WPG Management Plan
Oxhey Woods
Date (from/to) April 2012 April 2017
Date of last review June 2006 [UKWAS 2.1.3]
Owner/tenant Three Rivers District Council
Agent/contact Julie Hughes Principal Landscape Officer
Signed declaration of tenure rights and agreements to public availability of the plan [UKWAS 1.1.3/1.1.5/2.1.2]
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1 Background information
1.1 Location Nearest town, village or feature Watford Grid reference TQ 107 925 Total area (ha) 97.7 ha
1.2 Description of the woodland(s) in the landscape Oxhey Woods are a collection of ancient and secondary woods now forming a single unit on the edge of Greater London. At 97.7 ha. It is a significant part of the local landscape and is visually prominent from both surrounding homes and roads. The Hertfordshire Landscape Character Assessment describes the woods as “An Oasis of woodland in the middle of suburbia” and is surrounded largely by housing as well as two schools, bar on its southern edge, which is a golf course. The wood is divided into three main compartments by two public roads.
The wood itself lies between 83 and 130 m rising to the west and south with the southern half sloping east and the northern half sloping north and is part of a very wooded mix of housing, woodland and fields which make up this corner of North –West London and East Hertfordshire bounded to the west and north by the river Colne.
1.3 History of Management Oxhey Woods has a complex past being a mix of ancient semi natural woodlands (ASNW) with varying ages of plantation and secondary woodlands which is reflected in the stand types visible today. For many areas particularly the ASNW areas coppice was the main form of historical management with hornbeam, hazel, ash and sweet chestnut areas still apparent. High forest dominated by oak was also appears to have been a significant form of management and here and there conifer has been planted perhaps as a nurse crop with broadleaves. Some areas may also have been wood pasture as is the case with other Hertfordshire Woodlands such as Northaw Great Wood.
As with most largely broadleaved woodlands in the south after the second world war, active management declined with the most significant occurrences being the loss of parts of the wood to housing and the proposal to build a major road through the woods. As a result of the road proposal most of the mature trees along the proposed route were felled between 1945 and 1948 along a diagonal line from the eastern boundary of compartment (cpt.) 2 to the north western boundary of cpt. 3. In 1949 the wood was bought from private ownership by the Greater London Council from whence it passed into the hands of Three Rivers District Council.
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Recent management has been focused on access with ride work and interpretation. Some Rhododendron Ponticum which dominates areas of cpt.3 has been cleared and some cleaning of oak and beech regeneration has taken place. Ponds have been restored/created and in compartment (cpt.1) a small area has been opened up to foster heather and a surfaced ride is being put in. Generally some pedestrian entrances have been improved.
2 Woodland Information
2.1 Areas and features Designated Areas Map In Woodland Adjacent to woodland No. Special areas for conservation (SACs) Special Protection Areas (SPAs) Ramsar Sites (see note on Guidance) National Nature Reserves (NNRs) Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) Other designations (e.g. National Park (NP) / World Heritage Site) Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) TPO / Conservation Area (CA) Details : Oxhey Wood is an LNR and Grade A site of County Importance
Rare and important species Map In Woodland Adjacent to woodland No. Red Data Book or BAP species Rare, threatened, EPS or SAP species √ Details: Whilst there is little recent objective survey work the following protected species have been recorded in the recent past. Bats: Pipistrelle, , Noctule and Brown Long Eared Bat were recorded in 1997 Badgers (definitely present currently)
Floristically Oxhey Wood is rich with 446 species of plants recorded in G.H.Harper’s survey from 1980. Of particular note is a significant population of wild service trees which may be the largest in Hertfordshire and the remains of a more heath environment including heather. Important flora noted includes thin spiked wood sedge, pill sedge, scaly male fern, southern wood rush and soft shield fern.
The HMWC Ecological Assessment if 2009 does not note any particularly unusual species of bird or mammals.
