Shackerdale Wood Hollingworth Plantation Blaggs Covert

Shackerdale Wood Hollingworth Plantation Blaggs Covert

Shackerdale Farm

HLS Woodland Management Plan

HLS Reference: AG00293509

David Rose

Shackerdale Farm

Car Colston

Bingham

Notts

NG13 8JB

Telephone:05603 144832

19 November 2018

Prepared by: Graham Colborne

LincolnshireFWAG

Telephone: 01522 535540

E-Mail:

Contents

1Introduction

2Background Information

2.1Shackerdale Wood (SK 7244 4415)

2.1.1Description

2.1.2History of management

2.1.3Habitats and important species

2.1.4Landscape

2.1.5Cultural features

2.1.6Historical features

2.2Stoneydale Plantation (SK 7244 5569)

2.2.1Description

2.2.2History of management

2.2.3Habitats and important species

2.2.4Landscape

2.2.5Cultural features

2.2.6Historical features

2.3Hollingworth Plantation (SK 7244 9638)

2.3.1Description

2.3.2History of management

2.3.3Habitats and important species

2.3.4Landscape

2.3.5Cultural features

2.3.6Historical features

2.4Blaggs Covert (SK 7243 6350)

2.4.1Description

2.4.2History of management

2.4.3Habitats and important species

2.4.4Landscape

2.4.5Cultural features

2.4.6Historical features

3Management objectives

3.1Long term vision

3.2Management objectives

3.3Strategy

4Management prescriptions/ operations

4.1Silvicultural systems

4.1.1Thinning

4.2New planting

4.2.1Species selection

4.2.2Ground preparation

4.2.3Tree planting

4.2.4Planting design

4.2.5Maintenance

4.2.6Beating up

4.3Other operations

4.3.1Sycamore control

4.4Protection and maintenance

4.4.1Pest and disease management

4.5Protecting and enhancing biodiversity

5Work programmes

5.1Practical work-guide

5.2HLS – annual and capital items

6Further Help

1Introduction

This Woodland Management Plan covers the maintenance of four existing woodlandsat Shackerdale Farm near Bingham. The Plan identifies a work programme to be undertaken and provides management guidelines. Eligible grant funding from the Higher Level Stewardship is identified for land management and capital items.

2Background Information

2.1Shackerdale Wood (SK 7244 4415)

2.1.1Description

This small rectilinear wood (ha) has a canopy of oak with some ash and, around the margins, pine (Corsican), larch, sweet chestnut, and a sycamore. Some of the oldest oaks (75-100 yrs) are located closer to the wood edge giving the impression that the wood has had its central part cleared at some stage in the distant past.

There is a modest understorey with scattered hawthorn and ash from seedlings; together with a few holly and elder bushes. In places, particularly at the western end, this has been thinned - see top lhs photo on title page; in other areas towards the eastern end it is a lot thicker. Relatively recent planting has taken place with field maple dominating. Some of the newer planting has failed.

The ground flora comprises patches of bramble together with frequent ground ivy (in the middle section). No ancient woodland species were readily apparent, although the time of survey was somewhat late in the year to pick up indicator species. The woodland does, however, lie at the extremity of Car Colston parish – a situation where continuous woodland cover is most likely to have existed.

A pheasant pen is located in mid-wood and game cover crops lie alongside the southern margin. A hedge surrounds the plantation and two internaldry ditches drain the western end.

2.1.2History of management

Some recent planting has taken place, mainly of field maple; but part has failed.

2.1.3Habitats and important species

Perhaps a quarter of the trees have a curtain of ground ivy extending upwards to the crown. As the chief objective would be to maintain the wood as a landscape feature, and for conservation; there is little need to consider any large scale removal of it. Some of the larger standing trees have splits and holes that appear suitable for hole nesting birds and potentially roosting bats.

2.1.4Landscape

Shackerdale Wood is part of a group of small woodlands that lie on the edge of the Devon valein an open landscape of arable and permanent grassland farmland. As such it is valuable for providing a varied skyline; and is (soon to be was!) visible from the busy A46 nearby.

2.1.5Cultural features

None identified.

2.1.6Historical features

No features were noted within the woodland but the north-eastern margin is coincident with the parish boundary between Screveton and Car Colston.

2.2Stoneydale Plantation (SK 7244 5569)

2.2.1Description

Stoneydale Plantation is a square of woodland, of southerly aspect, with what appears to be a complex history. The central area comprises old beech standards planted in 1940-48 with occasional oaks and rare silver birch – probably planted a century or more ago. Underneath this canopy the wood is relatively uncluttered and open with occasional holly bushes and little ground flora except a beech leaf carpet and some ferns.

