tubes

Growing on natural regeneration in our deer-proof enclosure

By implementing the continuous cover system, newly planted trees might not grow as fast as if they were planted on an open, treeless site, but we've been surprised and pleased at their good rate of growth. We've also been quite lucky with the weather over the past few years, especially the last wet winter which helped the newly planted whips settle in and make it through hot, dry summers. Losses have been minimal. We've been unable to find long lasting, biodegradable tree tubes so we use a mixture of recycled, mesh, standard plastic and home-made wire shelters.   

The future: To continue what we've been doing since late 2016, aiming to fell a further 20% or so of Scots Pine in the next few years, replant, and repeat until the majority of the Scots Pine have been replaced by broadleaves. It is very encouraging to see the difference in the woodland since the felling and replanting began just 3 1/2 years ago. Lastly, because restoring a wood costs money, a further bonus of the felling operations is that the sale of timber for both chip and sawlogs has helped finance other projects in the wood, including the planting of over half a mile of boundary hedge.  

* 

ASNW - Ancient Semi-Natural Woodland

PAWS - Plantation on an Ancient Woodland Site

AONB - Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

SSSI - Site of Special Scientific Interest 

Teapod Party in the wood

Our friend Therese has left the world of digital tech for a new career making crepes and milkshakes at festivals and parties.  Last Saturday was a perfect day for a small, relaxed woodland gathering - socially distanced of course (we tried). The weather was gorgeous and the wood the perfect setting. So what better place for Therese to take her new venture for a trial run?  Friends agreed to come and sample some crepes and it was George's 9th birthday too ..

Therese, and George the Birthday Boy

George and  Pippa  waiting for a  treat.

 

Fire

Wisps of smoke show where the fire is burning underground

The phrase 'Stupid is as Stupid Does' has been in common use during this Covid 19 pandemic to describe people who behave in carelessly stupid ways, putting themselves and others in danger. I think the phrase is also relevant when applied to a recent incident at Old Copse. 

Each time we go to Old Copse we do a recce to make sure that everything is ok, for example, checking for fallen trees and large branches in windy weather. This morning, with a busy work day planned as usual, I  took a quick walk about. There was a strong smell of woodsmoke and lots of smoke around. I  quickly found its source and was shocked and alarmed to find that a fire was burning through the leaf litter and had evidently been going for some days despite  recent rain. The burn had gone deep into the ground layer and the fire was spreading below the surface. The charred area was  20 ft across and flames were licking the edges, driven by a south west breeze.

After stamping out as much of the visibly burning areas as possible,  I ran to get help from Sarah. Thank goodness we could get water from the lake, but it was a long and exhausting process filling containers and dragging them up the bank to the burning site. We  dread to think what would have happened if  the fire had continued to burn and/or there had been no water source. We spent much of the day making as sure as we could that the fire had been contained.We can only hope that we were successful and it is not still burning at Old Copse.

Down at the pond fetching water - bucket by bucket

Fire finally out - we hope

We are baffled by the behaviour that caused this. This photo clearly show the remains of the original fire, edged by burned logs. Why anyone would use logs as a fire edging is incomprehensible .

The fire was burning hottest inside tree stumps.

What a shame that the fire was not extinguished properly. It must have been burning for a week - hence the spread of the damage. Absolutely anyone with an interest in,  respect for, and understanding of  woodlands would know about wildfires, and how destructive they can be, especially in an area where pine predominates. Pine needles, full of  highly flammable oils, build up a deep layer, and when lit,  the fire will quickly spread under the surface. By the time this fire was discovered the area of burn was already 20 feet across and still burning slowly and steadily aided by a southwest wind. Much of the burning cannot be seen because it is below the surface.

There are endless stories in the press about  forest and woodland fires caused by carelessness and ignorance - a dropped match,  cigarette end, a barbecue etc., but still it goes on, uninformed people who do not understand the dangers, just wanting to enjoy our beautiful wood  and no doubt, to have  something to post on their Instagram account. It would be no good putting up signs or explanatory notices, these would probably be ignored. We can only hope there won't be a repeat performance, and be extra vigilant for the next few months, especially during very dry,  hot spells such as we had in late June.