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Habitats Map In Woodland Adjacent to woodland No. Ancient semi-natural woodland (ASNW) √ √ Other semi-natural woodland Plantations on ancient woodland sites (PAWS) Semi-natural features in PAWS Woodland margins and hedges √ Veteran and other notable trees √ Breeding sites √ Habitats of notable species Unimproved grasslands Rides and open ground √ Valuable wildlife communities √ Feeding area √ Lowland heath √ Peatlands Others Details: Large areas of the Woods are classified as ASNW Remaining areas are secondary woodland of varying age. Some boundary features are left for example boundary stubbs. Mature and veteran trees are present especially in the ASNW areas. EPS species such as badger, and bat species are present and breeding on site Rides are present (see map 1) and there are considerable open areas Relics of heath flora are present. Oxheys Wood is an important Herts. site for mosses and liverworts. Notable plant species include: wood sedge, pill sedge, scaley male fern, southern wood rush and soft shield fern.
Water Map In Woodland Adjacent to woodland No. Watercourses √ Lakes Ponds √ Wetland habitats √ Details: The wood contains numerous small stream streams (see map 1) mostly seasonal. The wood contained some 15 ponds although most are now silted up and overgrown. There numerous wet poorly drained areas alongside streams.
Landscape Map In Woodland Adjacent to woodland No.
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Landscape designated areas Landscape features Rock exposures Historic landscapes √ Areas of the woodland prominent from roads √ Areas of the woodland prominent from settlements Details: The wood is prominent from immediately adjacent settlements and roads.
Cultural features Map In Woodland Adjacent to woodland No. Public rights of way Prominent viewing points Existing permissive footpaths √ √ Proposed permissive footpaths Areas managed with traditional management √ systems Details: There are no public rights of way within Oxhey Woods; however there are numerous permissive paths and desire lines throughout the wood. Three routes are promoted through the wood and there is also a section of the London Loop There is a permissive horse ride through the south of the wood There is a gas pipeline running east-west at the southern end of the wood Much of the wood contains over stood coppice of hazel, hornbeam, ash, sweet chestnut and even oak. No areas are currently managed for coppice
Archaeological Features Map In Woodland Adjacent to woodland No. Scheduled monument Historical feature (Inc. designed landscapes, registered parks and gardens) Other √
Details: 6) Indications of old field/wood boundaries and a section of well-preserved ancient track within the wood and a mound (possible barrow) in the Old Hangings section of the wood with a nearby major hollow way. The woodland edge is also marked in some places a large ditch and bank.
See: Woodland Archaeological Features in Oxheys Wood, John Morris 2009 Herts.CC Monument Full Report 28/06/2011
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2.2 Woodland resource characteristics
Amenity: Oxhey Woods has a high potential for both recreation and education by virtue of its location near urban settlements, structure size and characteristics. This is already realised via permissive access albeit underdeveloped
Biodiversity: The Woods contain good structural diversity due to areas of ASNW and varying ages of secondary woodland. Grassland and heath areas are also present. This combined with an unusually large size for a suburban wood gives it a significant biodiversity potential.
Timber: The wood contains a significant broadleaved resource especially as regards firewood and to a lesser extent saw logs especially oak.
Volumes are hard to estimate and there is little point in mensuration as the difficulties and costs make it un-economic however, restoration work should be carried out with idea of producing loads of timber rather than un-economic amounts
2.3 Site description
General Oxhey Woods consists of 97.8 ha. Of largely broadleaved woodland formed from a variety of ASNW and secondary woodlands together with open areas. The geology consists of pebble gravel on the higher areas to the south-west overlaying London Clay which comes to the surface on lower areas. Soils are slowly permeable and seasonally waterlogged. There are numerous issues and steams over the site most of which are seasonal.
Many parts of the wood have been identified as being ASNW with other areas becoming afforested as far back as the eighteenth century. The most recent wood being to the east of cpt. 2 which has been turning into woodland from the midst of the last century. The older areas of the woodland fall into the Sessile Oak/Hornbeam and Sessile Oak/birch stand types typical of south Hertfordshire. Of particular note is the amount of wild service trees in the wood in particular in Nanscot Wood (Cpt 1 NW) and Old Hangings (Cpt.2 SE). This relatively rare tree is an ASNW indicator and Oxhey is believed to have the largest population in Hertfordshire.
