DOCSLIB.ORG

Offcuts the Newsletter of the Oxfordshire Woodland Group

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Offcuts the Newsletter of the Oxfordshire Woodland Group no. 48 Summer 2009 Offcuts the newsletter of the Oxfordshire Woodland Group —Principal field visit 2009— and woodland group annual general meeting Visit the impressive woodland at Watergate Farm nr Bainton, Bicester, courtesy of John Hunter Esq., 1.45pm for 2.00pm Tuesday 22nd September 2009 (see penultimate page for further details). have you got a new e-address? Send it to: [email protected] and help us save on postage! p19 OUDCE group visit to Paradise wood studying habitat restoration in April Contents: p2 Events listing: inside back page Contents 2 2 • Annual subs now due! p2 • Use us or lose us p5 • European Protected Species: seminar report——————————————p6 • Trees to timbers p8 • Oxfordshire Woodland Project: Digest of activities p9 • Project Accounts 2008/9 ———————————————————————————————————p10 • Oxfordshire Woodland Group,Trustees & Annual Report p11 • Grants update: some good news p12 • myForest: the tool for our times ————————————————————————————-p13 • No arm in it p15 • Coppice marketing in Oxfordshire p18 • We need your email——————————————————————————————————————————p19 • Project offices relocation p19 • Crocodile Eyes p20 • Events listing winter/spring 2009/2010 p23 • Become a member of Oxfordshire Woodland Group p24 • Summary of accounts and annual report p25 Pruning in Wild Cherry provenance trials. Paradise Wood Lt Wittenham Annual subs now due Membership of the Oxfordshire Woodland group is now due, so please send in your contributions to this office. The minimum charge is just £10, and should be made payable to the Oxfordshire Wood- land Group and sent to David Rees or Eric Dougliss at Oxfordshire Woodland Project Fletchers House, Park Street, Woodstock, Oxford- shire OX20 1SN We can normally receive your tax back from the government on do- nations net of the £10 subscription, if this applies to you please do return the gift aid form, opposite, with your payment. Thank You! 3 Oxfordshire Woodland Group Gift Aid Declaration I (name in capitals) ……………………………………………………………. Of (full address in capitals)………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………… have made a gift of £…… . to the Oxfordshire Woodland Group, registered charity 1055228. I confirm that I have paid sufficient tax in the UK for the charity to claim back tax against my gift. Signed…………………………………… Date…………………. Registered Charity no. 1055228 Please complete this form and return to us at Oxfordshire Woodland Project OX20 1SN 4 Late winter scene at Besselsleigh Demonstration Wood, north of Abingdon. Timber has been cut into cordwood and stacked in low, safe piles to season. Cordwood should be stacked on bearers to keep it off the ground, not discernable here. This particular supply of timber has since been split into ‘quarter staves’. It will later be extracted from the wood and then crosscut into firewood blocks stored under cover ready for winter use. Splitting twice into quarters increases the drying surface area by half as much again for a medium-sized block. Smaller blocks tend to burn more efficiently in the stove. Use us or lose us! 5 The relevance of the Oxfordshire Woodland Project grows with the recognition of climate change but so do new threats to its survival. David Rees writes... A lot has changed over the past year. All of a sudden, the sustainability message is na- tional news and all the talk is about sustainable fuels. Woodlands sequester carbon from the atmosphere and so are environmentally benign sources of fuel and also (we often forget) building materials. Woodland owners feel the environmental benefits pulling from one end and escalating heating costs pushing at the other. The woodland Project is well positioned to service these needs. The banking disaster is the other big news item. It has badly affected public life right across the globe and the Woodland Project has not been immune. At our grass-roots level, the Project has been damaged by events. Our best shield to further damage is our ongoing performance. So please help me to keep the Project’s service alive by using us to improve your woodland, your new use of firewood or your sustainable use of building timber. I continue to provide a free advisory service and can provide detailed manage- ment services at an agreed cost, often using Radley poplar harvested at 20 years grant aid negotiated on your behalf. I am available to frame up options for improving your use of your existing or potential woodland