Oxfordshire Woodland Group

Part of good woodland management practice is the pruning of lower side branches of trees growing in timber lots and especially in coniferous blocks. As conifers grow the lower branches become light suppressed and very quickly die off. If these are not removed then this will result in a devaluing of the prime butt log by inclusion of dead knots within the timber. Lower branches do not tend to be very large and so most times can just be left on the ground where they fall to be trampled upon over the years encouraging them to rot down.

Later on when trees are felled and side snag branches are removed these can form a relatively dangerous covering over the forest floor where slips and trips will become much more likely.

Ideally these types of branches should progressively be moved into windrow piles to make negotiation through the woodland on foot easier and safer.

It can be good idea to makes some larger piles where wildlife can seek refuge and shelter. Little birds, mice, hedgehogs, frogs and invertibrates like to inhabit these piles where wind speed and the effects of rainfall are greatly reduced and some degree of protection from predators can be obtained.

Ideally piles should be located out towards natural woodland or block boundaries where some warmth can be obtain from sidelight sunshine and where practical these could be formed into dead hedges which will achieve the same effect as piles and will probably be much better for wildlife.

Ken Hume