A cool calm forest, filled with ancient wild garlic and a haze of bluebells in the spring provides a haven of peace. Yet while on the surface all may appear peaceful and tranquil, behind the scenes we’re busy beavering away restoring these ancient woodlands that are now designated as the first National Trust national forest of Wales.
The history of woodland management on the estate goes back hundreds of years, although the management in the latter half of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century has had the most profound impact upon their character. Traditional coppice management in the early 20th century (for the production of hardwood timber and perhaps charcoal) gave way to forestry management in the latter half of the 20th century and the introduction of fast-growing conifer plantations. Since 2010 the removal of large areas of conifer plantation has been carried out with the intention of restoring a greater proportion of native broadleaves in these woods.
Whilst overall the Stackpole Estate Woodlands have the first designated status as a National Forest of Wales, the forest is made up of 26 distinct blocks that make up the whole.They are a critical natural resource that is at the forefront of the National Trust Cymru’s action to mitigate the effects of climate change and restore ecosystems.
We want our woodlands to be part of a functioning ecological network that are ecologically healthy and robust not only to store carbon, but also to provide critical refuges for wildlife struggling to adapt to climate change. We know that healthy and functioning ecosystems are more resilient to pest, diseases and other pressures brought on by the climate emergency. These woodlands are so important in the landscape, providing us with great habitats for wildlife, places for quiet enjoyment and learning, flood prevention and carbon management in the face of rapid climate change.
October 2024
Improvements to the wet woodland habitat in Caroline Grove will be carried out by using leaky woody dams and de-perching the stream channels to encourage water out onto the floodplain during periods of peak flow. As well as improving the core woodland habitat, replicating these natural processes in a controlled way will improve water quality in the Stackpole lakes and mitigate peaks of flow downstream.
This project is funded by the Woodland Investment Grant ( TWIG) and has provided us with the opportunity to fulfil the following objectives
While the largest element of the project has been the eradication of invasive non-native species (INNS) which have been outcompeting our native flora for decades, TWIG has also provided an opportunity to deliver improvements to conservation and access that would not have otherwise been possible.
During 2023 in partnership with specialist contractors we mapped areas affected by invasive species and treated or removed them. We also removed an area of dead or dying conifers and replanted with native broadleaf species
Pathways were cleared and widened and the old woodman’s hut in the car park was conserved and regenerated. This creates a focal point for visitors on arrival and improves understanding of the role woodlands can plan in climate change mitigation.
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