A review completed as part of the Bretton Woods 20 Year Woodland Management Plan (created in 2013) has confirmed the further spread of Ash Dieback (the plan can be viewed below). This is a particular concern as Ash trees make up the majority of all three woods.
Peterborough City Council is proposing that it continues with the management plan, by removing diseased trees and a small area around them to create a clearing (coupes) which will then be replanted with a wider range of native broadleaved trees. In addition, category three or four trees that present a health and safety concern will be removed. This will be completed in autumn 2025.
People who want to have their say should complete the survey by 5pm on Monday 2 December 2024.
Comments from residents will be considered and included, where possible prior to the implementation of the next phase of the plan. In addition, the City council will be required to submit a Felling License application to the Forestry Commission prior to works commencing, complying with the Council’s legal duties but also allowing external expert scrutiny of its proposals.
“Action needs to be taken as it is likely that the woods will become too dangerous for public access. Alternatives approaches to those specified within the plan would potentially have a significant landscape impact or significantly restrict public access to the site alongside causing a marked deterioration of wildlife habitats within the woods.”
The city council, in partnership with the Wildlife Trust, have been monitoring the impact of the works undertaken in the woodlands to date. These ecological surveys have shown no marked negative ecological impact of the works undertaken so far, thus reaffirming the suitability of the approach taken.
Bretton Woods- what does it consist of?
Grimeshaw Wood 16.3 hectares
Pocock’s Wood 5.0 hectares
Highlees Spinney 2.0 hectares
Total 23.3 hectares
Key Threats to the Woodland
- Most of the ash stools have extensive decay at the base due to one or more stems being removed in the past.
- The wood decay Fungus Inonotus hispidus occurs on a high proportion of the trees which weakens the stem and branches and can cause stem failure.
- The fungal disease ash dieback Hymenoscyphus fraxinea has spread through the woodland
Plan and its review
- The Plan was first drafted in 2013 and made provision for 5 yearly reviews
- The reviews were intended to detail the progress made during this period and to also highlight problems that have arisen.
- The reviews sets out a new management strategy aimed at making the woodlands as resilient as possible by removing failing ash in small areas spread across the woods and replanting with a wider range of native broadleaved trees.
- The plan is designed to limit the landscape impact of Ash Dieback disease.
- The previous review (2018) set out a programme of cutting small 0.031 ha coupes centred on ash in poor condition; 48 were completed and planted in 2018 with a further 45 programmed to be cut in 2024 (this work has yet to be completed).
Findings
What did the review find
- 48 coupes cut in 2019 and replanted have been successful.
- Almost all of the standard trees protected by 1.8 mesh guards are in place and making good growth
- Other planting included trees in tree shelters, which have generally been successful but need some replacements and maintenance.
- Vandalism has not been a problem and the dense regrowth within the coupes has tended to keep people out of these areas.
- The plantings generally have not been affected by deer browsing.
- Wildlife Trust monitoring also confirms that the coppice coupes have largely been successful.
What the review recommends
Key Actions
- The Council Ash Dieback Strategy to remove any class 3 or 4 trees that present a risk.
- In the first year of the next five-year period class 3 and 4 trees within falling distance of the main paths or boundaries will be removed.
- Proceed with further coppice coupe creations, however the number of coupes will now increase to 51 and are scheduled for late summer 2025.
- Undertake replacement planting.
How many trees implicated
Key Actions
Grimeshaw -Class 3 = 74 and Class 4 = 40
Highlees – Class 3 = 13 and Class 4 = 5
Pocock’s (trees near figure of 8 footpath only) – Class 3 = 40 and Class 4 =35
Total class 3 = 127
Total Class 4 = 80
Next Steps
Key date: Monday, 2 December 2024 (5pm) – Closing deadline of Have Your Say event. Please complete the Bretton Woods Management Plan Review
