I am responsible for maintaining a small woodland adjoining my garden. It’s dominated by mature ash trees and, according to the London Wildlife Trust who surveyed the wood in 1995, it is likely that it was part of a larger ancient woodland dating back to medieval times (perhaps 14th century).
The wood provides a lesson in sustainability in so far as it was cultivated several centuries ago and actively managed to provide a source of wood for fuel, construction and other uses for hundreds of years. The hazel coppice or underwood was cut back to ground level when it was between 7 and 15 years old and the poles used on the land. The timber trees (mainly ash) were known as standards. They would be felled in their prime when they were between 70 and 150 years old. A substantial number of trees in the wood must be of this age. Trees identified in a 1994 survey include Ash (dominant), Field Maple, Oak and Sessile Oak, Sycamore, Wild Cherry, and Willow. Shrubs include: Hazel, Elder, Blackthorn, Dogwood, Buckthorn and Buddleia.
My efforts have been to maintain pathways, cutback the brambles that periodically take over, and create new habitats for insects and small mammals by creating log piles. Unfortunately, like many other woodland areas some of the mature Ash trees have been infected with Ash dieback and perhaps 80% of the woodland might be lost in the next decade.
The wood provides a lesson in sustainability in so far as it was cultivated several centuries ago and actively managed to provide a source of wood for fuel, construction and other uses for hundreds of years. The hazel coppice or underwood was cut back to ground level when it was between 7 and 15 years old and the poles used on the land. The timber trees (mainly ash) were known as standards. They would be felled in their prime when they were between 70 and 150 years old. A substantial number of trees in the wood must be of this age. Trees identified in a 1994 survey include Ash (dominant), Field Maple, Oak and Sessile Oak, Sycamore, Wild Cherry, and Willow. Shrubs include: Hazel, Elder, Blackthorn, Dogwood, Buckthorn and Buddleia.
My efforts have been to maintain pathways, cutback the brambles that periodically take over, and create new habitats for insects and small mammals by creating log piles. Unfortunately, like many other woodland areas some of the mature Ash trees have been infected with Ash dieback and perhaps 80% of the woodland might be lost in the next decade.
The need to plant new trees so that the woodland can now regenerate over the coming decades has now become an imperative. I happened to watch a documentary on YouTube about Hugh Wilson a man who had spent 30 years restoring a substantial area on the Banks Peninsula of New Zealand to natural forest. His dedication, humility and approach were inspiring. I decided to embark on planting new trees and follow the Tree Council’s advice of planting similar species to what were already established in the woodland. I purchased 45 saplings – a mix of Maple, Sessile Oak and Beech, and from the Woodland Trust and have begun planting them in small clusters throughout the woods. If the planting is successful I will plant more saplings this year.
I am delighted to be part of a much larger RE-Betchworth tree and woodland regeneration project.
Be inspired by Hugh Wilson's efforts to create a more sustainable regenerative world.
I am delighted to be part of a much larger RE-Betchworth tree and woodland regeneration project.
Be inspired by Hugh Wilson's efforts to create a more sustainable regenerative world.