Chiltern Woodlands Project News of the Woods No 48 Summer 2012 and Annual Report 2011-2012

Chiltern Woodlands Project is a registered charity founded in 1989. It is based in the Chilterns Conservation Board’s offices. It works across the Chilterns Natural Area, which includes all the Chilterns AONB See our webpages at www.chilternsaonb.org/woodlands-project Managing Chiltern Woods

Autumn colours - Boxmoor Trust Woods

The Chiltern Society is delighted he Chilterns AONB is famous for its beech woods. Many of these woods to sponsor this Newsletter are ancient. The Chiltern Woodlands Project's aim is to promote and Latest news encourage the sensitive and sustainable care and management of woodland 700 gates and still more to be installed T in the . The Chiltern Society runs a campaign to replace stiles with kissing gates in order to improve Work is across five linked themes: access for all walkers to Chiltern footpaths. A. Landscape: to protect and enhance the wooded landscape of the Chilterns. This work is done in conjunction with B. Biodiversity: to maintain and enhance nature in the Chilterns. landowners and county councils. C. Economy: to promote a sustainable woodland economy in the Chilterns; including To date more than 700 kissing gates have been the use of timber and wood fuel. installed by our volunteers in D. Historic Environment: to raise awareness and interest in the history and and Oxfordshire and there are a further archaeology of woods across the Chilterns 70 gates waiting to be installed. E. Community: to increase awareness, understanding, and enjoyment of Chiltern We are developing stile-free walks. woodland. For details of walks and cycle rides, conservation groups and membership The Project offers an advisory service to help bring woods into management, working 01494 771250 in partnership with others including contractors and volunteer groups. www.chilternsociety.org.uk

The Chiltern Woodlands Project is supported by the Chilterns Conservation Board, Buckinghamshire County Council, Three Rivers, South Oxfordshire, Chiltern, and Wycombe District Councils, Dacorum Borough Council, the Forestry Commission and the Chiltern Society. Registered in England as a Company Limited by guarantee no. 2357329. Registered charity no. 1002512.

Chair man’s Report took over as Chairman from Cherry Aston in wholesale and retail markets. It is fair to say that forestry and the September of last year. My first and very growing of trees have formed a large part of my Ipleasurable duty is to thank her for 10 years life! I hope that the experience I have acquired of tireless work on behalf of the Chiltern can be used to good effect during my Woodlands Project. She leaves the project in rude chairmanship of the Project. good health, with a robust and dedicated committee, who have helped and guided me in my In March John organised a highly successful first year. Chiltern Woodlands Conference which was attended by some 50 delegates. I can also report My parents bought Greenfield Farm, where I live, that the revision and updating of the “Ancient in 1945, so I have spent my entire life in the Woodland Inventory” for the Chilterns AONB is Chilterns. When they purchased the farm there now complete and was launched in July. The where 57 acres of woodland and since then we area has been systematically mapped using have been able to add to this and our holding now modern GIS and another 1,231 hectares of stands at 360 acres, all of which is actively ancient woodland has been added to bring the managed. In addition to the woods we also have some 120,000 total to 11,058 hectares covering 13.2% of the Chilterns AONB. Christmas trees growing on the farm, which are sold in the Andrew Ingram, July 2012 Annual Report 2011-2012 For the period from 1 April 2011 to 31 March 2012

The Chiltern Woodlands Project’s main activities are in the business plan 2009 – 2012, which is being revised and updated. Continue to provide a range of expert advisory and training services supporting woodland owners, to improve management skills and knowledge so that a greater area of woodland is included within long term sustainable management plans.

Expand our influence to ensure that woods in the Chilterns get the support they need, and to build a sustainable rural economy, including energy resources.

Raise awareness, understanding and enjoyment of the Chiltern woodlands through the website, newsletters, publications, and events.

Help owners restore ancient woods including plantations on ancient woodland sites.