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The wood is very varied in terms of structure reflecting the varied components that now make up the wood and although dominated by oak high forest there are significant pockets of coppice which make for an interesting and varied wood. All areas contain rhododendron, laurel to varying degrees with the former still very significant in parts of cpt. 1. Sycamore is also significant especially in cpts. 2 and three which along with beech are generally badly squirrel damaged (pic.7)
Harper’s 1982 study identifies over 20 compartments in the current wood, of these however, current management is concentrated into three compartments by the two roads running through the site. The following gives a description by the three compartments.
Compartment 1 is the southern-most section of the site south of Prestwick Road /The Woods. This cpt. was the former Abbotts Wood with Nanscot Wood forming a finger to the south-east. Harper in his 1982 report indicates that the northern, eastern and southern parts of Abbotts Wood are likely to be ASNW and Nanscot Wood has many clear ASNW indicators. The main part of the wood formerly Abottts Wood has been until recently dominated by Rhododendron Ponticum with older standard trees typically oak forming the canopy above it. Recent work has cleared significant areas leaving a mix of quite open areas with standard oaks (either maiden or coppice in origin) remaining and older areas where there is a dense birch scrub regenerating (see pic.1). As may be seen often the birch has rhododendron regenerating underneath it. Significant areas of large rhododendron remain such as rhododendron walk. In amongst the oak standards are occasional yew with rowan and birch with here and there conifers such as larch and scots pine. Holly is also significant in the understory in some areas for example to the west. Where there is light there are patches of excellent oak regeneration and there are also groups of un- thinned younger oak. Ground flora on the gravel soils is fairly poor with bracken and bramble dominant. A recently cleared area again to the west still retains heather and heath vegetation such wavy hair grass and common bent are present with clumps of sedge in wetter areas. Streams run west- east with the main outfall being a drain above Bowring Green. In this corner there is good young willow and oak. A pair of adjacent ponds has been opened up in the north of the cpt. In the south west edge of the wood hornbeam coppice is present with bluebells significant. There is a bank running alongside the southern boundary with the golf club. Moving east into Nanscot Wood the character changes into hazel coppice with mature oak standards with elm and midland hawthorn present as is holly, bluebell is significant here and service is present. Above this area to the east younger beech is significant. A surfaced track is currently being installed forming a circular route, otherwise there are several well used tracks such as the rhododendron walk which can be wet and numerous desire lines. Rubbish dumping from houses is a problem particularly in Nanscot Wood.
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1. Cpt 1. Area of recently cleared rhododendron with birch regeneration over re- emerging rhododendron.
2. Cpt.1 Hazel Coppice with oak standards in Nanscot Wood. 3.
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Cpt.2 This forms the middle section of Oxhey between Prestwick Road and Oxhey Drive and comprises the former Mary Hill Wood, Long and Little Raymonds Woods and Ashen Spring. Mary Hill Wood is believed to be ASNW. Much of this cpt. is now oak high forest of varying age with birch, sycamore, hornbeam and sweet chestnut also present. Lesser species include ash and field maple. Hawthorn, hazel and sycamore regeneration are significant in the understory, there are also areas of rhododendron and holly is also becoming significant. Bramble and bracken are dominant ground flora with bluebell also present where there is more light. Whilst generally dominated by oak the general age varies from area to area reflecting former land use. In the centre of the cpt. a square area about the size of a football pitch on sand and gravel has been kept clear and contains a thin covering of grass with a young (50 years) un-thinned oak monoculture to its east and younger mixed woodland to its west representing the most recent woodland on the site. This compartment also contains some remnant hornbeam coppice as well as internal woodbanks with stubbs (see pic. 3). A pond has been created adjacent to the path. Paths in this cpt. are fairly narrow and shaded
4. Cpt.2 showing hornbeam stubbs on an old boundary bank.
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5. Cpt. 2 Young un-thinned oak woodland.
