Our work at Ashclyst Forest

Woodland management

To have a healthy, diverse and resilient woodland we must actively manage our woods on the estate by cutting down some trees and supporting new growth to establish. We often thin blocks of trees, conifers especially, to allow those that remain to get more light and become stronger. This usually involves taking specific rows of trees out in sequence. Some of the remaining trees will then become our veteran trees of the future.

Supporting wildlife

By thinning the trees, this allows sunlight to reach the woodland floor and provides habitats for all types of insects, butterflies and wildlife. Once the trees are felled, they will often be sold to local sawmills to be turned into paper, building materials, and occasionally wood chip or even toilet rolls. Any wood left on the ground has been done so deliberately.

Although this may seem wasteful and look untidy, the decaying wood and hollows provides the perfect habitat for threatened insects and wildlife. Nutrients are then returned to the soil which is vital for new woodland growth to occur.

Specialist contractors

Due to the size of the forestry operations and complexity of our woods we can’t always use horses and fell trees by hand. Instead, we often use specialist local contractors who have the most appropriate equipment to carry out the job, and who can obtain the most from the trees.

Planting new trees

To further enhance our woodland age structure, we also carry out planting of new trees where applicable, using small trees called whips. We carefully nurture them to become the wood’s future trees. We also encourage natural regeneration by seeds from nearby trees, these are often better suited to local conditions on the estate.