Managing your private woodland effectively is essential for preserving biodiversity and ensuring a healthy ecosystem. Whether you own a small or large woodland in Surrey, the Southwest or London, careful planning and ecological management can help restore and maintain these vital natural spaces.
At Wild by Design, our highly skilled ecology team specializes in creating, developing, and regenerating a variety of habitats. Our private conservation services are designed for landowners who are passionate about the environment and want to manage their woodland in an ecologically sympathetic way.
Woodland Management: A Tailored Approach
If you own woodland and want to manage it responsibly, Wild by Design will create and implement a customized management plan to support native species and control invasive plants. Each plan is carefully tailored to your local environment and the specific flora and fauna species you wish to support.
Why Woodland Management Matters
Much of the native woodland in the UK, including areas across Surrey and the Southwest, faces challenges such as invasive species, habitat degradation, and loss of biodiversity. Proactive woodland management can:
- Enhance native biodiversity by controlling non-native species.
- Improve tree health and woodland longevity.
- Create diverse habitats that support local wildlife.
- Increase the aesthetic and recreational value of the land.
- Promote sustainable forestry practices and carbon sequestration.
Key Woodland Management Services
- Invasive Species Removal
One of the biggest threats to native woodlands is the spread of invasive species such as Rhododendron, Cherry Laurel, Holly, Cotoneaster, and Himalayan Balsam. These species outcompete native plants, reducing biodiversity and hindering woodland regeneration. Our team implements tailored removal strategies, including:
- Manual clearance: Carefully uprooting smaller invasives to prevent regrowth.
- Chemical treatments: Using targeted, environmentally sensitive herbicides where necessary.
- Long-term monitoring: Ensuring invasive species do not return and disrupt the woodland balance.
- Sapling Tree Planting
Replanting native trees helps to regenerate woodlands and create a sustainable future for wildlife. We carefully select native species suited to your land’s specific conditions, ensuring optimal growth and ecosystem benefits. Tree planting can:
- Increase canopy cover and reduce soil erosion.
- Provide food and shelter for birds, insects, and mammals.
- Support climate resilience by capturing carbon dioxide.
- Thinning & Selective Felling
Overcrowded woodlands can hinder tree growth and reduce overall forest health. Thinning involves the selective removal of weaker or competing trees to allow stronger specimens to flourish. Benefits include:
- Enhanced sunlight penetration, encouraging undergrowth regeneration.
- Reduced risk of disease and pest infestations.
- Improved habitat structure for woodland species.
- Hedge Laying
Traditional hedge laying is a key conservation practice that strengthens boundaries, provides wildlife corridors, and enhances woodland edge habitats. It helps:
- Encourage nesting birds and small mammals.
- Improve biodiversity by creating shelter and food sources.
- Strengthen natural barriers against soil erosion and wind damage.
- Deer Management & Fencing
Uncontrolled deer populations can overgraze young saplings and ground vegetation, hindering woodland regeneration. We provide ethical deer management solutions, including:
- Deer fencing to protect young trees and newly planted areas.
- Population assessments to determine sustainable deer numbers.
- Habitat adjustments to reduce deer pressure on sensitive woodland areas.
- Dry Stone Walling & Habitat Creation
Dry stone walls are an important traditional landscape feature, offering both practical and ecological benefits. They:
- Act as natural boundaries while providing shelter for small mammals, reptiles, and invertebrates.
- Enhance the aesthetic appeal of woodland landscapes.
- Support microhabitats crucial for biodiversity conservation.
Get Started with Wild by Design
If you own woodland in Surrey, the South West, or London and want to manage it in a way that promotes biodiversity and ecological health, our expert team at Wild by Design is here to help. Whether your woodland spans 2 acres or 20, we can create a tailored management plan that suits your specific needs.
Contact us today to discuss how we can help you enhance and protect your woodland for generations to come.
