Woodland management is a very diverse discipline. People own woodlands for many reasons and expect very varied benefits from them. The skill of a woodland manager is to define the objectives of the owner and draw up a strategy that will achieve the objectives and provide the desired benefits whilst maintaining a healthy and sustainable woodland.

We believe we can do that.

The tools with which we do this can be broadly defined in the following categories:

• In any plan, the first stage is always the identification of objectives and priorities of the owner (eg timber production, long term investment, sporting, conservation etc.) Before a management plan can be drawn up a survey must be carried out. This process can be simplified by the use of existing information. The amount of data and detail required will depend on the management priorities identified.
• A plan must include prescriptions for short-term activities as well as long term directives. A level of costing should be included to allow financial control of the business.
• Some operations attract grant aid. We can identify sources of funding and make grant applications on behalf of our clients. The grants on offer change from time to time, and we ensure that we are constantly up-to-date with new developments.
• A management plan will typically run for between 10 and 20 years, but we will tailor plans to suit our clients requirements.
• We are able to plant your woodland, maintain it through the establishment phase, thin it as it matures and clearfell it if that is the planned system. We have regular teams of contractors that work for us all the time, we ensure they are trained and experienced and we supervise all operations.
• Continuous cover (using largely natural regeneration) is fast becoming a common management system in the UK, as part of a drive to increase the sustainability of the landscape and conservation of our countryside. We are able to plan for conversion from a single age class structure to continuous cover and manage the sometimes delicate process of conversion.