Hello, I’m Tom Theed and I’m the Rural Estates Delivery Advisor in the South West for Landmarc Support Services. We are contracted to manage the Defence training estate on behalf of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation.
I am often asked why it’s necessary to fell so many trees in the autumn; why can’t we just let nature look after itself. The answer is surprisingly complex.
![Tree felling has taken place at Erlestoke Woods on Salisbury Plain. [Landmarc Support Services/2016]](https://insideDIO.blog.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2016/11/Erlestoke-01.jpg)
As early as 8,000 years ago trees and woodlands were being managed for fuel and building materials. As agriculture and population developed, the woodlands were cleared and became fragmented, and by the end of the 19th Century woodland cover in the UK was as low as 5% of the land surface.
If you go down to the woods today…
Now woodland cover in the UK is back up to around 13%, but still lower than the rest of Europe. Almost all of it is planted and managed, not the natural wildwood it once was. Modern forestry is largely a commercial enterprise, with the woodlands managed like any crop. But unlike growing corn for cornflakes the timescale for a timber crop can be anything from 30 to 100+ years.
![Felled trees being transported from Erlestoke Woods. [Landmarc Support Services/2016]](https://insideDIO.blog.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2016/11/Erlestoke-forwarding.jpg)
Managing our woodland for future generations
All forestry operations on the Defence Training Estate are managed by Landmarc on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.
![Landmarc manage the Defence Training Estate on behalf of MOD. [Landmarc Support Services/2016]](https://insideDIO.blog.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2016/11/Erlestoke-threshold.jpg)
I can understand people’s concern, especially when they see the harvester (a large purpose-built machine that fells and processes the trees) and the sudden change in the wood’s appearance that it brings.
![The harvester in action at Erlestoke Woods. [Landmarc Support Services/2016]](https://insideDIO.blog.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2016/11/Erlestoke-harvesting-site.jpg)
Recovery
I’ve been involved in woodland management for over 20 years and it always amazes me to see how quickly a clear-felled area recovers. The churning of the topsoil by the machines opens up the seed-bank and the increase in sunlight reaching the ground means that seeds which may have lain dormant for years suddenly germinate.
In order to help speed up the regeneration of the woodland, we will be planting trees as well. There will be a mixture of broadleaf species including Oaks, Maples, Beech and Hornbeam along with Pines, Firs and Yew. There will also be Rowan, Crab Apple and Cherry along with scrub species such as Spindle, Hazel and Guelder Rose. In total there will be about 3,600 new trees. These will already be two to three years old and planted in tree tubes to protect them from deer.
The reason for such a varied crop is partly to create a more ‘natural’ woodland, but more importantly it is to ensure the woodland is much more resilient to pests and diseases in the future – a rapidly growing concern for foresters, with the most recent issue being Chalara Ash Die-Back.
So while there is always some short term loss when undertaking any woodland management, there is usually a substantial longer term gain. We also have other major plans for Erlestoke Wood, including the sympathetic restoration of the historic ornamental pond system and network of paths. We will be applying for funding from a number of sources shortly to enable us to complete some of this work and make even more of the woodland accessible.
5 comments
Comment by Ruth Edwards posted on
Good morning
I love the Erlestoke woods and feel SO lucky to enjoy them every day before a busy day! I notice that a couple of trees are leaning very badly annd it seemed to start anfter the last bad winds annd has gradually got worse. The waterlogged ground is presumably listening the roots which day by day are pulling up. I have taken pictures but am concerned that if they fall they will do damage especially as one is very large. Does it possibly need a look by you as experts?? Thank you for all you do 😊
Comment by DIO Communications Team posted on
Hi Ruth, Thanks for letting us know about this. I'll alert the relevant teams to this to check if there's anything we can do.
Comment by Rebecca Milton posted on
Hello, I also really love walking in these woods, especially with my dog on a day like today where it’s absolutely sweltering, but there’s lots of lovely cool shade for us. However, increasingly, I have found that there are motorbikes around - not on the gravel/hard tracks, but on the mud tracks within the woods themselves. Is someone able to let me know if this permitted? It really worries me as it’s a great place for the dog to be off the lead, but I worry she (it I might get run over as these bikes appear out of nowhere. I also worry that it is doing damage to the plants that grow amongst the trees.
Comment by DIO Communications Team posted on
Hi Rebecca, which woodlands are you referring to?
Comment by Rebecca Milton posted on
Sorry - Erlestoke woods, on the edge of Salisbury Plain. Off the side of Pear Tree Hill and Stokes Hill.
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