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The Care and Management of Rotherhams Woodland Estate'

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Title: The Care and Management of Rotherhams Woodland Estate'


1
The Care and Management of Rotherhams Woodland
Estate.
2
CONTENTS
  • Introduction
  • Management planning
  • Management of trees and other plants
  • Management for ecology
  • Management for access
  • Community involvement
  • Archaeology
  • Landscape protection
  • Timber uses
  • Threats
  • Opportunities
  • Forest Stewardship Council

3
INTRODUCTION
  • Rotherham Borough Councils woodland estate
    extends to 482 hectares and includes 42
    individual sites.
  • Approximately half of these are ancient woodlands
    these are recognised as the most important
    woodland type in England for nature conservation.
  • Ancient woods make up only about 1 of land cover
    in the UK.

4
The woods are being managed for
MANAGEMENT PLANNING
  • Their benefits for personal health and well-being
    e.g. recreation and education.
  • Wildlife conservation.
  • Landscape importance.
  • Protection of historic features.
  • Production of wood products.

5
Policies and strategies
  • The Councils woodland planning and management is
    done in accordance with, European, national,
    regional and local legislation, policies and
    strategies.

6
Woodland management plans
  • The council has been working for many years to
    prepare management documentation for each
    woodland to guide management.
  • All woodlands have a site appraisal providing
    brief information about the woodland.
  • Many woodlands have a management plan in place
    providing detailed information about the site
    together with a five year work programme. The
    work programmes are reviewed every five years.
  • Each plan has a number of main aims and
    objectives.

7
The main aims
  • To conserve the semi natural characteristics and
    natural history of woodland and to promote
    diverse woodland structure.
  • To promote the benefits of wellbeing and sense of
    place in woodlands, together with provision for
    safe and appropriate access and recreation.
  • To involve the community in care and management
    of woodland and to encourage its use as an
    education resource.
  • To protect and encourage further research of
    woodland archaeology and historic interest.
  • To perpetuate and promote the character of
    woodland in the landscape.
  • Subject to all of the above, maximise income to
    offset expenditure.

8
The objectives
  • The aims are supported by a number of objectives
    that vary from site to site.
  • These objectives identify a whole range of steps
    and operations to be carried out to deliver the
    aims e.g. tree felling.

9
AIM 1To conserve the semi natural
characteristics and natural history of woodland
and to promote diverse woodland structure-
MANAGEMENT OF TREES AND OTHER PLANTS
1. The main tree management operations to achieve
this aim are 2. Selective thinning and promotion
of natural regeneration. 3. Selective felling and
promotion of natural regeneration. 4. Coppicing
Selective thinning operations in Wath Wood.
10
Selective thinning
  • Thinning involves the removal of only selected
    trees, often poorly formed trees, to promote the
    growth of the best trees in the woodland. This
    ensures continuous cover of woodland for
    generations to come.

Gibbing Greave in 2004 prior to thinning. Note
the absence of ground vegetation.
11
On the left of this photo the tree canopy is
closed making the woodland dark with no ground
flora or young trees. On the right of the photo
there are gaps in the tree canopy allowing more
light to reach the ground. Wild flowers, wood
anemone here, thrive in the increased light
levels.
Gibbing Greave in early spring.
12
Selective felling
  • The technique is used to fell small groups of
    trees from one particular area of woodland. The
    increased light levels encourage new trees to
    regenerate naturally from seed that is already
    present in the woodland.

Scholes Coppice, winter 2004.
Young trees growing in gaps created by Felling.
This is the next generation of trees in the
woodland.
13
  • This small clearing at Gallery Bottom, Grange
    Park was created in February 2003. This type of
    small scale felling operation is the Councils
    preferred method of working as it reduces the
    impact on wildlife and the landscape.

14
  • This is the same area in mid summer 2003.
  • Ground flora and young trees are quick to respond
    to the increased light levels.

