Sponsored by Landscape Therapy -
IN THE NEXT
ISSUE...
COUNTRYSIDE
Badgers, love them or
hate them?
Planting programme
underway...
Winter is the busiest time when carrying
out woodland work; coppicing hazel,
felling large standard trees and planting
trees and shrubs to create new woods and
habitats.
Landscape Therapy are carrying out all of
these operations in Briddlesford Copse. A
230 acre native woodland, owned by the
‘People’s Trust for Endangered Species’. It
includes ancient woodland, meadows and
miles of hedgerows that help create a
wonderful habitat for wildlife. It is one of
the most important sites for woodland
mammals in the UK; dormice, red squirrels
and rare woodland bats all living and
breeding here.
As part of their studies, students from the
Isle of Wight College spent the day
working with Landscape Therapy learning
how important woodland management
was to preserving the habitats that
woodlands have to offer.
They planted trees and shrubs, grown
from seeds and nuts collected from the
copse. Protected them with guards and
then mulched with woodchip that they
produced from the coppiced hazel and
felling of larger trees. This will aid growth
through suppressing weeds and retaining
moisture in the spring and summer.
The process of coppicing and felling of
trees can sometimes upset people if they
do not know or understand what is
happening. This is a way of managing
woodland that has been carried out in our
country for over 5000 years, resulting in
the massive biodiversity that our woods
have to offer. After coppicing takes place
the woodland floor will come alive with
flowers that may have been lying dormant
for many years.
Paul Coleman (technician) overseeing timber
extraction by the students.
Simon Cribb using woodchip to mulch a
newly planted tree.
Research is constantly being carried out in
Briddlesford Copse so access is generally
limited to public footpaths. However
greater access can be enjoyed through
Hurst Copse found near Wootton and still
part of the Peoples Trust estate.
Stevie Boudewijin chipping brash
in the copse.
The Conservation Skills Team
and full time students from the
IW College.
Island Life - www.islandlifemagazine.net
‘Assistant Lectricuar’ John
Hobart showing Anthony Biggs
one of the hazel plants before
planting.
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