Oldridge Woods Tree Maintenance

In Mid July 2024, Forestry England will be carrying out timber harvesting in Oldridge Woods, where they will be thinning trees.

Much of Oldridge is classified as a Plantation on Ancient Woodland Site (PAWS) which means that Forestry England are gradually managing it back to the way it would have been several hundred years ago. They will manage the woodland to help native broadleaf species such as oak and birch to regenerate naturally.

Forestry England will be thinning across a large area of the woodland. This means removing selective trees for timber products. This will, in turn, give the remaining trees more light and space to grow to their full potential. It also lets more light onto the forest floor which helps the flora. This is part of their long-term sustainable management.

The woodland will be closed fully whilst operations work is carried out. Please follow all signs and instructions at all times. These are for the publics safety, whether or not you can see or hear Forestry England working. This will help them to finish working as quickly as possible.

Forestry work is very hazardous. A falling tree can weigh several tonnes and hit the ground at nearly 60mph. If a harvesting machine chainsaw snaps, it can fly through the forest like a bullet.

Before any forestry work is started, a thorough ecological survey is conducted to check for species such as birds, mammals, rodents, invertebrates, flora, and fungi. Forestry England consider these findings against complex factors including tree health, how the ground slopes, soil condition, and likely rainfall when planning work that will support the long-term management plan.

Residents may not be familiar with sustainable forest management, and Forestry England are keen to explain how this planned work supports the long-term health and resilience of the forest. Our climate is changing, bringing new threats to our trees, and we need to build resilience within our forests. With this in mind, they are already planning how they will restock the area with a diverse range of tree species that will thrive in the climate conditions that are expected in 2050 and beyond.

You can read the full forest plan for Oldridge and mid Devon online here -  Forestry England

For more information about Forestry England, their website can be found here