Woodland Conservation - SHWWP

Oxleas Wood

Saturday, 13th June 2026

What a perfect day for a woodland conservation session! The sun was shining, the sky was brilliantly blue, and a gentle breeze kept temperatures comfortable throughout the morning. Best of all, despite some uncertain forecasts earlier in the week, there wasn’t a raincloud in sight.

Meeting at the fingerpost on the main ride in Oxleas, our team of 17 volunteers gathered, donned their hi-vis vests, collected their tools, and set off with enthusiasm for another productive morning in the woods.

A large branch had fallen across the path at our meeting point on the Green Chain Walk

One group tackled a substantial fallen branch that had come down from one of the woodland’s mature canopy trees. The branch was partially blocking the path and spanning a nearby ditch, so it needed to be dealt with safely.

First over the cleared bridge!

Volunteers began by removing the smaller side branches, carefully working them into the adjacent dead hedge where they will provide valuable habitat for insects, birds, and other wildlife, and boost biodiversity.

The larger sections were then cut into manageable lengths and moved beneath the tree canopy, allowing them to decompose naturally and continue supporting the woodland ecosystem.

The above photos show the place on the tree where the branch snapped off; the path itself now it has been cleared; the size and final position of the broken branch. It is quite a size!

Meanwhile, a second group headed towards the coppicing area further along the path. Their task was to collect the last remaining posts and hazel binders left on the woodland floor from previous work. Once gathered, the binders were added to the existing dead hedge, which helps protect the stream running through this part of the woodland, while also creating an important refuge for wildlife.

Sharpening the end of the posts

Back at the main work site, a larger team focused on strengthening sections of the dead hedge where some of the original support posts had deteriorated or disappeared over time. Volunteers worked together in a well-practised production line: some sharpened the ends of the posts, others used a metal post to create pilot holes in the ground, and the rest carefully positioned and drove the posts into place using post hats and sledgehammers.

By the end of the session, the hedge was noticeably stronger and more resilient.

Elsewhere, volunteers worked along the woodland paths, removing holly and other encroaching shrubs. The cut material was put to good use, helping to top up the dead hedge in this particularly well-used area of the woods. This not only improves the hedge’s effectiveness but also helps keep paths open and accessible for visitors.

One of the highlights of the morning came when several young children stopped to watch the work in progress. Armed with sticks of their own, they were full of questions about what we were doing and why. After learning about dead hedges and woodland management, they enthusiastically added their own sticks to the structure. Future conservation volunteers in the making? We certainly hope so!

The hedge protects the stream bed from trampling.

By the end of the morning, a tremendous amount had been achieved. Fallen timber had been cleared, the dead hedge reinforced and extended, materials from previous coppicing work had been put to good use, and plenty of habitat had been created for woodland wildlife.

A huge thank you to all 17 volunteers for their hard work, teamwork, and good humour. It was a wonderfully productive session and a great example of what can be achieved when people come together to care for their local woodland. 🌳🍃