Spring woodland tasks
Spring is here! Here’s our list of tasks to undertake when your woodland is starting to come to life.
Deer Surveys
Spring is the ideal time to identify signs of deer whilst the ground is still damp and keep an eye out for damage, including browsing on young trees and shrubs. Take this further by conducting visual surveys to assess deer activity and understand the potential impact on woodland flora and the regeneration of trees from the local population of deer.
Consider implementing management or control strategies if populations exceed sustainable levels.
Bird and Other Animal Surveys
Take stock of what other life is calling your woodland home, such as performing bird surveys to monitor nesting activity and species diversity. Ensure that there is adequate cover and food sources for nesting birds in the woodland. Consider noting what you see, or don’t see each year to track any changes in woodland visitors.
Identify any preferred nesting sites and assess habitat suitability for various bird species. Consider making changes to welcome in different species for later in the year, or manage the understory vegetation to provide suitable nesting habitats without causing excessive disturbance. You could also consider installing nest boxes or creating habitat features (such as standing deadwood) to support avian populations.
Pest and Disease Monitoring
Late spring is an ideal time to inspect trees for signs of pests and diseases. Pests (such as beetles) can cause damage such as bark stripping, leaf damage and unusual growths, whereas diseases of common tree diseases include Ash Dieback or Acute Oak Decline.
It is important to report any unusual findings to a qualified arboricultural consultant for further assessment. (You can contact us for an assessment, as Matt is qualified to assess pests & diseases and is a tree health surveyor for the Woodland Trust).
Vegetation Assessment
Take stock of what is growing in your woodland by surveying the ground flora to understand plant diversity and growth patterns. Particularly, look to identify any invasive species that may need management or control efforts.
Assess the health and growth of established trees and shrubs, as well as assessing the volume of natural generation of new trees from seeds. It is important to ensure that the next generation of trees are establishing themselves successfully.
Open Space Management
Evaluate the open areas within the woodland to ensure they are appropriately managed for both biodiversity and recreation. Ensure there is a plan for mowing or maintaining paths to enhance accessibility while preserving wildflower and plant communities.
Encourage a mix of light and shade across the woodland to support various flora and fauna. Don’t forget that most animals in the woodland will need a bit of shade and open spaces to feed or hunt, such as bats or owls.
By completing these tasks in the spring, woodland owners can ensure their woodlands thrive and contribute positively to local biodiversity and ecosystem health.
If you haven’t yet completed a Woodland Condition Assessment to give you a baseline understanding of the health of your woodland, we’re still offering them for FREE.
Or, if you feel your woodland could do with some attention to boost biodiversity, or you’re not sure where to begin with woodland management, we can support your with a Woodland Management Plan, providing you with the advice you need to undertake work, or we can undertake the work for you.
Get in touch to find out more.