resource as part of the advisory service. The Project has an impressive list of works in action right across Oxfordshire and I am in a position to be able to take you onto a variety of sites to illustrate the effects of specific courses of action. This is an extension of the Woodland Group’s field visits and forest skills workshops that have proven their worth over 10 years and more. Lets not lose the Project just when we need it most, so… Use Us or Lose Us! Wendy & Andrew Wilson now grow firewood European Protected Species update: 6 pointers for woodland managers Alistair Yeomans* writes... The Oxfordshire Woodland Group hosted an insightful and well attended meeting on 26th February detailing the 2007 amendments to the 1994 European Habitats Regula- tions. The changes present a number of potential implications to woodland manage- ment due to the increase in legal protection for European Protected Species (EPS). Presenters covered the ecological, management and legal factors regarding EPS that woodland owners and managers are required to consider and comply with when working in woodlands. In 2007 the level of protection for EPS was increased to en- sure compliance with the EU Habitats Directive, as set out to the UK Government following a judgement in the European Court of Justice (ECJ). The updated regulations, detailed on the Forestry Commission website (see resources below), now include as an offence any damage or destruction of a breeding site or resting place. Previ- ously if damage was ‘an incidental result of a lawful operation', and reasonable precautions had been taken to avoid it, it would not have been an offence. Therefore there is a risk of woodland operators committing an offence if they have not carried out planned operations carefully, with the necessary checks and sought a licence where required. The European Protected Species currently covered by the regulations that are likely to be found in woodlands are: Bats (all 17 species) Great crested newt Dormouse Sand lizard Otter Smooth snake Situations where a licence is required to carry out forestry operations on sites with EPS can be established through an easy to use checklist produced by the Forestry Commission (see Resources below) in the form of a Yes / No flowchart to assist man- agers with the decision making process regarding forestry operations. The flow chart considers the following points: • The location of the woodland in relation to the mapped habitat ranges of EPS. • Provides details of the sources of information that you can access to find out the likely presence of EPS in your woodland’s locality. 7 • Details woodland characteristics that may indicate the presence of EPS, such as ponds which might be occupied by Great Crested Newts. • Actual evidence or signs of species activity such as otter spraint, nuts gnawed by dormice or leaves folded by newts. The flow chart follows on to provide straight forward guidance on following Good Practise guides and ultimately whether or not a licence is required. The flow chart is on a one side of A4 paper, easy to follow and is set out to minimise the paperwork associated with woodland management planning. Bechsteins Bat Steve Hunt, the National Regulations Manager for the Forestry Commission, reassured the audience by stating that 90% of the time, when FC Good Practice guides are followed, it is business as usual regarding forestry operations and that there had been only one licence application in England to date. Rebecca Isted, Forestry Commission Biodiversity Advisor for England, gave an overview of the resources available for Good Practice for each species. She detailed the available resources (listed below) to support the forestry sector to work within the law regarding habitat regulations and provided practical recommendations, such as avoiding using a chipper under the canopy of a veteran tree, or adopting a rota- tional approach to ride management to ensure continued habitat provision. It is clear that amendments to the European Habitats Regulations have caused a degree of consternation amongst the forestry sector particularly as there is potential for prosecu- tion if EPS regulations are ignored. The most salient point for woodland managers was that it is essential to be able to clearly demonstrate that, as part of the woodland man- agement planning process, European Protected Species have been sufficiently consid- ered and that operations carried out have complied with necessary provisions for EPS. The following resources provide useful links to support the planning of forestry opera- tions regarding EPS. If a woodland