Woodland Conservation Group (Fridays)
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Oxleas Wood
Friday, 28th August 2026
Looking Ahead!
It was down the hill and along the ride in Oxleas Wood for our 16 volunteers on Friday, making an interesting change from their regular workplace in Jack Wood. As usual, there was plenty of chatting as we wheeled the barrows and carried some rather heavy tools, making the long walk seem not quite so noticeable – at least not on the outward journey!
Despite recent weather, we are already planning for our autumn and winter woodland work. This session was designed to support the upcoming 2026–27 coppicing season, with the volunteers preparing the area so that the coppicing team can work safely and effectively when the time comes. Having a large group provided the perfect opportunity to get a good start on this important work.
Bramble, Ivy and Honeysuckle Clearance
While bramble, ivy and honeysuckle are all valuable parts of the ecosystem, in a coppiced area they can become particularly vigorous. If allowed to grow unchecked around newly cut coppice stools, they can compete for light and growing space and, in some cases, smother the emerging shoots. But this doesn't mean we simply clear them all away. Far from it!
All three species not only provide nectar for pollinators, and food for animals, but also provide shelter for other woodland creatures.
So selective clearance is the key, focusing our efforts on clearing around the coppice stools, reducing vigorous growth immediately around them. This gives the new shoots room to develop and provides the coppicing team with a safe working space when the stools are cut.
Break
As always, a very welcome break in the middle of the session not only provides the opportunity for a drink and biscuit but a chance for a chat with other volunteers.
Holly Clearance
We also carried out selective clearance of holly within the area being prepared for coppicing. As you will know, holly grows very successfully in woodland conditions, and where it becomes too abundant it can contribute to a dense canopy or understorey, reducing the amount of light reaching the woodland floor. This can make it difficult for other woodland plants to establish and can gradually alter the character and structure of a coppice area.
Again, selective removal is the important principle. We are not trying to remove these species from the woodland altogether. Trees and shrubs left outside the management area continue to provide valuable habitat – from shelter and nesting opportunities to food.
Creating and Retaining Habitat
Of course, the cut material, or arisings, need to be dealt with too. Wherever practical, we leave suitable material close to where it was cut. Branches and woody material gradually break down, returning carbon and nutrients to the woodland ecosystem and, perhaps even more importantly in the short term, creating additional habitat. Dead and decaying wood supports fungi, invertebrates and other organisms, while piles of brash can provide shelter and nesting or resting places for a variety of small animals.
Additionally, while we are working, we keep an eye out for ancient woodland indicator species, such as the guelder rose, and ensure we protect them during the coppicing programme. Once again, arisings from our activities are put to good use: poles are cut to size, bottoms are chopped to a point before they are hammered into the surrounding earth as protective stakes which identify the position of such important vegetation.
So, while Friday's work might have looked like a lot of cutting, clearing and barrow pushing, there was a bigger purpose behind it: preparing the woodland for the next stage of its coppicing cycle while retaining as much wildlife value as possible.
And with 16 volunteers putting in the hard work, we made a very good start!
