Plans & Progress

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Current thinning and felling works

Forestry works started on Monday 16 January with felling due to be complete by the end of February 2012. Clearfelling followed by restocking and woodland thinning are also planned. See the map for further information.

The orange areas are where conifers will be clearfelled and replanted with native broadleaves.
The yellow area is conifer clearfell followed by conifer restocking. Conifers are reaching maturity in this area; to prevent the need for large scale clearfelling in any given year, we need to start clearfelling and restocking now. Conifer is being replanted in this area because we need to retain a ‘core’ area of conifer to provide an income stream to allow us to manage the woods for people and wildlife.
The dark green area is mixed woodland with the intention being to thin out conifers and retain the broadleaves.
The light green area is native broadleaf, which require a light thin (5%) to allow more light to the woodland floor.

Extraction of timber will be via Sandy Lane (and Woodhead Road if necessary). To minimise inconvenience to site users, extraction routes will avoid the most heavily used footpaths and tracks where possible. Footpaths and tracks will be fully reinstated following extraction.

Sustainable management: At first sight, heavy machines and muddy tracks in the woods may be a cause for concern. However, the 'long reach' machines in use can fell and remove trees with reduced vehicle access and minimum dragging of the logs across the woodland floor. A comprehensive plan is in place to protect sensitive wildlife areas, deal with brashings and to ensure reinstatement of trails and paths. With these measures in place we can expect that the areas affected will soon recover, as soon as Spring brings new plant growth encouraged by the extra light.

Tree thinning is a vital part of sustainable woodland management because it enables more light to reach the woodland floor, thus encouraging wildlife.

The timber from these works will be stacked in the newly created compound area next to Woodhead Road before being sold on to provide woodchip for bio-fuel.

Long term plans: Our long-term plans and aspirations are to ensure the biodiversity, forestry and recreational needs of the site are balanced and to keep Greno Woods as a site of regional importance for all these things. Through sustainable management, we plan to improve biodiversity, manage forestry operations sustainably, develop and promote the site for walking, biking, horse-riding, wildlife watching, jogging, dog-walking - and education (outdoor classroom, forest schools, training courses etc.).