Around the perimeter of the wood, old beech is absent and the treescape is much younger. This appears to have resulted from elms being felled during the 1970 and 1980’s (dutch elm disease) – though recovers since has come from the coppiced stools – and a later phase of ash, oak and beech in 1984 and 1985. Other species do occur –hawthorn, holly - but the whole outer woodland is now dominated by sycamore regeneration. The sycamore has now even invaded the central beech wood too. One or two older trees do occur in the perimeter plantation, notably ash in the east. On older OS maps, both broadleaved and coniferous symbols are shown, implying that some of the latter may once have existed (larch and douglas fir, felled when elms were coppiced) – perhaps in much the fashion of Shackerdale Wood a short distance to the south-west.

A power line runs down the south-western perimeter. A pheasant pen occupies a small rectangle close to the south-east margin.

2.2.2History of management

Since the wholesale clearance of some 30 years ago; a little management, thinning mostly, seems to have taken place in the southern parts, and there has been a lot of felling underneath the power cable.

2.2.3Habitats and important species

Some of the larger standing beech trees have splits and holes that appear suitable for hole nesting birds and potentially roosting bats. The wood is an SNCI but chiefly designated on its landscape value; as opposed to its species assemblage.

2.2.4Landscape

The woodland is part of a group of small woodlands that lie in an open landscape of mainly arable farmland; and locally visible from the Devon vale. Not far away lies FlinthamPark and this wood is designated as an SNCI on the basis of its linkage with this in the local treed landscape.

2.2.5Cultural features

The woodland lies adjacent to a quiet and narrow country lane, but is not highly visible from the A46. A public right of way lies on the north-western boundary.

2.2.6Historical features

An old ridge and furrow system was noted on the southern side of the wood.

2.3Hollingworth Plantation (SK 7244 9638)

2.3.1Description

This is asmall rectilinear plantation of newish planting (est 15-20 years) lying in low topography. The principal species are cherry, oak and ash; the cherry dominating the southern and western boundary strips. Internally hawthorn, field maple, elm and elder are sporadic. At the southern edge the cherry has suckered freely and access is difficult where this has happened. The ground flora is dominated by patches of bramble. Minor deer damage is apparent.

2.3.2History of management

There appears to have been little management since planting. Pheasants were at some time reared, but the main emphasis now appears to be feeding.

2.3.3Habitats and important species

Deer are present. There is little by way of indicator species that would suggest long-term woodland cover, although the time of survey was not helpful in this regard.

2.3.4Landscape

This is one of several small woodlands that lie in open and low undulating landscape of theDevon vale.

2.3.5Cultural features

There are no public rights of way within or adjacent to the woodland.

2.3.6Historical features

There are no known historical features within the parcel.

2.4Blaggs Covert (SK 7243 6350)

2.4.1Description

Like Shackerdale Wood, this is a small mature, mixed, copse lying in Car Colston parish close to the parish boundary between it and Screveton but, paradoxically, only 200-300m from Screveton Church; and, one assumes, a former medieval settlement associated with the church. The principal mature species present are beech and ashbut in the eastern half the canopy composition includes scots pine, douglas fir and larch. Of note along the southern boundary is a single, majestic, black poplar; and a mature sycamore or two. Another black poplar – clad with ivy - is present internally, and a stately mature willow is located on the northern boundary. The wood was created between 1940 and 1950 by the Blagg family and had both east-west and north-south rides although these are now barely discernable.

The understorey comprises a mix of elder, ash and sycamore. Some younger oak is present.

The ground flora includes large areas of nettle and cow parsley.

2.4.2History of management

There appears to have been little recent treemanagement, but at ground level space has been made for the erection of a pheasant pen and attendant stack of half tonne straw bales. At the eastern end, a pond of some size has been dug amongst the trees.

2.4.3Habitats and important species

There is little by way of indicator species that would suggest long-term woodland cover, although the time of survey was not helpful in this regard. The pond is a useful wetland feature, but was more imposed in this regard, rather than purposely or sympathetically designed. Ivy on many trees forms a good supply of nectar in winter months, as well as shelter for small birds and possibly bats for day roosting. An inactive badger sett is present.

2.4.4Landscape

This is one of several small woodlands that lie in open and low undulating landscape of the Devon vale. The species mix at canopy level forms a pleasant feature as viewed from the nearby road.

2.4.5Cultural features

A publicRight of Way lies along the western margin.

2.4.6Historical features

There do not appear to be any historical features within the parcel.