manager has any questions or doubts regarding EPS regulations then communicating with your local Forestry Commission woodland officer will provide the necessary support. Resources: Full details of EPS Good Practice guidance, legal requirements and downloadable checklists can be found on the Forestry Commission website - http://www.forestry.gov.uk/england-protectedspecies *Alistair Yeomans is Director of Forestry for the Sylva Foundation: www.Sylva.org.uk Trees to Timbers 8 Ken Hume, Trustee to the OWG writes… The Oxfordshire Buildings Record and The Oxfordshire Woodland Group are currently in the process of examining old timber framed houses, barns and mills in Oxfordshire to establish both the historic building practices and materials em- ployed in their construction. Most people believe that old timber framed houses were built using only oak but following our initial study of buildings in the south east of the county early results indicate that other timbers were also employed including elm, hazel & black poplar and some softwoods.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Creating the Environment for Growth Strategic Environmental and Economic
    Creating the Environment for Growth the Environment Creating Our Priorities Creating the Environment for Growth Strategic Environmental and Economic Deliver and attract specialist and flexible skills at all levels, across all sectors, as Investment Plan for Oxfordshire required by our businesses, with full, inclusive employment and fulfilling jobs. Provide the quality environment and choice of homes needed to support growth and capitalise upon the exceptional quality of life, vibrant economy and the dynamic urban and rural communities of our county. Encourage innovation led growth, underpinned by Oxfordshire’s strengths in University research and development, business collaboration and supply chain potential. Allow people to move freely, connect easily and provide the services, environment and facilities needed by a dynamic, growing and dispersed economy. If you require this document in any other format, please contact [email protected] or telephone 01865 261433 01865 261433 [email protected] www.oxfordshirelep.com Designed & printed by Hunts, December 2015 www.hunts.co.uk Creating the Environment for Growth: Strategic Environmental and Economic Investment Plan for Oxfordshire 71 • Led by the Canal & River Trust, the estimated cost of the works and promotion amounts to £507,000. The path could be completed within a year. • Wychwood Centre: A new centre for conservation, landscape and historical learning will be created, focusing on the Wychwood Forest area and based in the north of Oxfordshire. The centre, a physical building with adjoining land, will create opportunities to learn, explore and celebrate the landscapes, wildlife, habitats and historical context, including rural crafts, of the once royal hunting forest of Wychwood. The forest area encompasses 120 square miles inside the Cotswolds AONB.
    [Show full text]
  • In the Newsletter This Month Meet Judith, the New SWOG Co-Ordinator
    Newsletter - February 2013 In the Newsletter this Month A new year, and a new co-ordinator for SWOG. After the amazing work that Tra- cy has done over the last five years, we bid a warm welcome to Judith Millidge, who will be taking over her role in organizing meetings, networking, membership, organizing walks and all the other key tasks that make SWOG happen. If you want to organize a meeting in your woods, or a walk through your woods, or to join SWOG, then get in touch with Judith. Sarah carries on editing the newsletter, and Rich carries on editing the web site. Sarah attended a conference in December 2012 to discuss woodlands from the per- spective of the small woodland owner. Taking a bottom-up, rather than top-down approach, this conference was attended by the many who completed the British Woodlands Survey in 2012. A full report is in this month’s newsletter. Andy Hunt has also written a really interesting article taking a permaculture perspective on rhododendron control—definitely worth a read. There is a lot of news to catch up with, after a two month break. We are eagerly anticipating the Government response to the Independent Forestry Panel report at the end of January, but in the meantime, there are plenty of other things happen- In this issue ing to get your thinking. We also have an increasing number of events being notified for 2013—courses, conferences and meetings. We have listed as many of these as possible so Welcome our new SWOG you can get the dates into your diaries.
