Watchtree Management
Woodland Management at Watchtree
Apart from limited management of potentially dangerous trees adjacent to footpaths, the woodlands consist of well developed ground, herb, shrub and canopy layers with a range of native species of varying age. Importantly, the lack of management has allowed dead wood to form many natural features including partially fallen trunks, decaying wood stumps and crevices and cavities. These benefit all forms of woodland wildlife including Woodpeckers, Bats and small mammals.
Parts of Pond Wood were until 2005 also a relatively dark place but coppicing surrounding the ponds, for the benefit of aquatic life, have enabled increased light levels into this wood. Logs from coppiced trees are left in situ to maximise the dead wood value of the woodland.
Without active management over the next century the woodlands will eventually move towards climax woodland consisting predominantly of Oak. At present there are no plans to interfere with this process with the exception of maintaining rides for visitor safety.
Upwards of eighty thousand tree species have been planted surrounding existing semi natural woodlands. A combination of broad leaved and conifer species are growing and will support a wide range of woodland fauna. Within the newly planted sections some areas will be less intensively planted with native scrub species, creating open areas, rides and glades.
The recently planted woodland will effectively take care of itself as individual trees compete for space, nutrients and light. Once trees begin to touch and cast shade on one another there will be a requirement to selectively thin the woodland, enabling individual trees to grow to their maximum potential. Thinning also prevents the establishment of tall, straggly trees that are prone to wind damage and which are of less biodiversity value.
Tree species have been planted in such a way smaller trees will grow adjacent to south facing rides and glades thus complimenting the larger species and benefiting woodland flora and fauna as a whole.