Cpt 3 The most northern compartment comprising of Upper Oxhey Woods, Paddock Spring, Furze Fields East and West, Old Hangings and Young Hangings. This cpt. contains a wide range of semi natural woodland types. Entering the Wood at ????? the wood has quite an open structure at what is its highest point (see pic 5) with older oak and sweet chestnut forming a thin high canopy over birch, sycamore ,younger sweet chestnut and holly. Occasional conifer are present including mature scots, corsican pine and norway spruce are present. Dropping down to the north the wood dramatically changes and there is an area of surprisingly good hazel coppice with good oak standards, In addition there is also a distinct area near the woods northern edge of over stood ash coppice with another area of good hornbeam and oak coppice (pic 6.) also present. A further area is dominated by birch representing the area that was cleared for the potential road. This cpt. has the London Loop running through it which at the highest point has been recently widened to some 6 metres elsewhere Loop and other paths are narrow and dark and in poor weather very boggy.
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5 Cpt 3 Open high forest dominated by oak and sweet chestnut.
6. Cpt 3 Hornbeam Coppice
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2.4 Significant hazards, constraints and threats
Hazards: High public use Boggy terrain Gas wayleave Constraints: Public usage constraining forestry works Poor public perception of woodland work Costs of restoration work against low value timber resource Woodland archaeology Threats: Squirrel and other pest damage Invasive non native species
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Disease e.g. phytophtera in larch and chronic/acute oak decline. Rubbish dumping from neighbouring houses
3 Long term vision, management objectives and strategy
3.1 Long term vision A woodland with a diverse structure based on indigenous species free from invasive non- natives. This structure to include: lowland heath, glades, wet flushes, high forest, wood pasture and coppice. This woodland should support good populations of key species, allow good public access as well as where possible providing a timber income
3.2 Management Objectives 1) To remove invasive non-natives particularly rhododendron ponticum..
2) To open up a system of wide rides throughout the wood
3) To carry out a baseline assessment of the woods ecology
4) To maintain and enhance all environmentally sensitive areas,
5) To maintain and enhance archaeological features
6) To maintain and improve the wood (where necessary) for public recreation
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7) To secure external funding especially Forestry Commission Grant
8) To support and encourage volunteer groups
3.3 Strategy Oxhey is an interesting wood and unusually large suburban wood with a wide variety of differing woodland structure many of which have not been managed for many years. In an ideal world it would be good to actively re-instate coppice management, and carry out wide scale silvicultural thinning, however due to a variety of factors ranging from budget as well as public perception , management will concentrate for this period of the plan on the areas below.
1) Control of non-natives This principally concerns rhododendron ponticum, but also cherry laurel and japanese knotweed. The aim being to eradicate these species from the woodland bar in the area of the rhododendron walk where in order to preserve a much liked historical feature a less aggressive rhododendron will be planted in place of the removed ponticum. A full plan to address these species is given in Appendix one Rhododendron Control Plan September 2011. In addition to this plan consideration should also be given as to how to control areas where rhododendron has been removed in the past but is now regenerating under a dense layer of birch re- growth. It is recommended that some of these areas should be re-cleared as at present they are simply reverting back to rhododendron. Should sycamore be present in the areas where for example rhododendron control is being carried out, it should also be removed due to the inability to grow successful trees due to squirrel damage.
2) Opening up the ride system The 2010 Access and Interpretation Report gives the proposals for achieving high quality access which includes opening up the existing ride system and the addition of an easy access path with sculpture trail (Appendix 2). This will open up existing rides to an average of 15m width with scallops used to create a more natural look. Rides will be managed on a three stage system with central areas being maintained every year and the next area being cut every three years. The outermost area will be cut every seven years. Please see plan for greater detail.
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3) Baseline Ecological Survey The last detailed ecological survey was conducted in 1980 and it is important that a baseline survey is undertaken to assess the impact of a resumption of management and assess the effectiveness of management techniques. Funding should be sought for this in the first year of the plan.
4) To maintain and enhance all environmentally sensitive areas The principle focus of this plan is the removal of invasive no natives and the improvement of the ride system both for biodiversity and access however it is intended that future phases of the plan will concentrate more on diversifying structure and the restoration of elements such as ponds. However, during the first five year period of this plan it is intended to: trial three small coppice (0.4 ha max.) blocks in respectively an area of hornbeam, ash and hazel. These blocks will ideally be linked to the ride system; areas around main streams to be opened up in scallops as thinning proceeds. existing ponds to be opened up and cleared. Opportunities for new ponds to be explored. maintain a dead wood resource in all areas by retaining both standing and fallen dead wood; consider having a minimum of two areas as non-intervention zones which are left without interference and where access is not encouraged.
