A Woodland Heritage Demonstration Woodland

James Wood is being created from a generous bequest from James Stratton. The wood is owned and run by Woodland Heritage, to demonstrate the value of productive woodland as an increasingly important resource for the United Kingdom. 

The woodland will provide fine timber as a primary crop. It will also provide education, carbon capture, flood resilience and an increase in biodiversity.

James Wood is located in Somerset, between the Quantock Hills and Exmoor National Park. The land comprises around 85 acres of former farmland and unmanaged woodland. Scroll down to read more about our ambitious planting plans.

About James

James Wood was made possible through a bequest by James Stratton (1971-2019).

The family recognised that professionals who were dedicated to James’ vision were needed to achieve the goal; Woodland Heritage was the ideal choice.

In April 2019 Woodland Heritage met with James and his mother and father, Suzette and Martin. That day, together, the group took their first steps to realise James’ vision of buying some land and planting a wood which would support itself.

James was living through advanced cancer, and passionately shared what mattered to him.

● James wanted to see the new woodland thrive.

● James appreciated home-grown timber; even the flooring in his home and his dining table were made of English oak and full of character. He hoped the woodland would yield fine timber and that this approach would support the health and character of the new woodland.

● James thought long term. He felt it vital the woodland should be well managed, and play its part in climate change and flood attenuation.

● James had always loved the great outdoors and nature; trekking throughout the world, the newts in his garden pond, stag beetles in his loggery, trees he had germinated from seed, were a source of joy. James’ last holiday in 2018 was a trip to Guyana to visit its massive rainforests and wild life. (His maternal grandfather was a timber merchant whose family had owned several sawmills in British Guiana.)

So, the woodland should be incredibly biodiverse.

Woodland Creation

Along with silviculture experts Pryor & Rickett, we have created an ambitious planting scheme for James Wood, which speaks to future-proof planting for climate change resilience, biodiversity and environmental regeneration. Softwoods, fruitwoods and hardwoods will all have their place in the landscape. Planting is planned to start in 2024.

Species list

Along with James’ favourite oak trees (Sessile, Pedunculate, Red, Cork, Holm, Hungarian, Down, Pin and Scarlet) there is an extensive planting list, which can be found below.

Woodland Management

There is also a significant area older unmanaged woodland at James Wood that we are looking to bring into management. This will likely include the long-needed thinning of existing 15-year-old planting and removal of ash where needed.

It’s vital we undertake this to unlock the significant potential of James Wood and boost biodiversity. We will of course make best use of what the woodland produces for us. This woodland management will be planned to fit around the upcoming woodland creation.

Pryor & Rickett Silviculture manage a diverse portfolio of properties throughout the UK
from species rich ancient woodlands to extensive conifer plantations, and from small farm woodlands to whole estates. You can read more about their work on their website www.silviculture.co.uk.

From 2024, Brendon Hill Tree Services will be working on the site to install deer fencing and other maintenance work on the site to protect the young trees we plant. To learn more about Brendon Hill Tree Services, please visit their website: www.brendonhill.co.uk

Woodland Heritage Membership

If you are not yet a member of Woodland Heritage, you can sign up for as little as £36 per year or £3 a month. Click below for more information.