West Woods is a working woodland producing sustainable timber. We are working here from autumn 2024 until March 2025. This page provides more information about the work we're doing.
What is happening?
We are carrying out several planned forestry operations around West Woods.
In several areas of the forest where trees are growing densely, we will be thinning them. This means removing selected trees to use for sustainable wood products and leaving the remaining ones more space to grow to their potential. Thinning also allows more light to reach the forest floor, which improves the habitat for ground flora and the wildlife it supports.
We will also be removing ash trees which are close to access routes around the forest and showing signs of Chalara ash dieback. This is a destructive disease that causes trees to become brittle, drop branches, or fall altogether.
At the same time, we'll be working to protect the Wansdyke and Long Barrow scheduled monuments in West Woods by reducing bracken, removing trees in poor condition that might cause damage, and clearing any new trees trying to grow. We work with Historic England to plan how to conserve and improve these irreplaceable monuments.
Throughout the works, we will take steps to protect the forest’s valuable and irreplaceable soils and its famous annual display of native bluebells. Vehicle movements will be carefully managed to minimise their impact on soils and bulbs, and timber will not be stacked in areas that are important for wild flowers.
Can I still visit West Woods?
Safety is our highest priority. West Woods is open to visitors throughout the forestry work. We will work hard to keep disruption to a minimum but there will be times when we will need to close access around the forest so we can work safely nearby. It is essential for the safety of our visitors, staff, contractors, and volunteers that everyone follows all signs, diversions, and closures at all times, whether or not you can see or hear us working. 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?
Harvesting trees is an important part of sustainable forest management and well managed forests support more wildlife. 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. This enables us to identify ecological constraints such as the presence of European Protected Species and Schedule 1 protected birds, which affect the time of year when certain operations can be carried out. For example, West Woods is famous for its annual display of native bluebells.
We consider our findings against complex factors including tree health, how the ground slopes, soil condition, and likely rainfall when planning forestry work. While working, we continue to check for wildlife and adapt, pause, or suspend work if necessary.
Where can I find out more?
If you have any questions about our work in West Woods, please email westengland@forestryengland.uk.