woodlandheritage.org

Due to the current situation in Wales in respect of the devastating Phytophthora diseases, which are affecting many woodlands in that part of the country, we have decided that it would be prudent and responsible to postpone our visit to Wales to another year.

We realise that many of our members may be disappointed with the change of venue, but please rest assured that the decision has been made because we need to be sensitive to how the disease is spread. We would obviously not wish to exacerbate the problem.

Day One ~ Will be spent at a private estate at Honingham, Norfolk - a profitable family run woodland operation of some 300 acres with fabulous Sycamore, Chestnut, Walnut and Christmas trees.

Day Two ~ Sotterley Estate, Beccles – another excellent forestry estate with parkland and ancient trees. Dr Tom Williamson will talk about this historic landscape and it is hoped that Sven de Vriess an Oak provenance expert will also attend. We will also visit a sawmill on the estate, as well as other interesting aspects.

Day Three (morning) ~ Weasenham Estate’s “New Wood”, the site of our very first Field Weekend. Our host will be Toby Coke, the son of our former Patron. “New Wood” has been in existence since 1890 and is considered by many to be Britain’s’ finest mixed, uneven aged woodland. Famous for its collection of rare trees and shrubs, enriched by the stunning colours of Azaleas and Rhododendron, which should be in full bloom at the time of our visit. You will also see some huge trees up to 160 ft in height in an amazing microclimate. The day will finish at 2.00pm.

Further details and information will be published in our 2011 Journal and on our website
 

by Dr Sandra Denman, Forest Research Scientist

"What if Britain's most iconic and important broadleaf tree, the native Oak was to be reduced to a shadow of its current level?

Surely it is unthinkable that we could be without them?"

-An article about about Acute Oak Decline (AOD)-

Click here to dowload the pdf article

Forest Research (Forestry Commission) has published some guidelines about managing AOD:
Read more about Acute Oak Decline and download "Forestry Commission Practice Note 15": Forest Research Acute Oak Decline

This is a selection of what media and newspapers have written or broadcasted about the dangers and spread of Acute Oak Decline (AOD), and the urgent need for research and funding:

BBC West Midlands - Inside Out: Acute Oak Decline at Attingham Park, by Clive Dunn.
The article includes a 1:35 min video

Podcast BBC Radio 4 A Point of View, with Simon Schama: 'The tree that shaped Britain' [click the link to read the transcript in BBC News Magazine or click here to listen to the podcast in BBC iPlayer 07/05/2010]

Forestry Commisssion's Practice Note FCPN015  'Managing Acute Oak Decline', by Sandra Denman, Susan Kirk and Joan Webber

The Independent Disease threatens to fell Britain's historic oak trees

The Independent Now Britain's oaks face killer disease

BBC News Oak disease 'threatens landscape'

The Telegraph Mysterious new disease threatens oak trees

The Guardian New oak tree disease could 'change British landscape', experts warn

Mirror British woodlands hit by new killer disease

AOL News Oak disease 'could alter landscape'

Herald 24 Deadly disease confirmed in Hoddesdon woodland

Tree Diseases Conference April 2010

by Lewis Scott

Leader article from the latest Woodland Heritage Journal (2010)

Will we be investing in the vital management and aftercare of the saplings to ensure that they grow into high quality timber trees with tall clean stems for future generations to inherit?

Click here to download the pdf article

Tuesday 4^th to Thursday 6^th May 2010

Our fifth successive course took place this week at Whitney-on-Wye Sawmill and Joinery Workshops in Herefordshire and has been declared yet another huge success.

Once again participants came from all corners of the UK to spend three days with our exceptional Tutors to experience a unique and interactive learning opportunity. They all agree that this will benefit them in their varied and diverse careers. Here is just a small sample of their comments:

“The course has been enthralling from the first moment to the last. Well done Woodland Heritage for making something so very important, so very enjoyable”

“Overall, fantastic! Excellent theory & practical. A great & important networking opportunity. I think it is always difficult to balance sufficient content to justify cost/time with the danger of information overload. This course just about pulls it off.