    [Show full text]
  • The Use of Molecular Markers and Morphological Leaf Traits for Species Identification in the Future Trees Trust Oak Bsos and Plus Tree Collections
    The use of molecular markers and morphological leaf traits for species identification in the Future Trees Trust oak BSOs and plus tree collections Interim Report David Boshier1,2 and Graham Muir1 1Department of Plant Sciences, University of Oxford 2Earth Trust Introduction This report covers specific research that provides information to ensure Future Trees Trust oak breeding work continues on a sound scientific footing. While selected plus trees were identified as either Q. petraea or Q. robur both species were included in the Future Trees Trust Breeding Seedling Orchards. The breeding strategy noted the need to split the two species. If the BSOs and any other orchards are to be registered under the National register as ‘qualified’ and later as ‘tested’ there needs to be complete removal of one of the species at each BSO at roguing. Although hybridisation between the two species maybe low it can be high at some sites, particularly where background levels of external pollen are high, as may be the case in the BSOs. The study aimed to clarify the IDs of selected plus trees, and the extent of any hybridisation or miss-collection in the BSO progeny. This will be crucial to the final roguing and selection within the BSOs. The study used 8 nSSRs (microsatellites in 2 multiplexes) that had previously been shown to discriminate between Q. robur and Q. petraea. These were used to id FTT grafted oak plus tree selections and some of the related progeny arrays in the oak BSO at Paradise Wood. The results from the molecular study are correlated with a number of morphological measures of leaves that are also considered to be discriminatory using three different approaches (German-Degen http://software.bfh- inst2.de/software.html#Eiche, French-Kremer et al.
    [Show full text]
  • Public Asked to Help Survey Health of Ash Trees New Ash Tree Survey Launched
    Press Release 22nd April 2014 Public asked to help survey health of ash trees New ash tree survey launched The Living Ash Project is asking members of the public to report information about the health of ash trees. They are especially interested in those that may have some tolerance to the disease that is threatening Britain’s second‐most common broadleaved tree – Chalara ash dieback. The Living Ash Project aims to identify trees that are tolerant to ash dieback. There are an estimated 120 million ash trees in Britain’s woodlands and hedgerows. Evidence from Denmark, where Chalara ash dieback is more prevalent, indicates that approximately 1% of trees show good tolerance to the disease. While tolerant trees may regenerate naturally in some woodlands, identifying tolerant trees is urgently needed so as to ensure a genetically diverse and resilient population for future woodland planting. Identifying tolerant trees and including their progeny in breeding programmes run by the Living Ash Project will enable the large‐scale production of resilient trees. The project is employing citizen science ‐ asking members of the public to help in gathering information ‐ to aid in the identification of tolerant trees. Working with the University of East Anglia’s Adapt Group, a new function has been added to the AshTag app. By logging into the site at https://www.ashtag.org/sightings/submit, anyone can report on the health of an ash tree, not just this year, but over the next few years. Gabriel Hemery, Chief Executive at the Sylva Foundation says: “The launch of this survey is a milestone in the development of the project.
    [Show full text]
  • Commonwealth Forestry News
    Commonwealth Forestry News No.25 June 2004 ISSN 1463–3868 Contents: Chairman’s Column One issue that has begun to dominate privilege is access to and a role in Chairman’s Column discussion within the secretariat and Commonwealth Forestry Conferences; Committees is the financial situation and, • Networking, contacts and information Association News in my short period as Chairman, it has sharing through journal, newsletter, AGM struck me that the Association needs once website and meetings; CFA and the societal agenda more to review its objectives, focus and • Support for young scientists and Commonwealth Organisations modus operandi within the current and managers, courses, study tours and May Tour by UK Branch foreseeable financial resources, although training attachments; CFA and civil society this is not to suggest a large and expensive • Recognition of professional excellence The Queen’s Award external review. With the support of all by awards. Young Forester Award members and particularly with the active involvement of the members of all These benefits go to individual members of In Memoriam Committees and the Regional and National the CFA as well as Commonwealth Chairs, I believe that the Chairman, Vice- Government Forestry Departments and Around the World Presidents, Executive Committee members commercial companies and other forestry UNFF-4 and Secretariat staff can draw up plans to institutions that are members. We should SIDS meet the challenges that now face the particularly seek to revitalize membership Future International Arrangements Association. of government departments and institutions Essentially the Association currently has responsible for forestry administration, Forestry meetings insufficient income to maintain its activities research and education.