Table 1: Summary of important features of Woodland at Shackerdale Farm

4415 / 5569 / 9638 / 6350 / Details
Designated areas
Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
Other designations eg AONB, LNR / X / Nottinghamshire SNCI
Rare or threatened species
Red Data Book or BAP species / ? / ? / ? / Potential bat roosts
Rare or threatened species
Habitats
Ancient semi-natural woodland (ASNW)
Other semi-natural woodland
Plantations on ancient woodland sites (PAWS) / X? / X? / ?
Semi-natural features in PAWS
Woodland margins and hedges / X / pt
Veteran and other notable trees / X / Black Poplar
Breeding sites / X / X / X / Common woodland bird species
Habitats of notable species
Unimproved grassland
Rides and open ground
Valuable wildlife communities / X / X / X / Standing and fallen deadwood
Feeding area
Water
Watercourses / X / X / X / Ditches along margins of wood
Ponds / X / Immature
Landscape
Landscape designated areas
Landscape features
Rock exposures
Historic landscapes
Areas of woodland prominent from roads / X / X
Woodland prominent from settlements / X
Cultural features
Public rights of way adjacent or inside wood / X / ? / X / All adjacent
Prominent viewing points
Archaeological features
Historic features – parish boundary / X / X / X / Ridge and Furrow in 9638

3Management objectives

3.1Long term vision

The long term policy under HLS would be to increase the naturalness and conservation value of the woodlands. Any revenue from the standing timber is a bonus.

3.2Management objectives

No / Objective
1 / Enhance the semi-natural character of the woods: decrease extent of non native or invasive tree species
2 / Target management for biodiversity, mainly through diversification of age structure, stand types, balanced with non-intervention areas
3 / Increase density and diversity of shrub component through selective thinning of canopy
4 / Free areas of natural regeneration by opening up canopy to allow light to reach ground
5 / Maintain and enhance both standing and fallen deadwood habitat
6 / Extend woodland through planting on adjacent farmland to enhance opportunities
for wildlife

3.3Strategy

The strategy is to selectively implement the objectives by:

• Removing non native tree species gradually from the canopy
• Promoting natural regeneration of native broadleaves
• Increasing light reaching the woodland floor to benefit ground flora
• Improving the diversity and age structure to benefit biodiversity and landscape character

4Management prescriptions/ operations

4.1Silvicultural systems

4.1.1Thinning

Thinning allows the removal of poorer quality stems to enable crown development and girth increment of the better trees. This should be balanced against the need to retain some standing deadwood trees which have a high wildlife value. Thinning should favour the native broadleaved trees, with the gradual removal of non-native species such as sycamore, horse chestnut and poplar. As a general rule broadleaves should be thinned a little and often on a regular cycle of between 5-10 years. Where economically viable, thinnings should be removed from woodland, with a proportion left as deadwood. Brash should be stacked and left as deadwood habitat. Naturally regenerated or planted locally native species within the plantations should be left standing.

It is important that woodland operations are not carried out in wet conditions to avoid soil compaction. Should ground conditions not allow winter felling, work could be carried out in August after the bird nesting season.Awkward corners and wet areas of the woodland will be left completely unmanaged to allow the growth of larger over mature trees and the associated deadwood habitat

A felling licence may be needed before you carry out felling. Felling licences can be obtained from the Forestry Commission (see 7. Further Help).

4.2New planting

New planting would extend any of these valuable copses. On this farm a northern extension of Shackerdale Wood would be highly desirable. 0.30ha is proposed.A small 6m extension along the southern margin is also proposed for Blaggs Wood, exclusively for shrubs to provide a warm ‘edge’ effect for birds and butterflies.

Other than the above, new planting is restricted to gapping up cleared coupes within Shackerdale itself (0.10ha), and Stoneydale Plantation (0.30ha – 0.15ha + 0.15ha).

4.2.1Species selection

Species selection is based on locally native species present within nearby woodland and hedgerows. Adjacent woodland closely fits the native woodland type (W8 – Lowland mixed broad-leaved woodland with dogs mercury) and a list of major and minor trees and shrubs is recommended in FC Bulletin 112. Elm should be avoided.

Major trees – pedunculate oak, ash, small-leaved lime

Minor trees – holly, field maple, scots pine

Major shrubs – hazel, hawthorn

Minor shrubs – blackthorn, guelder rose, dog rose, wayfaring tree.

Table 2: New tree and shrub numbers

Species / 4415
Extension / 4415
Internal / 5569 / 6350
Extension / Total
Small-leaved lime / 5 / 1 / 5 / 11
Oak / 100 / 20 / 100 / 220
Ash / 50 / 20 / 50 / 120
Scots Pine / 20 / 5 / 20 / 45
Field maple / 35 / 0 / 35 / 70
Holly / 15 / 5 / 15 / 35
Hazel / 35 / 20 / 35 / 15 / 105
Hawthorn / 35 / 0 / 35 / 15 / 85
Guelder rose / 20 / 10 / 20 / 15 / 65
Dog rose / 10 / 10 / 10 / 10 / 40
Wayfaring Tree / 10 / 10 / 10 / 10 / 40
Total / 335 / 101 / 335 / 65 / 836

4.2.2Ground preparation

Arable field by Shackerdale (4415). The planting site iscurrently in stubble. It is recommended that the ground remains uncultivated prior to tree planting to limit the establishment of arable weeds. Alternatively a low maintenance grass sward could be established prior to tree establishment.

