Oxfordshire Woodland Group

An article by Dr. J Jackson - recent past CEO of The Royal Forestry Society - published in the RFS Journal (Dec 2013) discusses the philosophic approach taken by various organisations, groups and individuals to the restoration of native deciduous tree cover onto sites that are previously thought or known to have been ancient woodland sites i.e. under continuous tree cover since the early 1600's.

Dr. Jackson's approach is enlightened in that he appears to recognise that a holistic approach to PAWS restoration should be considered by each woodland owner based on site specific conditions and circumstances together with longer term management objectives rather than simply pusuing an "ethnic cleansing" policy.

As mentioned elsewhere on this forum the conifer is not necessarily a demon tree that should be felled without further thought but instead it might well provide a backbone to help former deciduous woodlands survive the onslaught of climate change and emerging pests & diseases whilst providing the opportunity for wood fuel and timber production.

Chilterns