The many roles of our trees and woodland: Plans for balancing the love of countryside, wildlife, and future generations
With the hardships of the pandemic, many are seeking comfort and pleasure among trees. Connecting to nature has a big benefits for our wellbeing and this is needed more than ever. Over the past few months the woodlands and hedgerow footpaths around St Pauls Walden and Hitchwood have been enjoyed like never before. Here at Easthall Farm, we have been managing these woodlands and hedgerows, and the past few months have been a time of reflection on how to maximise the benefits to all.
This has led to the question: what are woodlands for? This is at the heart of our Landscape, Conservation and Environmental Plan drawn up with the Wildlife Trust, a Woodland Plan drawn up with Maydencroft and the Woodland Trust, and the development of a new 10 year conservation plan developed with the charity Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group. When asking ‘what are woodlands for?’ We identify three different perspectives that always need to be balanced.
Firstly, the plans for conservation put wildlife at the forefront of our minds. Monitoring of bats in Hitchwood by the Hertfordshire Bat Group and the Wildlife Trust over the past 18 months has shown that Easthall farm is hosting one of the largest maternity roosts of barbastelle bats. These are one of the most threatened species in the UK. They have been found across Hitchwood and shown to be feeding along the hedgerows and near water sources. We are also closely monitoring plant species and birds around the woods.
The future of wildlife requires a diversity of landscapes and the need to ensure that specific different habitats are maintained. The new woodland plan for Easthall Farm focusses on the creation of a mosaic of different habitats and new planting to creating corridors for wildlife between existing ancient woodland and areas of rich biodiversity. The existing landscape mosaic will be maintained and enhanced with selective thinning to open up areas for new regeneration and ensuring the ancient tradition of coppicing continues. The sales of timber from this will cover some of the costs of the conservation as well as be the start of the timber’s next life in a building or furniture.
Managing this is difficult as what is good for one type of wildlife may be not so good for another. It is all about balance and having the best advice. Our plans show there has been large drop in natural regeneration and younger trees. This due to the lack of gaps to let light in to the ground, and deer grazing. Numbers of deer in the region have reached such high levels and deer grazing is impeding the regeneration with young trees. Careful deer culling, following the best examples, is needed to keep deer numbers at sustainable levels and to ensure the woodlands of the future will not be suffering.
The second role for our woodlands is focused on those who love being in the countryside. Half the population report walking for recreation once a week and there are others enjoying nature such as the 8% cycling for leisure and the 600,000 involved in field sports/shooting. Woodland is also a site for the Forest School activities that we have sadly had to stop during the pandemic. Over the years, Easthall farm has been working with local communities and our local council to put in place additional paths. These are located where people are wanting circular walks from their homes and around Hitchwood. The new planting of woodland is also alongside footpaths, often with the help of school children and other community members. These will be the place for enjoyment in the future.
For the third role of woodland, we look to the future. When planting a tree of managing existing woodland, our horizons are long term. Those benefiting may not be born yet or only just starting to enjoy the trees growing around them as they grow up. The benefits of tackling climate change with carbon sequestration by trees will come for these future generations (although already we are experiencing the effects today). Planting trees is one of the longest investments and so any plan has to consider the question: what will future generations think of today’s generation. Will we be seen as good ancestors?. It is not just about new planting, but also about enhancing the existing woodlands so they can provide all the ecosystem services for the next 200 years. The careful thinning of trees will allow regeneration and a diverse range of habitats. This will include trees that may become the veteran trees in future centuries.
There is a danger that the pressures of today make us prioritise the immediate human needs of today. By communities and wildlife organisations coming together with farms and estates, we can discuss the different uses of woodlands and find ways of having a balance for both now and for the future.