Download Woodland Management Plan for Nucleus Plantation, Coddenham

Woodland Management Plan
for
Nucleus Plantation,
Coddenham, Suffolk
25th February 2012
Contents
Section One: Introduction
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Section two: Description of Woodland
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Section three: Management Aims
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Section four: Management objective
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Section five: Constraints
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Section six: Prescriptions
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Key for Appendix One
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Appendix One - Map Displaying General Site Information
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Appendix Two – Map of Proposed Felling and Restocking Sites
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Appendix Three – Work Plan
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Section One: Introduction
This plan sets out aims and objectives for the woodland and provides management
prescriptions for the period 2012 to 2017.
The information gained for this plan was gathered during site visits on the 14th and
21st February and from data held by statutory bodies.
Section two: Description of Woodland
Grid reference: TM 135 545 (where permissive footpath enters woodland from
public open space/sports facility)
Area: Approximately 1.1 hectares
Woodland type: National Vegetation Classification W8
Altitude range: 40 to 50 metres.
Status: The southern section of the woodland lies within the Coddenham
Conservation Area (the extent that lies within the conservation area is shown in
Appendix One - Map Displaying General Site Information). Otherwise no statutory
designations identified.
Legal Details: The woodland is held in trust by The Day Land Trust.
General description: The woodland is situated on a north west facing escarpment
that runs to the east of the settlement of the village of Coddenham. Along its north
east boundary are the gardens of domestic dwellings, a public open space/sports
facility and an area of scrub that has been earmarked for development. To the north
and south are areas of woodland .To the south east is arable agricultural land and
pasture. There is a permissive footpath through the southern section of the site.
There are no rides or roads within the woodland. The land use of the areas adjoining
the woodland and the permissive footpath are highlighted in Appendix One – Map
Displaying General Site Information
The soil is a light sandy loam with significant gravel content and appears to be
uniform across the site. The underlying geology is chalk. Consequently the site is
free draining and there are no streams or ponds. Along the south west boundary is a
bank and dry ditch.
The dominant tree species of the site are sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) and elm
(Ulmus species). Sycamore is present across the entire site. The elm mainly lies on
the site’s north west and south east boundaries. Along the bank on the south east
boundary is what appears to be the remnants of a neglected elm hedge. At the
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northern end of the site oak (Quercus robur) predominates with sycamore. Ash
(Fraxinus excelsior), Field maple (Acer campestre) and hornbeam (Carpinus betulus)
are also present. The upper age limit of trees present on the site is estimated to be
approximately 80 years. Some of the sycamore has been coppiced at least once but
these stools do not suggest that coppicing has been a long term management
practice on the site and that it ceased to be carried out some time ago, as the regrowth from these stools is now as tall as the adjacent maiden trees. Basal decay
has developed in some of these coppice stools.
In the southern and northern sections a dense shrub layer of Holly (Ilex aquifolium)
has developed. On the boundaries Elder (Sambucus nigra) and Hawthorn (Crataegus
monogyna) are intermittently present. Small amounts of hazel (Corylus avellana) are
present.
The main ground flora species present across most of the site at the time of
inspection was bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta). There were also significant
areas of snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis). Other ground flora species noted at time of
inspection are bramble (Rubus sp.), common dog-violet (Viola riviniana), cuckoo
flower (Arum maculatum), lesser celandine (Ranunculus ficaria), purple deadnettle
(Lamium purpureum), ivy (Hedra helix), nettle (Urtica dioica), red campion (Silene
dioica). At its southern most extent where the site adjoins an area of recently
planted woodland (circa 2000) cow parsley (Anthriscus sylvestis) and goose grass
(Galium aparine) were noted.
No rare or unusual fauna appear to be present. The presence of a rookery was
noted at time of inspection.
No archaeological features were identified during the site inspections.
The woodland is a prominent sky line feature within the locality.
Evaluation: The woodland appears to be secondary and is not designated as being
either semi-natural ancient woodland (ASNW) or a planted ancient woodland site
(PAWS). The bluebell present is likely to be a reintroduction or has arisen from a
remnant population and has re-colonised the area as opposed to being an indicator
that the area is either an ASNW or PAWS.