5) To maintain and enhance archaeological features The 2009 archaeological survey identifies a wealth of woodland archaeological features such as wood banks and it is essential that these and similar features are not damaged by forestry operations. Therefore all contractors likely to affect such features must be issued with maps showing where they are and protected crossing points need to be marked. In addition features such as boundary stubbs (high coppiced stools on top of banks) and hornbeam pollards are important historical features in their own right. It is also intended during the period of this plan to open up around selected groups of these features to allow in more light and also to trial the re cutting of some.
6. Access In addition to the ride works it is intended to: improve the existing car park, improve site entrances, install benches and way markers, as well as carry out footbridge repairs. Again see appendix 2 for further detail.
6)Community Groups The current community group makes an invaluable contribution to the woods up keep and it is intended that they are supported through…
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7) Grant Support Apply for a full programme of grant support particularly from the Forestry Commission to support these works.
3.4 Woodfuel Initiative Would you be interested in receiving information on funding opportunities for the purchase of harvesting machinery or wood fuel boilers, or for grants that support timber production from your woodlands?
No
4 Management prescriptions/operations
4.1 Silvicultural systems 4.1.1 Harvesting
There will be no active harvesting in the first five years of this plan aside from several trial coppice areas and ride work.
Otherwise the main activities will be ponticum clearance which will either be with a 360 and claw or cut motor manually and ride work which will also be motor manual.
4.1.2 Phased felling and restructuring of plantations There are no plantations in Oxhey Wood
4.1.3 Establishment, restocking and regeneration
In the current plan it is only the coppice trials that require regeneration. This will also be supported by protecting some areas with temporary deer fencing in order to ascertain whether pest control is required for restock/regeneration to be successful. Where stools are sparse they will be augmented by planting whips in 1.2 tubes with stakes.
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4.2 New planting No new planting other than restocking existing compartments.
4.3 Other operations
As indicated in 3.3.: Invasive non-natives will be cleared; Rides will be opened up; A baseline ecological survey will be undertaken; Pond restoration; Pollard and stubb restoration; Access improvements
4.4 Protection and maintenance 4.4.1 Pest and disease management Deer are not currently a significant problem in the wood although certainly muntjac are present. No signs of significant browsing were seen during site inspection. Temporary deer fencing will be trailed any way in some areas to test if this protection makes a difference and new planting will be in 1.2m tubes with stakes.
Squirrel and rabbit are an issue particularly in the case of the latter for species such as beech. The latter will not be favoured during operations although better specimens will be left if nothing else as sacrificial.
Annual monitoring will be carried out for phytophtera in larch and decline in oak as well as inspecting new plantings and natural regeneration. Rhododendron ponticum will also be removed both as an invasive and a host for phytophtera.
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7. Squirrel damaged beech cpt 3
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4.4.2 Fire plan Oxhey has not had a history of serious fires although small areas have been burnt as acts of vandalism. However, with current dryer conditions and many areas with significant bracken cover, fire is an area of risk.
In the event of a fire being reported the Fire Brigade must be contacted immediately.
Bottles, broken glass, burnt out cars and illegal fly tipping all add to the risk that a fire can be started accidentally. Litter will be reported or removed immediately.
Not all part of the wood are close enough to roads and tracks for fire brigade hoses to reach all areas.
There are relatively few watercourse and supplies within the woodlands suitable for fire fighting. Permanent water sources are marked on the attached map.
Rendezvous points for staff and contractors will be at the nearest entrance to the site of the fire, or if it is obvious, at the fire site.
In the event of the Fire Brigade being called out it must be borne in mind that they will not have a detailed knowledge of the wood and the various woodland areas so a well known location should be used. In addition, someone with up to date knowledge of the quickest, and best, route to the fire through the effected woodland should meet them.
The rendezvous point to meet the fire services are: main woodland access points nearest the fires. (See Maps).