15
Coppicing
  • Coppicing is a traditional form of management
    used as a method of harvesting crops from
    trees. The wood and timber is used for building,
    and fuel mainly. The steel industry in South
    Yorkshire was founded from the energy generated
    by charcoal produced from coppiced woodland.

Treeton Wood
Coppice stools
16
This area of Wath Wood was coppiced in January
2006.
Standard tree that will be allowed to grow into
a large tree.
These trees are retained to break up the
compartments helping to reduce the impact on the
landscape.
Area coppiced in the early 1990s. These trees
are now approximately 2 metres tall. The area is
very valuable for wildlife, particularly insect
and bird species.
New coppice stools
17
Coppicing under power-lines
  • There is a statutory obligation to maintain a
    safe distance between trees and utilities such as
    overhead power-lines. We work closely with
    statutory undertakers such as the National Grid
    to ensure that the work is done responsibly.
    Trees are only coppiced in small areas at a time
    to minimise the impact on the environment.

Treeton Wood in 2002.
18
  • This is the same area two years later. The bushy
    regrowth in the foreground is oak. These areas
    are valuable for wildlife, including butterflies.
    The purple hairstreak butterfly, protected by the
    Wildlife and Countryside Act owing to its rarity
    and dependant on this type of habitat, is found
    at this site.

19
Clear felling and replanting
  • This is another form of management sometimes
    practiced by some woodland owners.
  • All trees in the management area are felled at
    the same time. The trees are then replaced either
    by replanting or natural regeneration.
  • Clear felling tends to be done for economic
    reasons only.
  • Rotherham Borough Council does not use this form
    of management as it can have a significant impact
    on wildlife, amenity and landscape.
  • Rotherhams woodland estate relies mostly on
    natural regeneration rather than replanting.

20
Control of invasive species, including
non-native plants.
  • The main invasive species we need to control are
  • Bracken
  • Japanese knotweed
  • Himalayan balsam
  • Rhododendron
  • We need to control them because they can quickly
    colonise large areas, excluding native plants and
    preventing young trees from regenerating.

21
Bracken
Prior to a programme of control measures, large
areas of Canklow Wood had very dense bracken
growth. This made regeneration of trees difficult
in some areas. Dead bracken was also a
considerable fire risk in the spring. We control
bracken using a chemical called asulox. This is
selective, affecting only the bracken. The
chemical is taken up through the foliage and
passes down to the roots to slowly kill the
plant. Bracken can also be controlled mechanically
by rolling or grazing by certain animals.
Bracken in summer 2003 prior to control
22
This is the same area in summer 2004 following
treatment the previous year. The blackening on
the ground was not caused by the chemical but by
an illegal fire set in the dead bracken. Illegal
fires are no longer a problem in this area.
23
Japanese knotweed
Introduced to the UK in 1825 the plant is avery
fast growing perennial. The plant is very easily
spread by cuttings and grows well in any soil.
There are no natural controls in this country
the result, a very invasive plant that is
difficult to suppress. The plant is so
problematic it is a criminal offence to
propagate or spread the weed, punishable by a
large fine or a prison sentence. There are a
number of methods of control. Rotherham Borough
Council uses weedkiller to treat the weed. A
great deal more information about this plant is
available on the internet.
Japanese knotweed in Canklow Wood
24
Himalayan balsam
Introduced to the UK the plant has no natural
controls here and spreads very quickly. The
plant likes damp soils and is commonly found in
wetland areas and along river banks where the
seed is easily spread by water. Each plant
produces large numbers of seeds that are thrown
several metres when the seed pods burst. We are
currently undertaking a programme of
eradication in woodlands by hand pulling the
plants before they set seed. However, as seeds
can remain viable in the soil for several years
the control process must be completed over a
number of years to be effective. A search on the
internet will provide lots of information about
the weed.
Himalayan balsam in Hail Mary Wood near to
Treeton Dyke. Wet areas are a favourite habitat.
25
Rhododendron ponticum
There are many species of Rhododendron of all
sizes from dwarf to very large. This particular
species can grow to in excess of 3 metres in
height and is found mainly in woodland. It can
cover large areas casting dense shade, preventing
native plants, including naturally regenerating
trees, from establishing. Again a lot on
information about this plant is available on the
internet by doing a search for Rhododendron
ponticum.
Rhododendron ponticum flowers around June and can
look attractive to woodland visitors for a two
week period. This is Barber Wood, Grange Park
prior to control in 2004.
26
The main ecology considerations are
MANAGEMENT FOR ECOLOGY
  • To improve the quality and range of habitats in
    woodlands and to recognise the importance of
    continuing ecological survey.
  • To maintain and promote rare habitats in
    Rotherham.
  • Control invasive species.