    [Show full text]
  • Bifor) at the University of Birmingham (TPW0045
    Written evidence submitted by the Birmingham Institute of Forest Research (BIFoR) at the University of Birmingham (TPW0045) Introduction The University of Birmingham’s Institute of Forest Research (BIFoR) was founded to provide natural science, social science, and cultural research of relevance to forested landscapes anywhere in the world, with a particular focus on the UK. By forested landscapes we mean any landscape in which trees play a significant role: ancient woodlands; productive forest stands; agricultural land; and the urban forests in which the vast majority of UK citizen’s live. Of particular relevance for our evidence below are: (i) our Free-Air CO2 Enrichment (FACE) facility, which, alongside two other similar facilities in North America and Australia, is the largest global- change experiment in the world; and (ii) our Forest Edge Doctoral Scholarship Programme, which is the UK’s largest cohort of PhD researchers focused on interdisciplinary forest research. This response was prepared by Professor Christine Foyer, Professor Robert Jackson, Professor Robert MacKenzie and Dr Sami Ullah. Executive summary ● We support the principle of planting more trees in the English landscape. But this must be done in the right way, with the decision making underpinned by scientific evidence. If planting is carried out in the wrong way, we could see large scale losses of trees and damage to the landscape - a waste of taxpayers’ money. ● Government tree planting targets are ambitious, since the UK has one of the lowest rates of forest coverage in Europe, and only just ambitious enough to meet net zero. If the Government is serious about delivering on the net-zero commitment, they should also commit to effective management of existing forested landscapes - since our FACE research shows that established woodlands will play a vital role in offsetting CO2 emissions.
    [Show full text]
  • A Future with Broadleaved Trees a Strategy for the Improvement of Broadleaved Trees in Britain and Ireland 2013-2025
    A future with broadleaved trees A strategy for the Improvement of broadleaved trees in Britain and Ireland 2013-2025 Supported by Thanks and acknowledgements Many people and organisations from across the Alba Trees National Botanic Gardens Dublin forestry and ecological sectors have been involved Abbey Forestry National Forest Company in the formation of this document. Agri-Foods Biotechnology Institute National Trust Association of Wildlife Trusts Natural England It builds on and supports Biodiversity Action Plans Bangor University Natural Resources Wales and national policies for forestry and forest science Castle Howard Estate Nonesohardy Nurseries and highlights areas where we believe further Country Land and Business Association Oakover Nursery consideration is required. Coed Cymru Plantlife Future Trees Trust, Earth Trust and Forest Cheviot Trees Pro Silva Research wish to thank all those that have COILLTE Pryor & Rickett Silviculture contributed to this and all the discussions and CONFOR Royal Forestry Society workshops that lead to its production: Continuous Cover Forestry Group Scottish Natural Heritage CRANN SelectFor © Forestry Commission Crowders Small Woods Association Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine Society of Irish Foresters Department of Agriculture and Rural Sylva Foundation Development, Northern Ireland Timber Trades Federation Duchy of Cornwall Teagasc English Heritage The Tree Council Flora Locale Tree Council of Ireland Forestart University of Aberdeen Forestry Commission University College Dublin, Forestry Department Forestry Service of Northern Ireland University of Exeter Grown in Britain University of St Andrews Horticultural Trades Association University of Edinburgh Institute of Chartered Foresters UPM Tilhill Irish Timber Growers’ Association Wee Tree Nursery Maelor Forest Nurseries Wood for Good Manchester Metropolitan University Woodland Trust Mid-Western Forestry Services Woodlands of Ireland We are most grateful to the Patsy Wood Trust and Forest Research for their generous support of this project.
