Woodlands

We are very fortunate that our farm includes several areas of Semi Natural woodland, which greatly enhance the diversity of flora and fauna.

We have been able to research the history of the farm layout by studying a series of old maps held by Harrogate Library. In all the maps we have studied, the layout of our woodlands are exactly the same, from the military maps of the very early 1800’s through the various editions of the Ordnance Survey maps. From this evidence we can be sure that our woodlands can be classed as Ancient Semi-Natural Woodlands (ASNW). The generally accepted definition for ASNW is that the woodlands have been established since the 1600’s and that they are composed of natural species that have not obviously been planted. The early Ordnance Survey maps of the 1830’s are accepted as confirmation of this designation on the basis that woodlands recorded in 1830, would need to have been established in the 1600’s to have developed sufficiently a couple of hundred years later. An important feature of these woodlands is that the characteristic flora and fauna that develops over these centuries is retained and visible.

The remaining ASNW covers less than 2% of the UK and is totally irreplaceable. The area of ASNW has disappeared at an alarming rate over the last hundred century. The Woodland Trust records show that only 19% of Britains woodland is ancient in origin. The majority of these ancient woodlands are now small islands within a hostile landscape of intensive agriculture or urban sprawl. The records also show that a substantial number of these woods are less than 2 hectares (5 acres), which means that most areas of ancient woodlands have no core area that is unaffected by edge effects of surrounding land use. We are very fortunate that our woodlands which total 5 hectares are mostly situated within the boundaries of our farmland which has protected the integrity of the individual woodlands. Following discussions with the Forestry Commission we have planted new areas of native species trees which will act as corridor woodlands to join previously isolated areas of ancient woodlands. This will hopefully protect and enhance the diversity of flora and fauna.

One negative factor should ideally be corrected within our main area of woodland, although it would be a massive project. We know that immediately after the second world war Park House farm was owned for a couple of years by persons interested in harvesting many of the large trees. Within part of the main woodland they replaced the areas cut with Poplar trees, which are although native to Britain are not suitable within semi ancient woodlands. Over the last 60 years these poplars have grown such that they are now taller than the remainder of the woodland and increasingly form a crown which will over time restrict the growth of existing and natural re generation. We have surveyed the extent of the poplars recording 80 trees, which will entail a major clearance and replanting project. The work is encouraged by the Forestry Commission to enable the woodland to return to the exact condition preceding the Poplar planting.

Further info can be found at www.woodland-trust.org.uk