The impact on Silk Wood
The woodland in Silk Wood will be managed with various silvicultural approaches. These are decided based on safety, rate of decline, and the number of ash trees alongside other native species present.
Did you know?
The term ‘Silviculture’ comes from the latin silvi (meaning forest) and culture (meaning growing). It is the practice of managing forests in a particular way to meet certain values and needs.
Within Silk Wood, we have 22 hectares of actively managed coppice coups.
200 acres of the woodland within Silk Wood have been affected by ash dieback.
We will be managing the affected areas in three ways:
- Clear fell and replant: (6.74 ha)
This involves the large scale removal of infected ash trees. In certain areas there are too many infected ash trees to leave some standing. By clear felling now, we have the best possible chance to replant these areas for a more resilient woodland to face future climate challenges
- Thinning: (22.78ha)
Where possible we are looking to only remove dead or dying ash trees, aiding natural regeneration allowing healthy species to grow.
- Non Intervention: (3.51ha)
Areas away from visitors will be left, allowing us to monitor and research how the disease develops within ash trees.
For your safety, please do not cross any barriers that you may come to, as we will be carrying out tree work in that area.