Specific work items include: Supporting the Chilterns Conservation Board's AONB Management Plan 2008 -13 and its revision

Promoting the management of grey squirrels, deer and other pests. The main areas of work in the last year included: Woodland advisory work District Number of owners Area (ha) Surveys and reports were written for The Chiltern Society on six potential sites with a total area of over 28ha. So advice or visited Chiltern 22 267.3 assistance was given on about 600 ha of woodland in the last

Wycombe 10 92.0 year. South Bucks 1 9.0 Of the above, 12 owners have their woods in Forestry South Oxon 11 82.0 Commission approved long term plans; another 7 plans have Three Rivers 2 46.6 been submitted and are awaiting agreement. Felling licences Dacorum 5 73.9 have been obtained for a further 8 owners. The Project has 1 0.2 been asked to write 3 more long term plans and apply for two Central Beds 0 felling licences in the coming year. At least 32 owners are Reading 1 1.5 being helped by the Project to get consent for work in their woods. The Project charges for this work. Total 53 572. 5

2 LEADER funded events and information sheets

A visit to Woodmans Wood in November considered the felling and sale of conifers (see photos). Events in February to a mobile sawmill, operated by Steve Roberts, and a static sawmill, used by the National Trust at Ashridge, showed the utilisation of timber. A fourth workshop on woodland management plans and timber assessment was held at Stoke Row in March. Thanks to Alistair Yoemans of the Sylva Foundation for his help with these workshops.

Work is planned to invite local contractors to put their details on the MyForest website directory of forestry businesses. www.sylva.org.uk/myforest/directories.php

The information sheets can be downloaded from the Chiltern Woodlands Project's pages on the Chilterns AONB website see www.chilternsaonb.org/woodlands-project

LEADER is also able to fund timber assessments in small woods (under 3ha) so if you would like a visit please contact the Project. Woodland assessment workshop near Stoke Row

above and below: Felling and replanting in Woodmans Wood Stack of 36 foot long Douglas Fir

Lorry loading bay, funded with a grant from Wood Fuel East

Angling Spring Wood.. ..we help Chiltern District Council to manage this wood. Larch were thinned in the wood during the year and horse logging here featured on BBC Countryfile in the autumn. Prestwood Nature volunteers continued clearing some of the holly that is spreading through this wood, shading out the spring flowers such as bluebells, and opened up a new path through one of the plantations.

Forwarder extracting larch 3 Bottom Wood Group volunteers Sunday morning workparties were held in The Chiltern Society's ancient woodland nature reserve. Volunteers replanted two small clearings, where firewood was felled in 2011, and also put in two deer exclosure plots to enable the impact of deer browsing on coppice regrowth and flora to be monitored, as part of the Forestry Commission grant scheme agreement.

Bottom Wood volunteers tree planting

Knocking in a stake for a deer exclosure

Other work Woodland archaeology workshops John continues to assist the Chilterns Conservation Board at a Two woodland archaeology workshops were again held at number of its regular meetings including the Environment Pigotts Wood on 2nd & 3rd March, with 18 participants. Forum, Historic Environment, Land Management, Wood Fuel and Commons. Woodland archaeology workshop at Oxhey Wood (18 participants for Three Rivers District Council and with He is also on the local committee of the Royal Forestry Hertfordshire Countryside Management Services). Society Oxon / Bucks division. John led guided walks to look at woodland archaeology on Chilterns LEADER Local Action Group (LAG) both Naphill Common in June and in the Forestry Commission's John Morris and Cherry Aston attended meetings. LEADER Queen and Fire Woods at Christmas Common in February. still has some funding available to support the purchase of forestry equipment in the Chilterns AONB. Consultancy Services John was asked by the Forestry Commission to carry out a Wood Fuel East steering group covers the Eastern region, survey and report on the history and features of part of including Herts & Beds, with grants to support woodland Woods, to provide information for a planning owners and contractors to invest in harvesting and processing application to redevelop the car parking and other facilities in equipment and related infrastructure. the wood.

John also attends the Forestry Commission's Applicants Focus Group which discussed the implementation of the English Woodland Grant Scheme and related subjects; and is a member of the Woodland Initiatives steering group.

John gave 9 illustrated talks and led 3 guided walks for groups during the year. This included a talk on the Woodland Day Course held at Rewley House, Oxford University in November with 50 participants.

