Ever wondered how Church Wood got there? The answer is PAWS — nothing to do with the many dog walkers who enjoy the wood, but an acronym for “Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites”, stemming from when the original native trees were felled by the Forestry Commission and replaced with non-native conifers.
After Church Wood was bought from the Forestry Commission by the Parish Council in 1985, the Church Wood Management Committee was set up with the aim of returning the wood to its native broadleaf state.
A plan was drawn up for the non-native species to be thinned out, allowing space for the remaining ones to grow. The felled conifers would be replaced with native broadleaves. This is why every few years a section of the wood is cleared ready to be replanted and at the same time other sections are thinned to prevent overcrowding.
The process was due to be completed by 2020 but, mainly due to the timing of government grant schemes, this date has slipped. The conifers are now beyond their prime, and disease and old age mean some are lost each time there is a storm.
Every year a safety survey is carried out to identify trees that are potentially dangerous and in need of attention, or in extreme cases felling. These trees are marked to allow the contractor to identify them. Recently some of these marks have been obliterated, a dangerous practice that could lead to injury to the public or damage to vehicles.
One of the oldest forms of woodland management that is also best for wildlife is coppicing. This is where, with the exception of a few oak and beech trees, the rest are cut down close to the ground, leaving the stumps to regrow. This prolongs the life of the remaining trees and promotes biodiversity. It is how the wood was managed for hundreds of years before the Forestry Commission took over.
Members of the Management Committee love trees, which is why they volunteer to look after the wood for everyone’s enjoyment. They don’t cut down trees without good reason. The group meets in the Church car park at 9 am on most Tuesdays. If you enjoy the wood and would like to take part in some practical conservation work, why not come along to a work party? You will be most welcome.