Replanting and replacing

With any new woodland plantation, some trees will fail. This could be because of pests or natural conditions. However, when a high proportion of plants of the same species fail, it may mean they either don’t suit the site or they were sub-standard on delivery. When failures occur in clusters or in a particular pattern on the site, the site conditions are probably the cause. If this is the case, Glorious Woodlands will check the area for poor drainage or other soil problems.

Replacing trees in the first few years after planting is called beating up. It is normal for some trees to fail from difficult conditions or from pest damage. Glorious Woodlands will discuss a maintenance plan with you which involves what percentage of trees you’re willing to accept loosing before you decide to replace them. Glorious Woodlands will maintain your young woodland so as to create the smallest loss we can.

Beating up is best done in the first two years after planting, or the replacements will have little chance of catching up with other trees. Where trees are spaced 3 metres apart or wider, Glorious Woodlands will replace all the failed trees. Whereas 2 metre spacings between trees allows one plant for every two failures to be planted. 

Damage from mammals is another important part of your woodland. If you assess the number of deer and their patterns of movements during summer and winter, this will give you an idea of the most pressured areas. Deer’s impact on trees and tree regeneration in different areas of your woodland may reveal the need to protect trees and vegetation. Glorious Woodlands will identify these areas before too much damage has been caused helps the vegetation grow. Once the areas to be protected have been identified, Glorious Woodlands can implement fencing to stop mammals such as deer entering the area. We will also create a ramp from within the fenced area to help any mammals which are trapped get themselves out. 

Natural regeneration is the process by which existing woodlands regenerate. The advantages of this are: the species will be matched to the site, a natural and uneven distribution will result aiding structural diversity and there are no costs for planting (although protection may be required). 

Deer affect the success of regeneration and the regrowth of coppice. Glorious Woodlands can create fencing to be used around woodland regeneration plots which deters deer. Treeshelters are normally the best method for protecting seedlings and provide a useful marker for weeding operations. As part of your Glorious Woodlands maintenance plan, weeding will be continued for at least three years. This is until the leading shoots of the trees are well clear of competing weeds and have a high chance of succeeding.

In woodland planting schemes, native shrubs and trees which colonise the planted area are usually desirable. They provide a greater variety of species, structure and cover. However, it may be necessary to control them to keep glades and rides open, allow more desirable trees to thrive and maintain a full range of woodland structure. Too dense regeneration will result in spindly, unstable trees, heavy shade and poor ground flora. Glorious Woodlands will cut woody weeds by hand and normally we will remove the stump to treat it to prevent regrowth.