The site has some value in terms of habitat and wildlife. This is limited to a degree
by the site’s size, its remoteness from larger areas of more species rich woodland, its
relatively young age, structure and the relatively high proportion of sycamore
present.
The site provides a good opportunity for informal recreation and this has been
encouraged by the construction of the permissive footpath in the southern section.
The local community could become involved with the woodland’s management with
tasks such as tree planting, footpath maintenance and litter clearance.
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Standing as it does on an escarpment, the woodland is a prominent skyline feature
within the locality. Consequently, and due to its proximity to the settlement of
Coddenham, the woodland provides significant public visual amenity.
Section three: Management Aims
1. To maintain the opportunity for public access and visual public amenity that
the woodland currently provides.
2. To maintain and enhance the habitat and wildlife value of the woodland.
3. Where consistent with aims 1 and 2, provide a sustainable source of timber
Section four: Management objectives
1. Fulfil all legal or contractual obligations committed to within the plan period.
2. Identify and undertake works to ensure the safety of people visiting the site
(or people and property adjoining the site).
3. Increase species diversity and improve the current habitat and wildlife value
of the site by (a) undertaking small scale felling works and enrichment
planting and by (b) the retention of some standing and fallen deadwood
where appropriate.
4. Plan and undertake works in such a manner as to maintain the visual public
amenity the woodland currently provides.
5. To provide a sustainable source of timber.
Section five: Constraints
At the southern end of the site there is an 11 Kilovolt electricity line and polemounted transformer. Towards the northern end of the south east boundary there is
another pole for a further 11 kilovolt electricity line. The position of these poles is
shown on appendix one.
Much of the site is relatively steep. This may make the extraction of timber from
some parts of the site unfeasible either in terms of prohibitive cost or as it may
result in unacceptable ground damage. Consequently, some produce arising from
felling may have to be left in situ, but this would provide a wildlife habitat.
Obligations: Duty of care to people visiting the site.
Resources: Some works may be eligible for grant funding. Members of the local
community could undertake works such as tree planting, footpath maintenance and
litter clearance.
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Section six: Prescriptions
1. Ensure that where necessary a felling licence is obtained or notification is
given to the local authority in respect of works within the conservation area
Objective 1.
2. Annual walk through hazard survey of the woodland to be undertaken by a
competent person. The significant findings of the survey to be recorded along
with appropriate remedial measures and direction given with regard to the
timescales in which these measures should be carried out. Additional surveys
carried out when deemed necessary following extraordinary weather events.
Objective 2.
3. Remedial works identified in hazard survey to be carried out in accordance
with timescale directions. Objective 2.
4. In areas where it is appropriate to do so, retain standing dead trees.
Objectives 2 and 3.
5. Fell areas as detailed in Appendix Two – Proposed Felling and Restocking
Sites. Extract timber where this can be carried out without causing significant
ground damage. Treat with an appropriate herbicide stumps of any sycamore
felled in these areas.Objectives 3,4 and 5.
6. Replant cleared areas with the following species mixture –
i. field Maple (Acer campestre) 10%,
ii. guelder rose (Viburnum opulus) 20%
iii. hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) 10%
iv. oak (Quercus robur ) 10
v. small-leaved lime (Tilia cordata) 10%
vi. spindle (Euonymus europeaus) 20%
vii. wayfaring-tree (Viburnum lantana) 20%
Spacing of approximately 2.5 metres between plants Protect from browsing
by either 1.2 metre tree tubes or shrub tubes as appropriate. Shrub species to
predominantly be planted along woodland edge. Objectives 3 and 4.
7. Chemically weed new planting for two growing seasons following planting.
(Objectives 3 and 4)
8. Four years after planting clean replanting areas (the removal of any unwanted
woody species where necessary to favour replanted stock), Treating any
sycamore regeneration with an appropriate herbicide. (Objectives 3 and 4).
9. In areas where is appropriate to do so, retain some large diameter fallen or
felled timber on the ground. Objectives 2 and 3.
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10. Maintain permissive footpath using timber produced on site. Objectives 2 and
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Appendix One - Map Displaying General Site Information
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Appendix Two – Map of Proposed Felling and Restocking Sites
Proposed felling/replanting areas in red – route of permissive path in blue
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