Woodland Edge management

The group intends to complete the woodland management on Plock wood edge over the next five years, from 2015 to 2020. Please see Management plan on this website.    Although this may seem a long time it will be worthwhile as, when complete, it will add wildlife diversity to the area.

Most of the scrub trees that were in the meadow area close to Plock wood edge, were cut to ground level and treated with herbicide to prevent re-growth, although a couple were left  to be used as singing posts for  birds over spring & summer.                                                      One  Third of the area cleared will be cut every September and  arising’s removed. This will encourage wildflowers to return. The other two thirds will be left uncut, which will allow all sorts of wildlife to shelter, overwinter and hibernate in.

Three locations were chosen for thinning of trees to create open areas within the woodland edge.

One area is to allow the enlargement of an existing bramble patch. As the bramble spreads, it will provide nesting sites for birds, nectar from flowers for insects and fruit in autumn as food for wildlife. The gorse, which had become leggy due to lack of light because of overhanging trees, was pruned back to encourage more bushy growth.

The other two areas chosen  will be very well-sheltered from the wind and, once ground flora has matured, will become havens for insect Life and excellent diverse habitats. As they are south facing, the micro climate within these pockets will be warmer than on the open meadow on most days.

The woodland edge is defined as being all trees within 30 feet of the grassland/wildflower meadow. Future plans include removing 1 to 2 in 5 trees across all common species and  coppicing 1 in 5 of Hazel, Ash & Hawthorn. This will open up the woodland edge, adding ground flora and open spaces, which will aid all insect life, which is the foundation of all wildlife.

WORK DAY SUNDAY FEBRUARY 8th 2015.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA The group started the work on 8th February 2015. Having cleared scrub trees from the grassland to the edge of Plock Wood, they them cleared an area of 30 by 20 feet of trees, using the cut down trees to build a dead hedge to the back perimeter of the area.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA After the area was cleared, it is to be left to allow Ground flora to establish naturally.

WORK DAY SUNDAY NOVEMBER 22nd 2015.

An area of 40 by 30 feet was predominantly cleared of Ash trees present. Work was started the Wednesday previous by 3 members who could not attend the Sunday work day. six members attended Sunday’s work day to fell trees, build the dead hedge and plant the are up.

 The area before work starts, please note the Fern to the right of the picture for reference in the next picture.

 The area after all the Ash Trees were felled, which were used to build  the Dead Hedge to the back of the area. Notes the Fern  for reference.

 Ian and Helen, planting one of the 6 Wild Privet.

 The area after planting. During the work day we felled Ash Trees in the area, leaving some Hazel, Hawthorn and Alder in place. We then planted native trees and shrubs including, 2 Rowan at 7 feet in height, 6 Hollies, 6 Elderberry, 6 Guilder Rose, all of which are known to produce good quantities of Nectar, Pollen and fruit, which will benefit most  wildlife on the meadow.

 

 

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