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Our ancient woodland cannot be replaced warns Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust expert




Ancient woodlands, those that were first recorded in 1600 or earlier, are the most biodiverse and valuable part of our landscape, writes Erin McDaid from Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust.

Each ancient woodland is unique, having been shaped by local soils and climate.

Over millennia complex and almost magical habitats have evolved which, once lost, simply cannot be recreated.

Bluebells at Bunny Wood. Photo: Steve McCain (55198163)
Bluebells at Bunny Wood. Photo: Steve McCain (55198163)

Our ancient woodlands provide safe havens for a wonderful range of wildlife. They act like living arks from which wild plants and animals can one day spread out into the wider countryside.

They also help to limit the impact of climate change; soaking up heavy rainfall to reduce the risks from flooding and by locking away huge amounts of carbon.

Stitchwork bluebell clearing at Bunny Wood. Photo: Chris Terrell-Nield (55198165)
Stitchwork bluebell clearing at Bunny Wood. Photo: Chris Terrell-Nield (55198165)

Just as importantly, in many respects, they provide places of reflection and respite for people in our challenging and hectic world.

While wonderful places filled with wildlife, our ancient woodlands are no longer truly wild. They have, pretty much without exception, been managed for hundreds, if not thousands, of years to produce everything from timber for building ships and houses to posts for fencing and material for charcoal fuel.

Timber from our Ploughman Wood, between Lowdham and Lambley, even supplied materials for producing bobbins for Nottingham’s lace-making industry.

An aerial view of Treswell Wood, near Retford. Photo: Quinton Quayle (55198161)
An aerial view of Treswell Wood, near Retford. Photo: Quinton Quayle (55198161)

Small sections would be repeatedly cut (or coppiced) over a cycle of seven to 20 years to produce the different materials, without killing the tree.

For a few years after coppicing, open areas of the woodland floor are rich in flowers. As trees regrow, these areas become crowded with shade-tolerant species like brambles unless the management cycle starts over.

Treswell Wood. Photo: Hattie Lavender (55198172)
Treswell Wood. Photo: Hattie Lavender (55198172)

Traditional coppice management ensures some clearings remain in the woodland for wildflowers, such as the iconic bluebell, and insects like butterflies to flourish.

The lush regrowth also protects ground-nesting birds, while any dead and decaying timber feeds fungi and acts as a natural larder for bats, invertebrates, woodpeckers and dormice.

As modern materials replaced traditional timber, the ancient craft of coppice management declined and in many areas stopped altogether.

Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust. (2682719)
Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust. (2682719)

Our woods became more and more shaded; many species began to die out and those that could began to relocate.

Countless woods have also been ploughed, over-planted with single species forestry or even been built over.

The ancient woodlands of our ancestors dwindled to from covering around 15% of our landscape in 1086 to a mere 3% today.

Once our original ancient woodlands are gone, there is no bringing them back.

Over the past 50 years, Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust has been saving and caring for some of our county’s finest. As we face up to the nature and climate crisis, and tackle threats such as pollution, pests and disease; our challenge is to take action to protect, restore and reconnect those that remain — to do our bit as caretakers of this natural heritage and ensure future generations can enjoy our precious ancient woodlands too.

To find out more about ancient woodlands in our care and how you can help us do more to restore them, visit nottinghamshirewildlife.org



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