Sustainable Woodlands – Woodlands and the Environment

Sweet Chestnut is originally native to Southern Europe, Western Asia and North Africa, and was introduced into England during the Roman times. It is now most commonly found across England, mainly in the South East – where large woodlands are grown commercially and coppiced to produce timber for various uses.

Not only is sweet chestnut a source of high quality wood and a fantastic material to use for fence poles, posts and gates, but it also has a wide range of benefits to both the local community and the environment.

Climate change is an increasing concern in today’s world, and whilst it doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon, there are of course ways to try to minimize our effect on the environment as much as we can. Sustainable woodlands with regular maintenance, can help mitigate negative impacts by way of protecting and nourishing soils, supporting biodiversity and ultimately preserving ancient woodlands which play a significant role in the agriculture of our land.

Trees and woodlands are a vital part in our ecosystem and landscape. As well as being a source of natural beauty, where people are free to enjoy walks, runs and bike rides, they also provide rich habitats for local wildlife – where flowers, insects, birds and other animals can flourish in a variety of habitats. The surroundings provide homes, nesting spaces, shelter and food, and are crucial for the survival of the woodlands inhabitants and preservation of the local environment. This provides all sorts of varying environments allowing all types of species to thrive the way they need to.

When the wood is coppiced, it is cut down to ground level and when this happens, a flurry of activity follows. Light floods in, seed banks contained within the wood are released, generating an explosion of growth, producing rich food sources and one of the most significant changes you will see is when the bluebells are in bloom. A sea of purple/blue covers the ground and it really is something to see!