WOODLAND MANAGEMENT

A Cut Above provide woodland management services across Surrey, Berkshire and Hampshire.

We believe the best way to maintain woodland is with as much consideration to the ground and wildlife as possible. Preservation of the woodland is at the heart of what we do, so, although large forestry equipment can be efficient, it can cause problems with compacting the ground and destroying the homes of many of the mammals living there. Our machinery is low impact whilst still being efficient.

We provide free site inspections which includes planning future work with the estate managers. Our goal is to ensure the site is sustainable for years to come and to improve biodiversity.

01932 877619 | 07738857619

WHY DO WOODLANDS REQUIRE MANAGEMENT?

Surrey is the most wooded county in England with a woodland covering of over a fifth of the county. These woodlands provide a rich habitat for a range of species and keeping our woodlands full of wildlife is important for each and every one of us. Much of the woodland in England relies on woodland management in some form to keep a great mix of habitats and biodiversity.

Without management, our woodlands would grow dark and large trees would dominate the space and create an over-shaded woodland floor. Low level species such as Silver Birch, Holly, Elder, Hazel, Ferns which provide safe habitat for ground mammals, would struggle to grow in these conditions. As a result these ground mammals such as Foxes, Badgers, Mice, ground nesting Birds, Deer, Hedgehogs, Snakes etc would struggle to live in these conditions and their numbers would reduce.

Woodland provides homes for thousands of species of plants, animals and fungi, they absorb pollution and carbon dioxide cleaning our air, reduce flooding, provide a sustainable material - timber and give people a place to explore whilst helping us to relieve stress. By protecting our woodlands sustainably, we will ensure biodiversity for the next generations.

PROJECT

We have been working with Horsell Common Preservation Society for over 10 years managing 355 hecres of woodland. We have been involved in projects to create new habitat areas, such as Heather Regeneration and woodland thinning to allow light to penetrate the woodland floor etc. As Horsell Common is a beautiful hot spot for walkers, horse riders, dog walkers and family days out, we have also had to ensure walkways are safe from unhealthy, dangerous trees. We also maintain the roadside trees that edge the woodland, keeping the highways safe.

A more recent project we have completed was a clear fell and thinning project on the Wheatsheaf Common, a patch of Horsell Common land that is managed by Horsell Common Preservation Society. The project tackled many local issues; we clear felled three areas to allowed for ponds to be constructed which now hold the water that previously flooded the local properties. Another issue was that due to it's dense, overgrown woodland, the location being very close to the town centre was known for being host to plenty of anti social behaviour. Thinning the area made it a bright and open space, whilst allowing light into to penetrate the woodland floor, this will not only benefit the biodiversity of the woodland, but also make it open enough for walkers to feel safe and seen. Our 8 tonne digger and forestry forwarder made light work of this and the tree project was completed in 2 months.

PROJECT

A woodland thinning project in the middle of Horsell Common, another area of dense woodland. The aim here was to thin this section of woodland that used to be common land with out any trees. The pines have been allowed to grow wild all over this part of the common and they are provide little habitat for another other species. Horsell has a huge population of wildlife and is of European importance for supporting breeding populations of three bird species: Nightjar, Woodlark and Dartford Warbler. Managing this common to improve the habitat is part of the preservation. The timber from this project was taken less than a mile into the common and stacked up to be seasoned. Eventually it will be chipped up and used in HCPS biomass woodchip boiler which powers the buildings in Heather Farm all year round.