Septimber - Quote

Photo credit: Katie Tinker 

Just a thought to remind us all that in life and our world everything is of equal importance. In everyday life we can make the world a better place and that is what counts.

This brings Septimber to a close, there will be one final post later in October which has taken longer to prepare than expected. Stay tuned for this fun facts post.

Septimber – Woodland management

Many woodlands go undisturbed for centuries with so little human influence that you would not know anyone had been there at all. However, as humans realise the importance of woodlands and forestry so too do they see how important it is to manage and monitor them. It is of particular importance to manage a woodland as an individual and not assume that what works for one will work for all. For instance, there is little point in managing a woodland for dormice when they have never been found in the region before. Whilst if they were once present then the woodland could be managed to encourage their return.

There are many factors which must be considered when designing and implementing a management strategy. Its current use for one, is it used for recreation or has it been left abandoned? What are the plans for the future? Knowing this can change the type of plan drastically. For example, if the woodland is to be used commercially then the species and planting layout (i.e. in rows) are important. In a woodland to be used for conservation the tree species present are still significant whilst the structure of the understory and canopy is of equal consequence. Environmental issues such as flooding and drought must also be understood otherwise increasing or decreasing the woodland could do more harm than good. So, you see it is not a simple task to form a management plan that will actually work.

Septimber - Deadwood

Whilst this tree was still living when this photo was taken it is very old and its twin has already died.

Though it can be sad when a tree dies whether from old age, damage or from falling there is something good which comes from this loss. Deadwood both part of a living tree or laying on the ground has many uses for many species. Fungi, insects and birds all use deadwood, they grow on it, eat it or nest in it. Woodpeckers for example require deadwood which they hollow out for nesting, woodlice on the other hand consume deadwood¹. As well as being utilised by mobile species, as deadwood decays nutrients stored within it, such as Nitrogen (N), are broken down and returned to the soil for living plants to use again. So, you see whilst a tree dying is sad and does leave a hole in an ecosystem, particularly if an ancient tree, deadwood is also a major part of the woodland/forest environment and is relied on by many species.

1 Information for forest management with further information on species reliant on deadwood.

Septimber

All things trees, wood and forest. Find an appreciation for the importance and uses of trees and why we rely on them so much despite our transfer to plastic and steel where timber was traditional.