Woodland Management Programme

                 
Redditch Borough Council owns and manages over 168 hectares (415 acres) of woodlands. The majority of this area, approximately 116 hectares (289 acres), is designated Ancient and Semi-Natural Woodland and is divided between 5 major woods and several smaller spinneys.  The major woods in Redditch are:

• Pitcheroak – Bromsgrove Road
• Southcrest – Ashperton Close
• Wirehill – Nine Days Lane
• Oakenshaw – Rear of Tesco
• Foxlydiate – Brockhill Drive

The remaining 51 hectares (126 acres) consists of younger plantations of mixed conifer and broadleaved tree species, established as landscape/amenity and noise pollution belts, often separating major roads, housing and industrial area throughout the Borough of Redditch. 

The woodlands are a highly valued part of the landscape of the Borough of Redditch, providing the backdrop for much of the wider developments of the town historically and a well used amenity by residents in the town.

There are 30 woodland and plantations sites currently included within the management programme.  The management objectives for each of the woodlands and plantations vary, being led by the needs of local residents, conservation best practice and ideal silvicultural management systems to deliver these. 

Why do we need to manage woodlands and plantations?

These Woodlands need to be managed for several reasons:

• to ensure their sustainability
• to encourage wildlife
• for the future survival of the trees
• achieve a variation in tree age
• to encourage the establishment of the three major vegetative layers within woodlands of ground flora, shrub and over canopy creating wider habitat and biodiversity. 

Good woodland management requires trees to be felled, which may not make sense to many people, however, an overcrowded wood limits light to the ground below, preventing new trees from regenerating naturally and stops the growth of woodland flowers and herbs.  With each tree affecting one another, this reduces the quality of trees in the Woodland. The majority of trees in Redditch were planted at the same time, meaning they will die at the same time ultimately leaving us with no trees to enjoy. 

At what time of the year will work be carried out?

Work will be carried out from September to end of March to minimise any potential disturbance to the habitat in the major growth months and wild life during their breeding period.

The project started in 1995 and clear results and benefits have already been noticed in relation to the aims above in areas having received management over the period since that date to the present day.

Dense areas of Woodland have been thinned and paths and walkways have been formed to improve access into the woods.

How much does this programme cost?

The programme is self funding, in part by the timber extracted being sold to make pulp for manufacturing cardboard, mining timbers, fencing, furniture and construction. Other funding is received from the Forestry Commission in form of grants given to encourage and support land / woodland owners to carryout this important management work. 

The frequency of work and volume of timber to be extracted is assessed with the assistance of a Forestry Consultant in line with Silvicutural Management Systems Best Practice and local issues very much with the conservation and improvement of the woodland or plantation being the controlling factor not revenues likely to be made.

For more information on the Woodland Management Programme, please call the Landscape Team on 01527 64252.