FEATURE 3: SEMI-NATURAL WOODLAND
Objective 3: to maintain the semi-natural woodland in favourable condition..
Rationale
Although the past management of Norbury Parks woodland is not well documented sufficient is known to confirm that all the woodlands were intensively managed when the site was a private estate. Subsequently Surrey County Council has managed certain areas by introducing broadleaved and coniferous plantations. In other areas natural regeneration has been allowed to become established with the effect of enclosing the tree canopy. This has resulted in a reduction of the diversity of ground flora. With the status of cSAC and SSSI the importance of yew trees and box scrub has been emphasised and projects related to these two species have been implemented. The woodlands are managed not only in order to achieve the stated conservation objectives but also to generate income from woodland products. If left unmanaged the present structure will result in an overlarge proportion of even age over mature trees and consequently the canopy may become too open. Therefore silvicultural management of the woodlands will be beneficial in achieving a more diverse structure and age range. A variety of techniques will be employed including thinning, felling, planting, retaining dead wood and coppicing.
Management options:
A3 Active Management
Management factors:
The woodland is being managed to control the following five factors:
Closing canopy due to growth of old coppice and standards which is limiting light intensity in the lower herb and shrub layers.
Areas of open canopy due to past felling are limiting the size of coherence of the woodland habitat.
Scrub growth in rides, paths and glades is limiting the habitat diversity of woodland.
Availability of dead wood is lijmiting woodland diversity.
Information is needed to extend the species inventory.
Monitoring projects to asseess the effectiveness of management
Mangement prescriptions:
1 Manage coppice to increase light intensity and species diversity
MH00
01
Manage woodland / scrub by coppicing
CONSERVATION COPPICING
MH00
02
Manage woodland / scrub by coppicing
CONSERVATION COPPICING: HAZEL (THE HAZELS)
MH00
03
Manage woodland / scrub by coppicing
COPPICE CHESTNUT
MH02
01
Manage woodland / scrub by thinning / group felling
THINNING/FELLING OPERATIONS
MH02
03
Manage woodland / scrub by thinning / group felling
FELLING OPERATIONS: COMPARTMENT 13B
MH02
05
Manage woodland / scrub by thinning / group felling
THINNING OPERATIONS: COMPARTMENTS 10A, 12C & D, 16D
MH02
06
Manage woodland / scrub by thinning / group felling
THINNING OPERATIONS: 6A
MH02
07
Manage woodland / scrub by thinning / group felling
THINNING OPERATIONS: COMPARTMENTS 9A & B, 12A, 15F, 16A & C, 23A
MH02
08
Manage woodland / scrub by thinning / group felling
THINNING OPERATIONS: 16E, 19B
MH02
09
Manage woodland / scrub by thinning / group felling
THINNING OPERATIONS: 18A
MH02
10
Manage woodland / scrub by thinning / group felling
THINNING OPERATIONS: 18B
MH02
11
Manage woodland / scrub by thinning / group felling
THINNING OPERATIONS: 21B
MH02
12
Manage woodland / scrub by thinning / group felling
THINNING OPERATIONS: 24D
MH02
13
Manage woodland / scrub by thinning / group felling
THINNING OPERATIONS: 24G
MH02
14
Manage woodland / scrub by thinning / group felling
FELLING OPERATIONS: 7B
MH02
15
Manage woodland / scrub by thinning / group felling
FELLING OPERATIONS: COMPARTMENTS 15E AND 25
MH02
16
Manage woodland / scrub by thinning / group felling
FELLING OPERATIONS: COMPARTMENTS 16C & 23A
MH02
17
Manage woodland / scrub by thinning / group felling
FELLING OPERATIONS: COMPARTMENT 21B
MH02
18
Manage woodland / scrub by thinning / group felling
FELLING OPERATIONS: COMPARTMENTS 23C & D
MH02
19
Manage woodland / scrub by thinning / group felling
FELLING OPERATIONS: COMPARTMENT 24C & D
MH02
25
Manage woodland / scrub by thinning / group felling
THINNING OPERATION: THE BIRCHES 20B
MH02
26
Manage woodland / scrub by thinning / group felling
FELLING OPERATION: 23B
MH02
28
Manage woodland / scrub by thinning / group felling
THINNING OPERATIONS IN 17
2 Reduce light intensity and increase tree density by tree planting
MH01
03
Manage woodland / scrub by planting / sowing
PLANT APPROPRIATE SPECIES: BLACKBERRY WOOD
MH01
04
Manage woodland / scrub by planting / sowing
PLANTING AS REQUIRED: NORBURY PARK FARM
MH01
05
Manage woodland / scrub by planting / sowing
PLANTING APPROPRIATE SPECIES:WALNUT TREE CLUMP
MH01
06
Manage woodland / scrub by planting / sowing
PLANT APPROPRIATE SPECIES:UPDOWN WOOD
MH01
07
Manage woodland / scrub by planting / sowing
PLANT AND MAINTAIN APPROPRIATE SPECIES: KEEPERS COPSE
MH01
08
Manage woodland / scrub by planting / sowing
PLANTING AS REQUIRED: SWANWORTH FARM
3 Maintain areas of minimal intervention by thinning/group felling
MH02
02
Manage woodland / scrub by thinning / group felling
THINNING WOODLAND EDGE: COMPARTMENTS 2, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 7B, 9A & B
MH02
20
Manage woodland / scrub by thinning / group felling
THINNING WOODLAND EDGE: COMPARTMENTS 3 & 5
MH02
21
Manage woodland / scrub by thinning / group felling
THINNING WOODLAND EDGE: COMPARTMENTS 7B & 8A
4 Reduce scrub growth in rides, paths and glades to increase habitat diversity
MH04
01
Manage woodland / scrub by ride / path / glade maintenance
MAINTAIN EXISTING RIDES AND GLADES
5 Increase availability of dead wood as a habitat resource
MH08
01
Manage woodland / scrub by managing dead wood
MANAGE DEAD WOOD
6 Collect information on woodland species for more effective management.
RF02
01
Collect information on vegetation, survey
NVC SURVEY
RF13
05
Collect information on trees / shrubs, monitor
MAP EXTENT OF WOODLANDS
RF13
06
Collect information on trees / shrubs, monitor
TREE CANOPY COVER
Woodland attributes as the basis of monitoring