Woodland Management
A Woodland for People and Wildlife
The twin objectives of enhancing The Copse for the benefit of people and wildlife underpin most of the activities of Holt Copse Conservation Volunteers.
Encouraging the Herbaceous Flora
Dense thickets of holly developed once Holt Copse ceased being managed actively. Consequently less sunlight reached the woodland floor and the herbaceous flora and its associated wildlife all went into decline. Thinning the holly and clearing some areas of bramble should reverse this trend and allow a more diverse range of herbaceous flora to re-establish. It will also benefit the hazel which will be coppiced roughly every 7 – 10 years, although more will need to be planted where it is sparse. Regular coppicing will further encourage herbaceous species like bluebells and wood anemones, that make a vivid display in the Copse in the spring.
Regeneration of the Oak Trees
Mature oaks predominate in the Copse (80 per cent of the area), but many are showing their age. Some have died and many more are senescing and losing vigour, but little re-generation from acorns has occurred, principally because of competition from the shrub layer. A project to replace some of the dead trees began in 2013, but deciding where and how many trees to plant to avoid an over dense leaf canopy, needs careful consideration and planning.
The twin objectives of enhancing The Copse for the benefit of people and wildlife underpin most of the activities of Holt Copse Conservation Volunteers.
Encouraging the Herbaceous Flora
Dense thickets of holly developed once Holt Copse ceased being managed actively. Consequently less sunlight reached the woodland floor and the herbaceous flora and its associated wildlife all went into decline. Thinning the holly and clearing some areas of bramble should reverse this trend and allow a more diverse range of herbaceous flora to re-establish. It will also benefit the hazel which will be coppiced roughly every 7 – 10 years, although more will need to be planted where it is sparse. Regular coppicing will further encourage herbaceous species like bluebells and wood anemones, that make a vivid display in the Copse in the spring.
Regeneration of the Oak Trees
Mature oaks predominate in the Copse (80 per cent of the area), but many are showing their age. Some have died and many more are senescing and losing vigour, but little re-generation from acorns has occurred, principally because of competition from the shrub layer. A project to replace some of the dead trees began in 2013, but deciding where and how many trees to plant to avoid an over dense leaf canopy, needs careful consideration and planning.