Regeneration of Eastwood woodland area

The Landscape Team over the Winter months have resumed the ongoing woodland management programme to compliment the Eastwood Nature Trail. The process has taken approximately one month to complete, ensuring that the work has been carried out so as not to disturb bird nesting season.

Woodlands have always been a very valuable resource. In the past they provided fuel, timber and materials for hedging. They were actively worked; timber trees were felled and new saplings planted and allowed to develop, coppice was cut on either a long or short term cycle and hedges were laid and managed. This treatment gave rise to a mosaic of different types and sizes of woodlands within the countryside that were connected by a network of hedges.

The management programme was carried out as follows :

Hazel has been coppiced to produce new growth (see above). Ivy has been severed on some mature trees but left on some others to keep a balance of insect and bird population. Severing of ivy is carried out to prevent trees from becoming disfigured and top heavy, causing them to become susceptible to wind blown damage. Laurels were removed because they are none native species and can become invasive.

Insect stacks were also created from some of the dead wood, to encourage more insect activity (see above). Any dead trees were left in the woodland and turned into natural seating. No living trees were felled to make any of the seating or footpaths (see below). The seating was carved by Tim Rumble, a member of the landscape Team.

The replanting programme that has taken place so far is Beech, Hazel and Elm, which we have introduced from Dutch Elm Disease resistant stock. This will hopefully bring back a native tree that has been lost for many a year.

The Woodland Walk sign was hand carved by Dave French, who is a member of the Landscape Team, four more will be created to mark various points within the woodland.

We have already noticed that some of the bird boxes are being used by both Great Tits and Blue Tits. We are in the process of making more boxes, to include bat and Dormouse boxes to provide homes for these species.

Future events to follow will be informal woodland walks for schools and any other interested individuals, who would like to enhance their knowledge of managed woodlands and wildlife.

Contact David Hunt , Landscape Manager on 5872.