    [Show full text]
  • Journal 2020
    Woodland £5 Heritage 2020 Peter Savill Remembered Wild Service Tree The Cornish Pilot Gig Fenland Black Oak Patron HRH The Prince of Wales Woodland Heritage 2020 1 Whitney Sawmills Contents Gearing up our supply chain 4 Branching Out – A collaboration with Specialists in cutting and Dr Peter Savill 1939 - 2019 6 John Makepeace and the RSA 66 The Peter Savill Award 2020 8 Woodland to Workshop Course – September 2019 68 manufacturing UK grown timber A celebration to remember 10 A year in the in the woods – Take 1 (including Prince of Wales Award winner 2019) 70 International Year of Plant Health 2020 - Why plant health matters – and how you can help 12 A year in the in the woods – Take 2 72 Based in Herefordshire, Whitney Sawmills is well established as a leading British sawmill. Field Weekend 2019 14 Book Review – Lumberjills, Britain’s forgotten army 73 For many years we have supplied fresh sawn Oak and Douglas Fir beams as well as air and kiln-dried Field Weekend Snapshots 2019 24 You can’t see the Trees for the Woods – timber including Oak, Ash, Sweet Chestnut, Sycamore, Cherry, Elm, and Poplar. An Artist’s Residency in Epping Forest 74 Our Field Weekend 2020 27 The Wild Service world 78 We are also renowned for providing unusual and specialist hardwoods and softwoods for particular The Woodland Heritage Garthwaite Travel Bursaries 28 Continuous Cover Forestry Group – restoration projects as well as furniture making and house-building. The Best Use of British Timber Award – Events Programme 2020 84 Celebration of Craftsmanship & Design 2019 30 Winning the Best Use of British Timber award – Our aim is to continue to source an increasing amount of our log supplies from well-managed UK Whitney Sawmills – supplying timber and learning 32 What it means for my career 85 woodlands and estates, helping promote the sustainability and legacy of our native timber.
    [Show full text]
  • Celebrating Sir Martin and Lady Audrey Wood's 90Th Birthdays 2017
    Department of Physics Celebrating Sir Martin designed by www.imageworks.co.uk and Lady Audrey Wood’s 90th birthdays 2017 My parents, Martin and Audrey, A MAGNETIC VENTURE are the epitome of everything that is good about humankind. They are generous of spirit, of time, of resources, and ideas. Martin and Audrey met while they were students at Cambridge and They believe in giving back in multitudes that which they have married in 1955. Shortly afterwards they moved to Oxford where benefitted from themselves. We often talk about networks, Martin began work as a Senior Research Officer at the Department but rarely with the sense of a mesh that embraces and of Physics, Clarendon Laboratory, building some of the first strengthens, reaching across many levels of society. That is what Martin and Audrey have superconducting magnets. created over more than sixty years together. Realising the commercial potential of this, Martin and Audrey Through an amazing partnership that has always played to their strengths, they have founded Oxford Instruments in 1959. The University of Oxford’s first 1 created and nurtured not just a hugely successful commercial business in Oxford 2 spin-out company was established in the Woods’ garden shed and Instruments but also outstanding charities that reflect the interests and passions that have steered their lives. went on to become a huge commercial success. Superconducting magnets were in demand for MRI scanners all over the world, and They have shared their love of nature, the countryside, forestry and environmental in 1983 the company floated on the stock market. This enabled sustainability through the Earth Trust and the Sylva Foundation while actively supporting Martin and Audrey to found and support science and environmental groups such as Wild Oxfordshire and the University of Oxford’s Department of Plant organisations and projects across Oxfordshire which, as you will Sciences.
