Woodland management at Wernbrake
A large amount of thinning and coppicing is needed to enable the wood to be productive and income generating, and to increase its biodiversity. A management plan was prepared, and Forestry Commission Wales provided a small grant for this work. We continue to coppice on a cyclical basis.
The previous owner planted a few ornamental trees and since we took ownership some fruit trees have been planted to make a small orchard and we have planted a mixed indigenous hedge along the front. The woodland slopes to the south, is on relatively acid soil, and has one major clearing. Here we are working to clear bracken and brambles and to encourage wildflowers. A track and a path lead to the clearing, and we have begun developing paths giving access to other areas. The grant has enabled us to re-fence much of the boundary, and provide a gate to existing public paths which adjoin the woodland.