4.4.3 Waste disposal and pollution Contracts with contractors state penalties for leaving waste and also require the use of biodegradable lubricants where practical and the carrying of spillage kits on all vehicles.
Chemicals will only be used to treat non natives and away from water courses unless approved by Natural England.
Old rabbit guards rabbit fencing, etc. To be removed from site and disposed of at CA sites
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4.4.4 Protection from unauthorised activities Current levels of fly tipping are quite low helped by the height barrier in the car park. Litter is noticeable in cpt. 9 adjacent to the car park although bins are provided. However, dumping is an issue from neighbouring houses during the first year of the plan all houses bordering the woods will be leafleted regarding this offence and if there are no changes further action should be taken.
There is no evidence of the site being used by off road bikes currently.
4.4.5 Protection of other identified services and values
The recreation value of the site is currently being improved by opening up rides and increased use of way marking and interpretation..
4.5 Game management There is no game management or intention to manage game.
4.6 Protecting and enhancing landscape, biodiversity and special features 4.6.1 Management of designated areas Oxhey has no statutory designations.
4.6.2 Measures to enhance biodiversity and other special features [UKWAS 2.1.1/6.1.1] Please see 3.3. It is a main objective of the plan to enhance biodiversity and timber is a by product of this management.
4.6.3 Special measures for ancient semi-natural woodland (ASNW) and semi-natural woodland (SNW) See 3.3. In the period of this plan the main silvicultural activity is three trial coppice areas.
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4.6.4 Special measures for plantation on ancient woodland site (PAWS) Whilst conifers are present they are occasional and do not form PAWS
4.6.5 Measures to mitigate impacts on landscape and neighbouring land [UKWAS 3.1.2]
Clearing the rhododendron will have a significant effect on the wood itself but being largely internal will not have significant impact on the wider landscape. Coppice coupes will be small and again internal. Consequently there are unlikely to be any landscape impacts in this phase of the plan and neighbouring land should not be affected.
4.7 Management of social and cultural values 4.7.1 Archaeology and sites of cultural interest
There are some excellent ditches and banks together with boundary trees (stubbs)and pollards in Oxhey. These are to be maintained at all times. In the case of the former, no machines will be allowed to cross these features unless the banks are protected or it is an existing track. In the case of the latter trial cutting and haloing of drawn up examples will be undertaken so as to increase their longevity.
4.7.2 Public access and impacts on local people
Whilst this wood has open public access it is not that well used perhaps due to a neglected infrastructure, which this plan hopes to address, by opening up paths and rides, making the car park and access points more attractive and adding interpretation.
5 Consultation
Organisation/individual Date received Comment Response/action Forestry Commission Herts. and Middlesex Wildlife Trust Herts. Police Site users Local Councillors
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6 Monitoring plan summary
Objective Indicator Method of Monitoring Responsibility How will information be number, issue or assessment period used UKWAS Requirement 1. Removal of Areas cut Visual Annual CMS To monitor if area invasive non- and targets met and natives. regenerat techniques successful ion 2. To maintain Metres of Survey Annual CMS To maintain amenity and enhance ride survey and certain habitats where necessary, opened a/ the system of glades wide rides and maintaine glades d 3. To maintain Visitor Formal and Survey every CMS To ascertain if and improve the satisfactio informal three years improvements effective wood (where n interviews and what else could necessary) for improve the visitor public recreation experience 4. To undertake n/a Ecological In year one CMS To assess whether a baseline survey works carried out in the ecology survey future have a positive or negative effect. 5. To ensure Growth of Visual Every year CMS To ensure successful good coppice a inspection for three coppice regeneration regeneration minimum years of 1m per annum 6. To support Group On-going Annual CMS To ensure continued link and encourage numbers feedback summary and interest of volunteer groups / volunteers satisfactio n 7 Work programmes
