Surrey is the most wooded county in Great Britain, at 22.4% woodland cover equating to 37,564 hectares with the Surrey Hills AONB at 40% woodland cover, which is 16,270 hectares, amounting to very nearly half the total.
The current rapidly increasing demand for wood that is used for fuel has made of commercial interest much of the Ancient Semi Natural Woodland, often with yields of up to 150 tonnes per hectare on a 16 to 25 year sustainable rotation of coppiced timber species, not including hazel.
The environmental benefits of good Woodland Management... The Rio Summit of 1992 prompted the United KIngdom Biodiversity Action Plan and �Results from the England Biodiversity strategy show a worrying trend for the decline of wild flowers. The survey reports a fall of 34% of Ancient Semi Natural Woodland indicator species, between 1990 and 2007.
The Government and the Deer Society figures advise a yearly cull in the United Kingdom of 250,000 per 12 month period with 74,000 Road Traffic Accidents directly related to deer annually.
The character of English woodland has altered dramatically over the past 100 years. Traditional management, very often coppice with standards has largely died out and the woodland structure, which is so important for birds has changed.
Neglected coppice has developed a simple structure, and deer browsing which is possibly the biggest single issue for woodland management, is degrading both shrub and field layers.
'A guide to managing for declining woodland birds in England� explains woodland bird conservation in context. The need for sustainable management of the earth’s resources, including timber, is recognised by global treaties, especially the Rio Convention on Biological Diversity of 1992. Our government response was the creation of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan.
Rules and regulations have shown few positive results as the bird populations of the woodland fell by 15% between 1970 and 2002 with a decrease of 3% between 1998 and 2002.
The case for butterflies has gained greater public awareness, and secures higher European Economic Community funding via Forestry Commission grants.
Leader bid... Summer 2009 a Leader bid was won with a 40% grant towards investment in a log deck for the firewood business, a barn, and a telehandler with timber grapple. The telehandler facilitates lengths of cordwood to be handled safely and efficiently off the stacks for processing, and stack the bulk bags of cut and split logs for seasoning, in the barn, stacked three high, on pallets that are constructed in house and are extra large. These seasoned logs are available for delivery to the home of the purchaser.
Deer fencing... Temporary deer fencing is necessary for woodland regeneration. This is due to the destruction by deer on the freshly planted trees, if they are not kept under control. By implementing temporary fencing to keep deer at bay, ensures that the woodland gets a chance to regenerate.
The best timber for use in construction is the Quercus robur, which is an English oak found on the Weald. This timber is historically used for bridges, ships, and buildings.
The maintenance of our countryside is essential and a must, not just in Surrey, but all over the Great Britain. Without which we would see a loss of jobs in the rural areas, the loss of a much needed natural resource, and nowhere for the stressed out town folk to get some much needed rest and recuperation.
Author Resource:-
Charles Edwards, academic, sportsman, and entrepreneur. for more information about our woodlands and the production and distribution of seasoned logs be sure to click on the link within this bio.
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