    [Show full text]
  • Forest Research Report 2006 Walnut Trials at Lount, National Forest
    Forest Research Report 2006 WALNUT TRIALS AT LOUNT, NATIONAL FOREST Contract report submitted in fulfilment of the Annual Management Agreement between the National Forest Company and the Northmoor Trust Jo Clark Forestry Research Manager, Northmoor Trust Karen Russell Forestry and Woodlands Specialist, East Malling Research March 2007 Introduction Four research trials exist at Lount Wood, Leicestershire. These are three black walnut, Juglans nigra, combined progeny and provenance trials, and a silviculture trial, investigating the effects of nurse species on various walnut species and hybrids. Details of these trials are provided in previous annual reports. The trials at Lount were visited by staff from the Northmoor Trust and East Malling Research in October 2006. Figure 1 shows the layout of the black walnut trials at Lount and their relationship to each other. This report summarises progress to date with these trials, and is submitted in fulfilment of the Annual Management Agreement between the National Forest Company and the Northmoor Trust. Details of further work that the National Forest may wish to undertake are included at the end. Aims 1. To investigate planting mixtures that promote the growth of walnut species and hybrids in terms of stem quality and vigour, leading to a reduction in rotation time. 2. To evaluate planting mixtures which create, in line with aim one, additional financial and environmental incentives to landowners. 3. To test a wide-range of black walnut (Juglans nigra L.) material from across its natural range for suitability to produce timber in the UK. Silviculture Trial The silviculture trial at Lount was established in 2001.
    [Show full text]
  • Earth Trust Annual Review Championing Accessible Green Spaces Where All the Living World Thrives 2
    PagesPages A4 -B-5 2017 - 2018 Earth Trust Annual Review Championing accessible green spaces where all the living world thrives 2 Contents 3 An introduction from Jayne Manley, Chief Executive 4-7 A snapshot of our achievements 8-11 Earth Trust in action 12-13 The Future: Our new strategy for 2018-23 14-15 Income & Expenditure 16 With thanks to... Our Vision To be a champion for accessible We are proud to have been awarded: green spaces where the living world thrives and where people develop a deep understanding of their environment and their role in caring for it PagesPages A4 3-B-5 An introduction from Dr Jayne Manley CEO of Earth Trust At the centre of Earth Trust’s mission and vision is Throughout our 35 years, access to the natural world and environmental education the core value that access have been fundamental. Our strategy over the last five years established the Earth Trust and our reputation to significantly engage people with their green spaces. to natural green spaces is During 2017/18 we redefined our focus and launched our new five year Strategic Plan. vital for people We are delighted to be able to share our vision with you on page 12. Jayne Manley - Chief Executive Our green spaces deliver important public benefits and provide popular recreational places for people from near and far - Wittenham Clumps and the surrounding Earth Trust Farm receive between 150,000 and 200,000 visits per year. But the world is changing and the challenges we face are enormous: we are experiencing greater interest than ever before and the prediction is, that with more homes and businesses planned within South Oxfordshire, visitor numbers will continue to increase.
    [Show full text]
  • Silviculture of Common Walnut Walnut (Juglans Regia)
    Silviculture of common walnut Jo Clark July 2016 Walnut (Juglans regia) is an attractive species to grow for landowners. When grown on the right site, it can produce a final crop on a 50 year rotation, and can be more valuable than veneer oak. However, it has the reputation to be tricky to get right, and to produce valuable straight stems. Earth Trust and Future Trees Trust have established several walnuts trials over the years in partnership with the National Forest and Forest Enterprise. These include a silviculture trial at Jaguar Lount Wood in Leicestershire which investigates the effects of various tree and shrub nurse combinations of the growth of common, black and hybrid walnuts, as well as several progeny and provenance trials for common and black walnut planted between 1998 and 2005. Several of the walnuts in the silviculture trial at Lount Wood, particularly the black walnut were of very poor form, and treatments (summer and winter) were carried out to investigate the effects of stumping and the growth response in eight year old walnut (Clark and Brocklehurst 2011). The results were so favourable – most walnuts stumped in winter caught up with non-stumped walnuts within two years – that it was decided to carry out this treatment on a common walnut trial which was suffering from severe dieback in Paradise Wood in south Oxfordshire. In 1998, combined progeny and provenance trials for common walnut were planted at three sites in lowland England. These are at Northwick Estate in Gloucestershire, Maunsel Estate in Somerset, and the Earth Trust Estate in Oxfordshire.
    [Show full text]