27
Dead wood habitat
Standing dead wood is left in the woods to
provide nest sites for hole nesting birds, roost
sites for bats and habitat for invertebrates.
Bats look for cracks like this to roost in.
28
Tomorrows woodland soil.
Dead wood on the ground also provides homes for
invertebrates and a place for fungi to grow. The
wood slowly rots down releasing its nutrients
back to the ground, becoming tomorrows woodland
soil for the next generation of trees to grow.
29
  • Dense undergrowth provides shelter, natural
    nesting sites and food sources for birds such as
    long-tailed tits and wrens, and for small mammals
    like voles and woodmice.

Coppice area in Wath Wood.
30
Acid grassland
Acid grassland and heather are rare habitats in
Rotherham. There are areas of acid grassland and
heather in Canklow Wood. We protect these areas
by removing regenerating trees to keep them
open. These open spaces offer sheltered areas for
insects to thrive, which in turn become important
feeding areas for bats in the evenings.
31
AIM 2 To promote the benefits of health,
wellbeing and sense of place in woodlands,
together with provision for safe and appropriate
access and recreation.
MANAGEMENT FOR ACCESS
32
  • The woodlands within the estate vary in size,
    age, structure and character. All of these
    factors will determine the extent of
    opportunities for different forms of recreation.
  • Not every woodland can provide for all
    recreational opportunities but across the estate
    we provide facilities for walking, running,
    cycling, horse-riding, orienteering, education,
    study and photography.
  • Woodlands are prioritised for levels of
    recreational activity some are better able to
    cope with recreational pressures than others. The
    level of access depends on the sensitivity of the
    site. Woodlands with rare flora and fauna,
    including protected species require a greater
    degree of protection.
  • The council tries to provide for most interests
    wherever possible.

33
  • In total there are around 28 Km (16 miles) of
    footpaths and 8.2 Km (5 miles) of bridleway in
    the Councils woodlands.
  • All woodlands are open to pedestrians.
  • Canklow Wood, Scholes Coppice and Hail Mary Hill
    and Falconer Wood have bridleways.
  • Canklow Wood is better suited to orienteering
    than some other woods because of its large size.

34
Health and well-being
  • Regrettably Rotherham has some poor health
    statistics, particularly related to instances of
    circulatory disease.
  • Exercise is vital to combat the high instances of
    this type of disease in the district.
  • Rotherhams woodland estate offers an attractive
    and safe setting for exercise and to promote
    healthier lifestyles.

35
Access improvements
Bridleway improvements at Hail Mary Hill Wood
  • We endeavour to improve footpaths and bridleways
    where necessary. Where ever possible paths are
    upgraded to improve access opportunities for all.

Footpath improvements in Bray Plantation
36
Improvements to facilities
  • The council strives to find a balance between
    good access for all legitimate woodland uses
    whilst maintaining site security.
  • Upon request we will issue keys to users who need
    access through locked gates for pushchairs or
    wheelchairs, where appropriate.

