Westonbirt Woodland Management Project
Building on the success of the Silk Wood Community Planting Project, the Westonbirt Woodland Management Project has been created to strengthen the long-term management of ancient woodland while providing opportunities for local communities to take part in practical woodland conservation.
Launching in July 2026, the project will support the establishment of recently planted trees, restore areas of historically managed coppice woodland and help improve the resilience and biodiversity of Silk Wood for future generations.
Involving the community
The Westonbirt Woodland Management Project will continue the strong partnerships developed through the Silk Wood Community Planting Project, enabling people to play an active role in caring for this special landscape.
Schools, colleges, youth groups, mental health charities and a wide range of community organisations will be invited to take part in activities that support the health and resilience of the woodland. Participants will gain practical skills, learn about woodland ecology and contribute directly to the conservation of Silk Wood.
Activities will be tailored to the needs and abilities of different groups, ensuring a range of opportunities to get involved, whether through tree care, monitoring surveys, woodland management or nature-based engagement sessions.
Find out more about opportunities to get involved.
Caring for young trees
A key focus of the project is the continued aftercare of the 9,000+ trees planted through the Silk Wood Community Planting Project.
While tree planting is an important first step, ongoing care is essential to help young trees become successfully established. Community groups will support activities such as weeding, mulching, monitoring growth and surveying tree health, helping to give the woodland the best possible chance to thrive.
By investing in the long-term care of these young trees, we can help ensure the benefits of the community woodland continue for decades to come.
Traditional woodland management
The project will also support the restoration of areas of unmanaged coppice woodland near Silk Wood Barn.
Coppicing is a traditional woodland management technique with a long history in Silk Wood. Hazel trees are cut close to ground level on a cyclical basis, encouraging vigorous new growth and creating a variety of woodland habitats over time. Westonbirt has a long-established and highly regarded coppice programme, which not only preserves valuable woodland management skills but also contributes significantly to the conservation of the arboretum’s rich flora and fauna.
Coppice at Westonbirt Arboretum | Forestry England
As part of the project, community participants will help restore areas of historically managed coppice using basic hand tools under the guidance of trained staff. Material produced through coppicing may also be used to support wider woodland management objectives, such as protecting woodland regeneration from deer browsing.
An initial aim during the first year of the project is to restore 0.5 hectares of unmanaged coppice woodland as the first step in a longer-term programme of woodland recovery.
Why coppicing matters
Coppicing plays an important role in maintaining the ecological health of ancient woodland.
By allowing more light to reach the woodland floor, coppicing encourages the growth of woodland flowers, grasses and shrubs. These plants provide food and habitat for a wide range of insects, birds and other wildlife, increasing biodiversity across the woodland.
As part of the project, habitat, flora and fauna surveys will be undertaken to monitor the impact of management activities and help inform future conservation work.
What will be achieved
During its initial two-year phase, the project will:
- Continue the aftercare and monitoring of recently planted trees within the Silk Wood Community Woodland.
- Restore areas of historically managed coppice woodland.
- Provide practical woodland management opportunities for community groups and volunteers.
- Monitor habitat quality and biodiversity across project areas.
- Raise awareness of the importance of ancient woodland management and conservation.
- Build knowledge, skills and confidence among participants through hands-on learning and engagement.
The project is designed to build upon the legacy of the Silk Wood Community Planting Project, ensuring that both the woodland and the communities connected to it continue to flourish together.
Looking to the future
Through the Arboretum Development Fund, The Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum are supporting the project for an initial two-year period. Fundraising is already underway to secure additional investment and expand the scale and impact of the project in the years ahead.
By combining practical conservation with meaningful community involvement, the Westonbirt Woodland Management Project will help safeguard this ancient woodland while creating opportunities for people to connect with nature, learn new skills and contribute to the future of Silk Wood.
