Woodland Management

Smaller woodlands have the potential to be mighty marvels, as a biodiverse patchwork quilt across the Yorkshire Dales and beyond.

But our woodlands are under threat. Many are fragmented, have suffered from ash dieback and show few signs of natural regeneration. The loss of the few small pockets of ancient semi natural woodland that exist across the Yorkshire Dales could result in a whole array of associated flora and fauna being lost for generations.

Our woodlands need to be well-managed and protected to ensure they are healthly and resilient - bringing maximum benefits for people, nature and the wider environment.

Helping our woodlands thrive   

YDMT's Woodland Management programme helps to enhance the patchwork mosaic of woodlands across the Yorkshire Dales National Park, Nidderdale, and beyond, into parts of Cumbria and the Forest of Bowland. 

The programme launched in 2023 when there was little provision for smaller woodlands of less than 3 hectares. It supports landowners and communities to access woodland management services they would otherwise have to seek expensive specialist contractors for. 

It's hoped that 50 small woodlands will be brought into active management over the next three years through the scheme. This will be done by providing woodland management plans and funding for management tasks such as thinning, underplanting and repairing boundaries. YDMT can also help provide labour, in the form of volunteers, project officers and trainees.

Boosting biodiversity

A key part of the Woodland Management programme will be carrying out woodland condition surveys, as well as monitoring the biodiversity of woodland sites.

We will revisit newly created woodlands to improve management and boost biodiversity through activities such as under planting, coppicing and removal of plastic tree guards. New ways of improving woodlands will also be trialled, like deer exclusion zones, ‘dead hedges', and promoting regeneration with screefing and introducing plug plants and soil to develop the ground flora.

Plastic Free Woodlands 

It is estimated that 30,000 plastic tree shelters - used to protect saplings when they are first planted - will be removed and recycled as part of the scheme. 

YDMT continues to play a leading role in the reduction of the use of single use plastic in the forestry sector - as a founding member of the Forest Plastics Working Group. Find out more about Plastic Free Woodlands  

 

Learn more about our woodland work 

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