37
Visitors are welcome.
  • Site entrance signs are being installed to make
    woods feel more welcoming to visitors.
  • Interpretative signs help explain the history and
    importance of the woodlands.
  • Much of this recent work has been funded by the
    Heritage Lottery Fund Award.

Typical entrance sign to Canklow Wood, installed
in autumn 2005.
38
  • These are typical signs
  • that can be found at the
  • entrances to many of our
  • ancient woodlands. These
  • were installed as part of
  • the recently completed
  • Heritage Lottery Fund
  • Award Fuelling a
  • Revolution, the woods that
  • founded the steel
  • country.

39
Interpretative trail in Canklow Wood
A trail, approximately 1.5 miles long can be
followed through Canklow Wood giving information
about the woodlands history, management, wildlife
and plants.
Map of the trail. Red is for all
abilities, yellow is the longer route. The dots
are waymarker posts. Blue is the scheduled
monument.
One of the interpretative posts. There is also a
leaflet, available at the Visitor Centre to help
follow the trail.
40
Installation of benches
  • Simple seats and benches are installed in many
    woodlands to improve facilities for users. If you
    have a suggested location in a woodland we would
    be happy to hear from you and give your
    suggestion some consideration.

41
Maintain and repair dry stone walls.
  • This project in 2005 completed the rebuilding of
    part of the dry stone wall at Treeton Wood (Wood
    Lane). We would very much like to rebuild the
    whole length of the wall if and when funds allow.

42
Scholes Coppice (Scholes Lane). This wall
was rebuild in 2004 with funding secured by
Scholes Village Association.
Historic boundary wall on the edge of Canklow
Wood restored in 2004 as part of The Heritage
Lottery Fund Award.
43
Where appropriate, access is provided for
woodland users.
The wall has been lowered at this point
in Canklow Wood for horse-riders.
A gap has been left in this part of the wall on
the edge of Canklow Wood for pedestrians. The
slope either side of this wall is steep and
unsuitable for wheelchair users.
44
Leaflets.
  • As part of the Heritage Lottery Fund Award, a
    series of leaflets have been produced for all of
    the ancient woodland sites in Rotherham.
  • Education packs have been developed to encourage
    local schools to use their local woodland.

45
Aim 3. To involve the community in care and
management of woodland and to encourage its use
as an education resource.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
? During the development of all management plans
comments are invited from local residents and
known interest groups in the area to ensure their
views are taken into account. ? The proposals are
presented at Area Assembly meetings to ensure
wider consultation. ? A good working relationship
has been established in and around many of the
woods over the years with interested members of
the community regarding woodland management.
46
Consultation
  • Local communities and known interest and user
    groups are kept informed of ongoing management
    and maintenance operations.
  • User groups that may be affected by management
    operations are given prior notice of works and
    where possible offered alternative provision.

47
AIM 4 To protect and encourage further research
of woodland archaeology and historic interest.
ARCHAEOLOGY
On the woodland estate there are 3 three
scheduled ancient monuments of national
importance and 100s of locally and regionally
important monuments. Archaeological features are
often better preserved in woodlands than on
agricultural land because there is less ground
disturbance from activities such as ploughing.
Caesars Camp, Scholes Coppice.
48
Archaeological survey
  • With the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund,
    detailed archaeological survey has been completed
    in five of the ancient woodlands.
  • These surveys identify the exact location of
    monuments and give as detailed a description as
    possible of their origin.
  • The work is essential in helping to protect
    archaeological monuments from damage.

Survey of Canklow Hill Earthworks in 2005.
Any work affecting a scheduled monument must
first have the consent of the Secretary of State
for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport.
49
Threats to scheduled monuments
  • Monuments can be an attractive place for mountain
    bikers and sometimes motorcyclists to use. This
    causes serious erosion to monuments.
  • More seriously, digging is causing irreversible
    damages to some monuments.
  • Unauthorised digging may result in prosecution.

