Volunteers with replacement saplings (c) Rob Lacey/Grundon
Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust is preparing for the effect of ash dieback at Lower Woods nature reserve.
Lower Woods, near Wickwar, is one of the largest ancient woodlands in the south-west of England, at just under 300 hectares, is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). There is evidence that it was managed as a woodland 2,000 years ago, when the Romans occupied the area.
Ash trees are one of the most common species in Lower Woods, accounting for up to 70% in many areas of the woodland.
Copyright Mike Martin
The loss of ash trees will have a pronounced effect on the countryside and on biodiversity: 12 species of bird, 55 mammals and 239 invertebrates are associated with ash woodland.
Staff and volunteers have been moved to take action, and are working to grow replacement trees in a new tree nursery.
Oak saplings are being grown from acorns collected in the reserve, and when they reach around 48 months old they, and other species, will be planted in the woods to help fill the gaps resulting from ash tree losses. Other species of trees will also be raised here: hazel, hornbeam, beech and even a few walnut trees. Wild service and hawthorn will also be raised, but these are much more difficult to grow from seed than oak trees and require specialist knowledge.
The nursery has been built by staff and volunteers, and a potting shed erected entirely using timber harvested from the woodland.
Neil Lodge, Reserve Manager at Lower Woods, helps to construct the nursery shed. (c) Rob Lacey/Grundon
“Whilst we hold out hope that a solution can be found to save our ash trees we have to prepare for the worst and ensure that there is a long-term future for our ancient woodlands. This project not only helps to build resilience to the impact of ash die back but also for the predicted consequences of climate change, which may reduce the ability of some native species to persist.”
Grundon Waste Management, a long-term supporter, provided £20,000 to fund the nursery.
“The effects of ash die back have the potential to be absolutely devastating for finely balanced biodiversity of our beloved woodlands. This is why Grundon felt that it was vital to support this initiative which mitigates this dieback and helps to preserve our ancient woodlands, such as those as Lower Woods Nature Reserve,” says Anthony Foxlee-Brown, Head of Marketing and Communications at Grundon Waste Management.
Grundon Waste Management is a family business helping companies divert waste from landfill for recycling. Grundon operates a major integrated waste management facility in Gloucestershire.
Over more than two decades it has supported Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, donating more than £2 million to help preserve wildlife.
