Woodland Management

HLM provides all aspects of woodland management, from woodland creation plans and grant applications, through to producing Forestry Commission approved Woodland Management Plans and contractor management for timber harvesting and restocking.

Understanding Woodland Management

Woodland management is the planned care and sustainable use of woods to meet objectives such as timber production, biodiversity enhancement, recreation, aesthetic value, and climate resilience

It is a long-term process which may span decades and involves assessing the woodland’s current condition, history, species composition, and age structure. Key woodland types in the UK include broadleaf, conifer, and mixed woodlands, each requiring different management approaches

Key Management Techniques

Thinning and Selective Felling: Removing competing or poor-quality trees to improve growth, timber quality, and forest resilience.
Coppicing and Pollarding: Traditional methods that encourage regrowth while providing wood products .
Restocking: Planting native or climate-resilient species to maintain woodland cover after felling .
Pest and Disease Control: Monitoring and responding to threats such as ash dieback or deer and squirrel damage .
Habitat Management: Designing woodland structure to support biodiversity, including deadwood retention, riparian buffers, and varying tree age classes

Woodland management in the UK requires a structured plan, knowledge of techniques and legal frameworks, sustainable harvesting practices, ecological stewardship, and a long-term vision to ensure healthy, productive, and resilient woodlands for future generations. Proper planning, professional advice, and engagement with local authorities and grant programs are key to successful woodland management.

Woodland Creation

Woodland creation is the process of establishing new wooded areas, either by planting trees or encouraging natural regeneration, to enhance biodiversity, improve the environment, and provide social and economic benefits.

What Woodland Creation Involves

Woodland creation involves transforming land, which may previously have been used for agriculture, pasture, or other purposes, into new wooded ecosystems. This can be achieved through:

Tree planting: Actively planting native or suitable tree species to establish woodlands.
Natural regeneration: Allowing trees to grow naturally from seeds already present in the soil or dispersed from nearby woods.

The choice of method depends on factors like soil type, climate, land use history, and conservation goals.

Woodland creation has multiple environmental, social, and economic benefits:

Biodiversity enhancement: New woodlands provide habitats for wildlife, supporting birds, insects, and other species that rely on forest ecosystems.
Climate mitigation: Trees absorb carbon dioxide, helping reduce greenhouse gas concentrations and combat climate change.
Soil and water management: Woodlands reduce soil erosion, improve water quality by filtering runoff, and help regulate water flow.
Recreation and well-being: Wooded areas offer spaces for walking, cycling, and enjoying nature, contributing to physical and mental health.
Timber and non-timber resources: Created woodlands can provide sustainably managed timber, firewood, and other forest products.