Illegal digging of the Roman Ridge in Wath Wood
(2006)
50
Protection of monuments
  • Where ever possible we try to protect monuments
    from erosion and physical damage. Serious damage
    is reported to English Heritage.

Caesars camp in Scholes Coppice protected from
erosion by cyclists and horse riders using logs
from felling operations.
51
AIM 5 To perpetuate and promote the character of
woodland in the landscape.
LANDSCAPE PROTECTION
  • Woodlands contribute
  • significantly to the
  • landscape. In the
  • middle ground of this
  • picture is Scholes
  • Coppice. In the back
  • ground are woodlands
  • owned by the Wentworth
  • Estate.

52
  • In contrast to the
  • previous picture this
  • aerial photo shows
  • woodland in an
  • urban landscape in
  • close association with
  • housing.

The photo shows Anston Plantation in the
foreground with Alcove Plantation, North Anston,
in the background.
53
Timber extraction
TIMBER USES
Aim 6Subject to all of the above,
maximise income to offset expenditure.
  • A lot of the timber that is felled or coppiced is
    extracted from the woodland for furniture making,
    biofuel or firewood. Timber is extracted mainly
    by modern machinery but, in sensitive situations
    more traditional methods are used.

Extraction of timber over the golf course at
Grange Park in 2003 using specialist light weight
machinery and boards to prevent damage to the
golf course
54
  • Extraction by horse is one of the traditional
    forms of extraction.
  • This is much more sensitive and causes less
    damage than most modern machinery.

Wath Wood 2005
55
Wood products.
  • Wood and timber products from our woods have a
    number of end uses.
  • Biofuel to make carbon neutral green energy.
  • Woodland furniture such as benches.
  • Furniture frames.

A mobile saw bench working in Wickersley
Wood, managed by Wickersley Parish Council (2004).
56
Presently the greatest threat to Rotherhams
woodland estate is the impact of antisocial
behaviour problems.
THREATS
Sadly problems or littering, flytipping,
vandalism, arson, illegal motorcycling, theft and
damage to archaeology have become common place in
many of the woodlands. The measures taken to
address and put right these problems are causing
a serious drain on the very limited resources
available to manage the estate.
57
Funding and support for this work.
OPPORTUNITIES
  • The Heritage Lottery Fund has supported much of
    the work shown here, together with funds from
    Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, Forestry
    Commission and Countryside Agency (now Natural
    England).
  • The South Yorkshire Forest Partnership provides
    considerable support, including support to
    attract funding. Rotherham has benefited greatly
    from the Forest Resources Grant, European
    Objective 1 funding.
  • The woodland estate is included in the Forestry
    Commissions English Woodland Grant Scheme and
    receives an income from this to fund certain
    management operations.
  • Local communities and individuals contribute to
    the development of management plans and work
    programmes.
  • A considerable input has been received from
    Professor
  • M Jones, particularly with regards to
    interpretation
  • and cultural and historical accuracy.

58
Value for money?
  • Most of the woodlands are very close to where
    people live, many within close walking distance.
  • All woodlands are open 365 days a year and access
    is free to everyone to enjoy a wide range of
    activities.
  • The council hosts a number of free events
    throughout the year, including guided walks.
  • Leaflets for the ancient woodlands are available,
    free of charge.
  • Schools are welcome to use the woods as outdoor
    classrooms. Accompanied visits by Council staff
    may be arranged by appointment.

59
FOREST STREWARDSHIP COUNCIL
  • An international organisation established to
    ensure forest products are produced in a
    sustainable way that considers the other benefits
    of woodlands such as conservation and recreation.

60
  • Rotherham Borough Council was awarded the
    certificate in 2003 for its integrated and
    sustainable approach to woodland management.
  • The Council is subject to an annual interim audit
    and full audit every five years to ensure that
    standards are being maintained.
  • The council successfully completed a full audit
    in 2007 certifying the woodland estate for a
    further 5 years.
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