He organised the Chilterns Woodland Conference for the Chilterns Conservation Board. It was held at the Clare Foundation, Saunderton on Friday 16th March with 45 participants The Chilterns Commons Project was launched in September 2011

4 Ancient Woodland Inventory County Boundaries Update Original AWI (FC 2003) The Chiltern Woodlands Project helped Revised AWI update the ancient woodland inventory for Chilterns AONB the whole of the Chilterns AONB. The inventory is maintained by Natural N Km England and used by the Forestry 0 5 10 15 Commission and others to protect this important habitat.

Ancient woods have been continuously wooded since before 1600AD and cannot be replaced or recreated. They contain species, including the trees that although influenced by management by man, are also semi- natural in that they reflect the local growing conditions.

This work added small ancient woods under 2 ha that have not been included before and also reviewed and revised the boundaries of other ancient woods. It is part of a programme that has been updating the inventory across South

East England in recent years. Victoria © Natural England copyright. Contains Ordnance Survey data Benstead Hume carried out the desk © Crown copyright and database right 2012. © Ordnance Survey Licence no. 100044050 & 100022021 based map work. Comparison of the Ancient Woodland Inventories for the Chilterns The field surveys were carried out by the Chiltern Woodlands Project from late July to September in 2010, April to October in 2011 and late March and April 2012. Our thanks go to both Rachel Sanderson and Alison Woods who assisted John Morris with these assessments. In total, 432 sites were visited, which amounted to 1,142 ha of woodland (about 5.27% of the Chiltern's total woodland resource). Of this area, about 53% were accepted as provisional ancient woodland on the basis of the field survey data interpreted alongside the other historical information available. 558 ha were judged to be of recent secondary origin or else too degraded to be defined as ancient woodland and thus eliminated from the inventory. A further 142 sites or 164 ha of woodland were briefly visited but either access was not possible or the site was no longer wooded or too degraded to carry out a full survey. The update covers all of the Chilterns AONB and also Chiltern, South Bucks and Wycombe Districts and Dacorum Borough.

The bluebells end at a boundary bank that defines the edge of an A report is available on www .chilternsaonb.or g ancient woodland, near Tring The results will in due course be published by Natural England on the ancient woodland maps available on www .magic.gov .uk Mike Render's PhD research reported in our Pilot Ancient and also on the Forestry Commission's Land Information Search Woodland Survey in 2007 showed an additional 689 ha of small www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/infd-6dfkmn woods under 2ha in the AONB, which brings the total woodland The new survey includes woods under cover up to 18,277ha. This ancient two hectares and the total area of ancient woodland inventory revision shows woodland now identified in the Chilterns that 60.5% of all woods are ancient, AONB is 11,058 hectares, a net increase of making the Chilterns one of the most 1,231 hectares, covering 13.19% of the important ancient woodland AONB. landscapes in England Flora includes bluebells, woodruff and yellow archangel

5 The Woodfuel Woodland Improvement Grant is a grant that supports the sustainable production of woodfuel and other timber products by improving the infrastructure of roads and hard standings etc. Work needs to meet the UK Forest Standard but the basis for support is economic rather than environmental or social. A long term woodland management plan needs to be in place to get these capital grants. This grant is open for applications from Summer 2011 for 2 years, so time is running out to apply for this funding. www .forestry.gov.uk/ewgs-wigwoodfuel

The Forestry Commission as part of its Management Grants encouraged owners to put in deer exclosure plots to monitor the impact of deer on the ground vegetation and natural regeneration. (see photo right) Deer exclosure plot in Angling Spring Wood