7.1 Outline long-term work programme (2017 - 2037) (Use this table to outline medium to long term areas of work) Cpt. Ref or Activity Year (tick)
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Name 6-10 11-20 All Restock cleared ponticum areas should natural regeneration √ √ fail 1 & 6 Continue coppice regime √ √ 4 & 8 Maintain areas restored for heath √ √ All Maintain ride system √ √ All Baseline ecology survey √ √
______WPG MPTemplate V3.1 issued 11.06.22 | Grants & Regulations | 23 Woodland Management Plan Short-term work programme (2012 – 2017) (Use this table to collect basic inventory data for the woodland areas you propose to work during the next 5 years) Cpt. Area Main P. Year Yield Activity Year Ref / (ha) Species Class 1 2 3 4 5 Name ALL 97 / / / Baseline Ecology Survey √ √ 1,2,3 30 / / Remove invasive non-natives throughout site largely rhododendron ponticum √ √ √ √ √ (see appendix 1)
1,2,3 / MB / / Opening up ride system including installation of a sculpture trail (see √ √ √ √ √ appendix 2) 1,2,3 / / / / Access improvements including access points, car parks, way markers and √ √ √ √ √ interpretation (see appendix 2) 3 Coppice three areas of 0.3ha √ All Restore three ponds √ All Trial haloing restoration of 10 stubbs and one pollard √ All / / / / Ensure timber extraction is possible for coppice areas √
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8 Costing Operations
Exact costs are difficult to establish and some Heritage Lottery and Forestry Commission has been obtained to support the first five years work programme which will also be supported by Three Rivers District Council 9 Maps
It is recommended that you show as much information on subject based maps as possible. For example, a map showing site constraints or a concept map showing the main proposals.
List all maps here and append to plan:
Map no./Title Description 1 Species map 2 Constraints and hazards 3 Work proposals
10Thinning, felling and restocking proposals
The template and guidance should be carefully followed to aid production of a good management plan, and ensure that we can pay the grant. Most of the template will need to be completed by everyone, but the following sections are not compulsory, unless you wish to apply for woodfuel grants or Category B approval.
You must complete Section 10, Table A if you want to use the plan to gain Wood Fuel WIG support or seek funding through other wood fuel initiatives.
You must complete Section 10, Table B if you want to gain 10 year thinning and felling approval and / or meet the requirements of Category B. This section should not be completed for any other applications.
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10.1 Table A Applicants seeking funding through a woodfuel initiative for harvesting machinery or wood fuel boilers, or wishing to apply for EWGS Woodfuel WIG must provide basic inventory data (WPG template 7.2) and estimate the total volume that is to be thinned and felled during the period of this plan, by completing Table A.
(Using inventory data from table 7.2, complete a timber volume estimate) Estimated volume to be harvested during work Cpt(s) Main Species Total work Area periods (m3) (from table 7.2) (BL/Con) (ha) Yr 1 - 5 Yr 6 - 10 Yr 11 - 20
Example 1a, 2, 3 Con 7.2 300 - -
N/A
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10.2 Table B This section must be fully completed by the applicant if they wish to gain felling licence approval from the Forestry Commission. The work detailed below must match the proposals set out in the plan. For details on how to complete this table, please refer to EWGS4 – Woodland Regeneration for guidance and Tree Felling guidance.
d r a s d 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 13. 14. l 12. n a a s t o
Cpt. / Area % area to Type of % of felled area Felling Change in woodland Preferred Restock mixture % Estab. S Notes / Details p o r
Sub (ha) be worked felling comprising: licence type claim Species % by natural p Cpt. BL CON type From To year regen 1a 2.7 30% SF - 100 C PAWS Nat 11/12 POK 40% 10% 1(i) example
Rides 3.0 100% SF 100 UC N/A 13/14 N/A N/A N/A Open up rides to a maximum of 10m using a three stage management system and scallops to give a more natural effect. 3a 0.3 100 CF 100 C 14/14 Haz 95% 80% 2ii/2i Re coppice hazel. Ok 5% 3b 0.3 100 CF 100 C 14/14 AH 100% 80% 2ii/2i Re coppice ash
2a 0.3 100 CF 100 C 14/14 HB 100% 80% 2ii/2i Re coppice hornbeam
______WPG MPTemplate V3.1 issued 11.06.22 | Grants & Regulations | 27 Woodland Management Plan
______WPG MPTemplate V3.1 issued 11.06.22 | Grants & Regulations | 28