How is a new forest established?
Establishment of a new forest requires considerable prior planning. This page looks at how these plans are prepared. It also examines how decisions are made in relation to cultivation techniques and the use of natural regeneration in the restoration of native woodland.
A planting plan is prepared prior to the commencement of operations. Within this plan, natural features such as ponds, streams, cliffs, rocky outcrops, natural woodland, scrub or wetlands are recognised as important local wildlife habitats, as are their contribution to the landscape. Planting is kept back from the margins of these habitats that varies according to the scale of the site and the natural features. Landscape considerations are also influenced by dwellings lying in close proximity to the site.
Decisions relating to cultivation techniques are taken after considering the soil type, topography and natural drainage of the area. On mineral soil, ripping or mounding techniques are now preferred to the traditional ploughing that was much in evidence during the major afforestation programmes of the 1960's. Ripping is used where an impervious layer requires breaking up in order to improve drainage. Mounding creates small upturned turves into which the plants are inserted. This raised planting position is necessary to overcome a high water table. It also produces a weed free site which is so beneficial for rapid early growth, reducing the reliance on chemical control methods. Drainage operations are carried out in accordance with Best Practice Guidelines, to minimise the risks of erosion and sedimentation. Fences are erected to prevent browsing damage and soil compaction by domestic and feral animals. The trees are planted manually, at a close spacing of 1.7- 2.0 metres apart, in areas where timber production is an objective. Close spacing reduces the size of the branches, thereby reducing the size of the knots in the timber, resulting in a higher timber quality. Larger branches will occur at wider spacing, causing larger knots in the timber, which lowers the quality of the timber thereby limiting its use in the higher value markets.
Natural regeneration is a favoured technique in the restoration of native woodland but is rarely used in the creation of commercial broadleaved or coniferous forest. Conditions must be favourable to allow sufficient quantities of viable, windblown seed from an adjacent woodland or forest to germinate successfully. Whilst this method can eliminate the need for nursery stock, it can often be unreliable because of the difficulty in obtaining an even spread of seedlings over a new site.