4.2.3Tree planting

Trees will be individually protected using guards with a 1.2m height to prevent damage by deer,which are present in the vicinity.

4.2.4Planting design

Trees are to be planted at an average of 1100 trees per hectare with the main tree species to be planted in single species groups of 10-25 trees. Shrubs and smaller stature trees are to be mainly planted along margins,

4.2.5Maintenance

Chemical weed control is to be carried out for at least the first three years until the trees have successfully established. Weed control will be carried to spot treat individual trees to maintain a 0.5m radius free of weeds.

4.2.6Beating up

Beating up is the replacement of trees that die during the first growing season and may be necessary to ensure that tree density still satisfies the terms of contract with Natural England. All failed plants to be replaced by 31 December following each of the first two growing seasons. Plants to be replaced with species from the original list, as far as practical to replace like for like at the tree station.

4.3Other operations

4.3.1Sycamore control

Currently sycamore is present as re-generated saplings and coppice regrowth. These should be felled close to the ground to prevent the further spread of sycamore. The stumps will need to be treated with an approved herbicide to prevent regrowth from the cut stumps.

4.4Protection and maintenance

4.4.1Pest and disease management

Increasing numbers of deer in the local area may pose a threat to future woodland management particularly to natural regeneration and coppicing operations. Deer do not currently appear to be causing significant damage but their future impact should be monitored

4.5Protecting and enhancing biodiversity

The following recommendations are based on a survey made of the woodland:

• Enhance and maintain the permanent and temporary open space habitat in the woodland
• Thinning and felling operations should be carried out sensitively to minimise disturbance to existing semi-natural habitat and sudden change within the landscape.
• Management should favour the full range of site-native tree/shrub species
• All forestry operations should be avoided during the bird-breeding season (i.e. all felling and coppicing operations should occur between August and March).
• Retain standing and fallen deadwood on the site in compliance with the UK Forestry Standard for its value to invertebrates, fungi and the woodland community.
• Restocking should be by natural regeneration if possible though this approach may not be successful for species such as oak. If planting is considered essential, stock should be of local provenance. Deer control measures, may be required to ensure new tree establishment and good coppice re-growth.

5Work programmes

5.1Work-guide

Compartment or area; General strategy / Activity / Year
1
2011 / 2
2012 / 3
2013 / 4
2014 / 5
2015
Shackerdale Wood
Minimal Intervention – Landscape and Conservation
Extend Woodland / Modest thin of ash and oak to favour better quality stems. Retain largest oaks.Fell many of the peripheral coniferous species, but favouring scots pine
Clear fell onesmall coup to createa 0.10ha clearing to free natural regeneration and enhance age structure of woodland.
Leave ivy on trees if possible – In a conservation woodland it will not affect commercial income
Plant a new area of woodland on the northern margin / *
*
* / *
*
Stoneydale Plantation
Thinning and enhancement – Landscape and Conservation / Retain the ‘beech wood’ in the central area. Retain all standard trees of whatever species.
Widen the internal ride to 10m; Extend to southern margin of the wood.
Eradicate sycamore (see 4.3) in central beech ‘square’
Eradicatealmost all sycamore regeneration; coppice elm and sycamore (where coppiced in the past) within the ‘outer’ woodland. Remove ALL dead elm and burn off-site.
Clear fell twoirregular shaped coups (one on each side of the wood) of circa 0.15ha size and replant with native broadleaved trees and shrubs. / *
*
*
* / *
*
* / *
* / *
* / *
Hollingworth Plantation
Heavy thinning and maintenance – Timber and Landscape / Cut all suckering cherry
Selectively thin the whole plantation
Coppice all elm
Eradicate all sycamore / * / *
*
* / * / *
Blaggs Covert
Minimal Intervention – Landscape and Conservation / Fell several douglas fir and larch
Plant along the southern margin at 3m interval in two staggered rows at 3m apart, and at least 3m from current wood margin (=65 shrubs)
Fill in the pond where it has been extended into the wood. Get rid of the straw mountain, despite the protection it gives to the pheasant coup; as it attracts vermin and enriches the woodland floor. Leave to regenerate naturally. Weed control as necessary.
Retain all un-saleable timber as deadwood; leave some standing timber to encourage insects, bats and woodpeckers etc.
Consider ceasing pheasant rearing in this copse / *
*
*
*
* / *
*
*
All / Monitoring of deer activity / * / * / * / * / *

6Further Help

Organisation / Telephone / Website
Natural England / 0300 060 4717 (Brian Dunning, Project Officer) /
Forestry Commission / 01623 821436 (Edwinstowe Office) /

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