Thinning at Haugh Woods
Felling works have now finished at Haugh Woods. But we are still working to bring timber to roadside ready to be sent to the mill, it is important that you read any operational and safety signage and adhere to its instruction.
There may also be an increase in vehicular activity in the woodland. Be prepared to stop and call your dog to heal and move to one side. We may also have to block a section of track for a period to load vehicles, be prepared to change you planned walk or turn around.
What have we we been doing?
We carried out thinning to areas of conifer trees to create space in the canopy to allow the remaining trees to develop towards maturity. The crowns of the remaining trees will grow to fill the spaces and allow the trees to increase their stem size over the next five to ten years. The process will then be repeated to allow some of the trees to grow on to their biological maturity. Space opened in the canopy will also allow natural regeneration of young oak and other native species for the future and the process to carry on indefinitely.
What happens to the timber?
The timber produced by this operation will go for a variety of uses into the construction industry, furniture making and biomass woodfuel. Some crown wood will be left on site as wildlife habitat, this is known as ‘dead wood’ and helps to return nutrients to the soil.
Will you be replanting?
As this is a thinning operation, we do not have plans to replant, however, our work will aid the cycle of natural regeneration. This is the lifeblood of any forest and woodland ecosystem, maintaining this cycle without loss is the basis of sustainable forest management. In British forests, harvesting timber is an essential part of the cycle as it makes space for regrowth and develops robust, healthy and diverse woodland areas.
Can I still visit Haugh Woods?
Yes - the woodland will remain open throughout our harvesting operations, the most important thing for us is to keep the public, our staff, and contractors safe. We will have safety and operational signage displayed, diversions, closures, and banks persons in position where needed.
This is for your safety, whether you can see or hear us working, it is important you read and listen to all instructions very carefully and obey all instruction. Forestry work is very hazardous. A falling tree can weigh several tonnes and hit the ground at nearly 60mph. If a harvesting machine chainsaw snaps, it can fly through the forest like a bullet.
What about the wildlife?
Well managed forests are able to support more wildlife, and harvesting trees is an important part of a sustainable forest lifecycle. Before we start any forestry work, we carry out thorough ecological surveys to check for species such as birds, mammals, rodents, invertebrates, flora, and fungi. We also consider these against complex factors including tree health, how the ground slopes, soil condition, and likely rainfall when planning work that will support our long-term management plan. While working, we continue to check for wildlife and will adapt, pause or suspend work if we find any animal that must be protected.
This work in particular will decrease the percentage of conifer and further widen the rides; therefore contributing to increasing the ecological diversity of the wood. Conifers will be felled near any neighbouring broadleaves. The butterflies that Haugh Woods are so well known for will benefit from the increased light levels stimulating ground flora.
Will you tidy up?
The works will have some visual impact on the woodland, those walking or cycling will notice rutting of the forest track and some areas may look messy and will become very muddy where machinery has been. This will be reinstated where necessary on completion of the work.
Harvesting work can sometimes be quite drawn out and work may stop for some time due to the many constraints that we have to work around.