Our services
Woodland Management
Expert surveys, measurements and plans to help your woodland thrive.
Caring for existing woodland
Helping you look after your woodland
Whether you have an established wood or a young plantation, good management keeps it healthy, rich in wildlife and productive. Our woodland team can assess its condition, measure your trees and write a management plan to guide the work ahead.
Woodland Condition Assessments
A Woodland Condition Assessment is a structured survey of your woodland’s ecological health, following the Forestry Commission’s method. It looks at 15 indicators, such as the mix of tree ages and species, natural regeneration, deadwood and veteran trees, open space, invasive species, signs of tree disease and damage from deer or grazing.
Each indicator is scored and the totals give your woodland an overall rating of good, moderate or poor ecological condition. The assessment shows what is already working well, where improvements would make the biggest difference, and any threats to act on early.
It also gives you a baseline for a woodland management plan, and is needed for some Forestry Commission and Countryside Stewardship grants, which may help cover the cost.
Woodland mensuration
Mensuration means measuring trees and woodland. We use standard Forestry Commission methods to collect the information you need to make good decisions about your trees, including:
- tree diameters and heights
- the number of trees per hectare (stocking density)
- basal area and estimated timber volumes
- growth and how a stand is developing over time
These figures help with planning thinning and felling, valuing timber, tracking how young woodland is establishing, and supporting grant and felling licence applications.
Woodland management plans
A woodland management plan sets out what you want from your woodland and how you will get there, usually over 10 years. We will walk the wood with you, talk through your aims, and write a plan that meets the UK Forestry Standard.
Plans can include:
- a description of the woodland and its features
- your long-term objectives, such as wildlife, timber, recreation or shelter
- a programme of work, such as thinning, restocking, invasive species control and deer management
- how you will protect sensitive habitats and features
We can use the Forestry Commission’s plan template, so your plan can be submitted for approval and used to support grant and felling licence applications.
Fees
Woodland management services are charged for. The cost depends on the size of your woodland and the work needed, so get in touch for a free, no-obligation quote.