| On Topic
The real value of our trees and woodlands
John Lockhart , Chairman of environmental planning and forestry consultancy www . lockhart-garratt . co . uk explains why the support of celebrities such as Dame Judi Dench is so crucial to the survival of British woodland .
Beech Avenue at Harlestone Firs , nr Northampton - Photo Credit , John Lockhart
Author : John Lockhart is Chairman of Lockhart Garratt environmental planning and forestry consultancy ( www . lockhart-garratt . co . uk ).
John specialises in a range of areas including strategic woodland management , environmental planning and development and green infrastructure .
John can be contacted on 01536 408840 or by emailing john . lockhart @ lgluk . com
10 | Farming Monthly | February 2018
T he British woodland is in need of careful management and protection now more than ever and so it was encouraging to see the issue given prominence in the by the BBC when they broadcast the programme My Passion for Trees , featuring respected actress Dame Judi Dench .
In the programme , Dame Judi spoke movingly of her long fascination with trees and how she has established and nurtured her own woodland which has a very personal meaning for her . As someone who has lived and worked in woods and around trees for many years , this awarenessraising celebrity endorsement can only be good for our woodland environment . The value of woodlands
Woodland is now broadly recognised as having a valuable impact across the widest range of ecosystem services , including flood prevention and alleviation , air quality , water quality , health and wellbeing , carbon sequestration , landscape , biodiversity , local climate regulation and public access to nature . As such , Natural Capital 1 and Ecosystem services remain at the heart of government thinking and form a key element of the proposed 25 year plan for the Natural Environment 2 . However , these values are routinely understated .
The 25 year plan notes that England ’ s woods and forests deliver services to the value of £ 2.3bn with less than 10 % of this relating to their timber value . This should make us look differently at the resource , which in many cases is at the back of many landowners ’ minds . Woodlands have not been viewed as an integral part of the commercial operation of rural property in the past and this needs to change . In almost all cases , well planned and implemented woodland management is paramount to ensure that our trees and woodlands are maintained for the future , and continue to deliver all of the critical benefits key to our health and well-being . Why woodland management is so important
One of the things often forgotten is that trees and woodlands are living organisms , and as such they need to be managed and renewed to maintain their vigour and health . Our forefathers knew this only too well as they relied on their woodlands for fuel , shelter , building materials and food . Woodlands were managed in balance with their requirements to produce these services ; many of our most valuable ancient woodlands today owe their health and condition to sustained and positive management .
Wood is something that we come into contact with every day . It is undoubtedly our most tactile , warm and versatile building material , as well as having the additional benefit of locking up carbon both as a building material in use , but also through the growing cycle . A new native woodland can capture up to 300- 400 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per hectare ( tCO2e / ha ) by year 50 , and 400-500 tCO2e / ha by year 100 . The role that woodland plays in land management
One of the main challenges is that woodland management is
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