Glis glis - the Fat or Edible Dormouse were much in evidence Forest School groups continued to make use of both last autumn in many woods (and houses) across the central Bottom Wood and Pigotts Wood for their regular outdoor Chilterns. They were introduced from Europe at Tring Park in learning activities. 1902. They are expanding their range and have now been found near Stokenchurch and Hemel Hempstead. They cause damage Forestry Regulation Task Force - John was a member to trees by gnawing neat of the government's Forestry Regulation Task Force which rectangular patches in the looked at how to better regulate forestry during 2011 and bark. They seem to reported to the minister in September 2011. One success has particularly like wild been to exclude forestry businesses (and woodland volunteers) cherry and some conifers, from paying licence fees to the Gang Master such as Scots pine, Licensing Authority. causing the tops to snap off. Natural England Task Force estimate the population to Forestry Regulation be 10,000 but I believe egulation Task the population may be I would like to thank the Forestry R nearer 200,000, if the Force for their commitment to. tacklingI am very the grateful issue of to area of woodlands and red tape in the forestry sector density in some woods in the Task Force members and Chair for the work they their expanded range is have put into their report, as well as to the many taken into account. Glis glis on hawthorn respondents to their questionnaire. In this response, we describe how Government will take forward their recommendations, as we introduce an even greater focus on a risk based approach to forestry regulation which has its basis in planning forThis long report term and the sustainable forest management.anel on Forestry that we advice of the Independent P expect to receive in June 2012 make it an exciting time for forestry, and I look forward to working with the sector to deliver on the challenges set us by the Regulation Task Force.

Lord Taylor of Holbeach CBE Parliamentary under Secretary of State, Defra

Scots pine top snapped off due to Glis glis damage

6 News Board of Directors English Woodland Grant Scheme. Cherry Aston - Chairman (until AGM 23 Sept 2011) Woodland Creation Grant. A new grant was launched on Andrew Ingram - Chairman (from AGM 23 Sept 2011) the 30th May 2012. Priorities are new woodlands: Adrian Lepper - Company Secretary For wildlife, particularly where they can act as Howard Pool - Hon Treasurer protective buffers and link important woodland habitats Jeremy Hodge or other associated natural areas Richard Pushman - Buckinghamshire County Council To help reduce flood risk, improve water quality and prevent soil erosion Nigel Shepherd - Chiltern District Council That are resilient and can adapt to climate change David Harris - Chiltern Society (Vice Chairman) Near to where people live, particularly within the urban Keith Muras - Chiltern Society fringe John Nowell Smith - (until May 2012) That provide access and recreation Heather Barrett-Mold - Chilterns Conservation Board To enhance the landscape and restore former industrial Steve Patrick land Janet Simmonds To create productive woodlands and wood products Susan Howkins that support the rural economy and capture carbon

The grants now provide a minimum of £2,800 per ha for Staff broadleaves and £2,200 per ha for conifers and additional John Morris, Director further contribution of £2,000 per ha is for targeted priorities. Applications will be on a first in basis. We are most grateful for the continuing support of the Chilterns www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/infd-6dcegu Conservation Board, who provide the project with office accommodation in Chinnor.

UK Forestry Standard Officers from key partners are members of the steering group, This document, produced in 2011, outlines the context for which meets at the Board meetings, our thanks to Steve Rodrick forestry in the UK, sets out the approach of the UK Chief Officer Chilterns Conservation Board, Richard Pearce of governments to sustainable forest management, defines the Forestry Commission, Martin Gammie of South Oxfordshire standards and requirements, and provides a basis for District Council, Andy McVeigh of Buckinghamshire County regulation and monitoring. It is the practice code for Council and David Stowe of Chiltern District Council. management, and details the conditions that must be met when felling trees, carrying out woodland operations and receiving grants. The AGM to approve the accounts and elect the Board for the coming year will be held on 25 September 2012 in Chinnor. It contains guidelines which cover the following subjects: Biodiversity Financial Summary Climate change Payroll services were provided by Trudy and Andrew Otter of Historic environment Avocet Accounting and Business Services Ltd of Longwick, Landscape Bucks People Soil Howard Pool carried out the book keeping role on a voluntary Water basis.

The UK Forestry Standard The UK governments' approach Annual accounts are prepared by George Hay & Co London. to sustainable forest management, Forestry Commission Copies of these accounts will be available from the office on 2011 is available on www.forestry.gov.uk/ukfs request.

