Density of planting
High stocking can speed up your woodland's canopy closure which helps to control weeds.
The standard plant spacing for large scale planting of broadleaved and conifer planting is 2,250 trees per hectare which is 910 per acre (2.1 metre spacing). This is the quickest planting pattern to establish a woodland. As the canopy closes, it reduces the competition for weeds. Wider spacing (3 metres) means the canopy will take longer to close and there will be a bushier form between trees and shrubs. (TCV)
Glorious Woodlands will provide you with woodland maintenance, either directly or as a written plan. For wider spacings of 3 metres, the vegetation requires more management. We will mow the spacings in late summer to prevent brambles taking over from the plants species. Cutting once a year provides a short term habitat for wildlife. A benefit of wider spacing is thinning is less required.
Species do not grow at the same rate so grouping is helpful.
In your woodland design, Glorious Woodlands will show planting groups. In a a 2m x 2m spacing, groups of 9 trees of the same species are recommended. However, this will require some to be thinned later on. Spacings of 3m x 3m will allow groups of 5 or 7 species.
Row planting is quick and easy. However, if you would like a more natural pattern, Glorious Woodlands will undertake complex planting clusters of unevenly spaced trees of varying species with varying gaps.
Glades
If you want to incorporate glades in your Glorious Woodlands design, we will create a glade that will remain open when the trees have matured. To create this the space will be at least 25 metres in diameter.
Hedge planting
For a single hedge, Glorious Woodlands will plant a row of trees 30cm apart. For a thick hedge, we will plant a double row of trees about 50cm apart, 40-45cm between trees, in a zig zag pattern. This creates a natural style hedge which has a beautiful design aesthetic as well as being a valuable habitat.