The Natural Environment White Paper (June 2011) includes Income an ambition for a major increase in the area of woodland in Total Income £ 60,323 England, better management of existing woodlands and a renewed commitment to conserving and restoring ancient Expenditure woodlands. Total Expenditure £ 61,066 The woodlands of England have a significant value; primarily as areas of high biodiversity, settings for Loss on year - £ 743 recreational activity, components of high quality landscapes and repositories of carbon (National Ecosystem Assessment (2011) Chapter 8: Woodlands) Photos © John Morris, Chiltern Woodlands Project, unless stated otherwise

7 Woodland Advice for Woodfuel East Are you a woodland owner thinking about managing your land to Latest News produce woodfuel? Uncertain how to start? The Independent Panel on Forestry published their final report on 4th July 2012. It can be read on John Morris has recently been approved as a consultant for www.defra.gov.uk/forestrypanel/reports/ Woodfuel East for woods in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire, and can now offer a subsidised advisory service which will: It highlights that the public forest estate is the single largest Provide initial advice to woodland owners and occupiers provider of outdoor leisure and recreation in England. It is also which enables them to make decisions that will lead to the single largest timber producer, as well as being a vital habitat improved management of their woodland. for wildlife. Research shows that these elements are producing Produce a basic report on the woodland's potential and its annual returns on investment estimated at £400 million. With over capability to support the woodfuel supply chain. 80% of England's woods and forests being outside of the public Provide the basis for more detailed management plans and forest estate, the Panel is calling for more of these woods and plan sustainable woodland management activities. forests to be sustainably managed to create a substantial impact.

Woodfuel East can cover 80% of costs for this advisory service Panel chairman James Jones, Bishop of Liverpool, said: “Most through the Rural Development Programme for England importantly, the public forest estate needs to be free from the (RDPE). Please contact John for more information. electoral cycle, for trees have long lifecycles - decisions taken now are looking to a future that is 50, or even 100, years down See www.woodfueleast.org.uk the line. And the bodies managing the public forest estate and advising woodland owners need to evolve and be free to become much more entrepreneurial. We recommend the expansion of Coming events woodland cover from 10% to 15% by 2060.” It will be interesting to see how the government responds to all Sunday 16th September Chilterns Countryside and Food the recommendations in this report. Festival at Ashridge Book sales Wednesday 26th September 10am - 1pm. LEADER workshop The Cultural Heritage of Chilterns Woods – an illustrated on selecting and marking hardwoods for felling for firewood at guide to archaeological features written by John Morris and Great Bois Wood, Chesham Bois. Booking essential published by the Chiltern Woodlands Project in April 2009 has sold over 960 copies. (155 in the last year) October LEADER workshop “Working with contractors and timber sale agreements”. An indoor session for woodland Special Trees and Woods of the Chilterns was written by owners. Booking essential. volunteers and published in November 2010. Edited by Rachel Sanderson and produced thanks to the efforts of Marie Hanson, The popular Woodland Archaeology workshops will be held in an MA graduate from Oxford Brookes University. Its price is March 2013, dates to be confirmed, for further details contact £16.99 plus post and packing. John Morris The Special Trees and Woods book has now sold some 673 copies (174 in the last year) sales to date raised over £5,800. Due to the high cost of postage the Project now keeps in contact with woodland owners and other partners by email. Do let us Chiltern Woodlands Project partners: have your email address so we can keep you up to date with news and events. CONSERVATION BOARD Chilterns unt CONSERVATION BOARD Co rysid e an S d Fo und od ay Festival 16t h S from ep tem 10am to 4pm ber 2012 Chiltern Woodlands Project at the National Trust Ashridge Estate The Lodge, 90 Station Road Bridgewater Monument, Near Berkhamsted, Herts HP4 1LT Chinnor Adults £3, children free. There is a Oxon OX39 4HA ver the activit small charge for some activities co ies, is cra Tel: 01844 355503 D fts Free parking and in the meadow Email: [email protected] Masses to see and do ind ustr for all the family ies www.chilternsaonb.org/woodlands-project For more information phone: linked with our 4 01442 851 227 or 07788 49 11 40 local countryside

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