Blaen Bran Community Woodland Management Plan

BLAEN BRAN COMMUNITY WOODLAND
MANAGEMENT PLAN

Management Plan Revision July 2011.

The initial plan was written in February 2007 and covered location, landscape, historical background, projects and compartment descriptions. The revised plan is based on the vision and long term objectives set out by the directors of BBCW in 2009 and shown below.

BBCW – Vision and long term objectives

The Directors of Blaen Bran Community Woodland have the following vision: -

“To create a community woodland that is attractive and welcoming to visitors on foot, particularly those living locally, and to maintain and where possible improve the biodiversity of the woodland for future generations, actively engaging with young people to do this”.

We aim to do this by:

a. Encouraging the use of the woodland by responsible groups, such as scouts and guides, for camping and countryside activities such as orienteering

b. Encouraging schools to use the woodlands as a resource and as an open-air classroom or forest school and provide facilities to meet the demand.

c.Encouraging active participation in conservation by activities such as constructing bat and bird boxes, tree planting, educational walks – for all ages.

d.Providing routes and encouraging private horse riding (riders to be members of BBCW) and commercial trekking

e.Managing the woodland to ensure it remains attractive to visitors by: -

(i) Maintaining and enhancing the views over the Bristol Channel, Cwmbran and the Wentwood ridge

(ii) Planting indigenous trees and shrubs species, which complement each other and give variety through the seasons

(iii) Without compromising a and b above, manage the woodland by thinning and removal of trees where necessary - with timber thus produced to be sold commercially to provide some income for the management of the woodland.

f. Providing access to view points in the woodland for those with impaired mobility e.g. suitable gradients and turning points for minibuses.

g. Encouraging research into the historical and mining heritage of the woodland and to improve the trails and interpretation as more information becomes available.

h. Continually monitoring perimeter fences and gates to insure the integrity of the woodland from vehicles and sheep. Rebuilding stone boundary walls and creating native shrub hedges, using local materials and traditional techniques.

i. Encouraging active co-operation and joint schemes with organisations sharing similar interests such as FoE, the Woodland Trust and Gwent Wildlife Trust.

j.Considering all countryside/woodland activities that will produce revenue provided that they are compatible with our overall vision and cause no damage e.g. green gym and team building exercises.

Summary of achievements from Feb 2007 to July 2011.

• Motor cycles excluded, mainly by the construction of a log barrier (the Alamo) in front of the fence along the boundary of Compartment 3.
• Additional horse trails / footpaths.
• Additional planting in compartments 3, 6,10,11, and 14.
• Native apple trees planted in Compartment 4 on the bank with a SW aspect below the forest road (2010-11) for a list of varieties see appendix 4.
• Traditional meadow planted in Compartment 6.
• Groups of trees planted to commemorate the coronation of Henry VIII in 1507 (Compartment 6)
• Line thinning of the larch in Compartments 5, 7 and 8. One row in three were removed by horse logging during 2007 and 2010
• Several wildlife ponds have been dug but with limited success. Most do not hold water throughout the year limiting their value. The oldest and most successful pond in Compartment 4 has been supplemented by a pond fed by mine water in Compartment 15.
• Following the line thinning, halo thinning of the larch was done to provide more light to the Beech avenue along the track between compartment 7 and 8. In addition some fire and vandalised larch were felled during 2010 in compartment 5.
• Tree o’clock – In December 2009 BBCW took part in a national event to plant as many trees as possible in one hour. Approx 100 people of all ages including local scouts, helped and over 2000 trees were planted.
• An arboretum is being established in Compartment 13. It will contain trees and shrubs which are considered native to this area. The native species are planted in groups of 5, each group is labelled with a metal plaque giving the English and Latin and family name. A map at appendix 2 shows the species and location of the arboretum. A more detailed description is given at Appendix 3.

Details of the Activities Feb 07 – July 2011 by compartment

Cpt 3. Natural regeneration of beech adjacent to the north edge of the old beech wood lifted and planted in bare ground adjacent to the old beech. This was carried out in 2009 by scouts during the tree o’clock. In addition a small group of Ash was planted towards the southern boundary. Natural regeneration from the mature beech is found in thick patches along the woodland edge.

Cpt 4. A pond has been constructed near the stream at the western end. Mature beech are found on the stream side. No planting is planned for this area, as it is important for conversation. The eastern end is is much drier and faces south. A traditional apple orchard of 18 trees was planted here in early 2011. See appendix 4 for list of species.

Cpt 5. Line thinning (1row in 3)of larch some damaged by fire and vandalism has been completed. Trails have been created particularly leading up to the site of the Blaen Bran Farm buildings. ( The farmland was planted by the Forestry Commission in 1937 – see map in 2007 plan and it is believed that the arm buildings were abandoned soon after.

Cpt.6 The eastern end is thickly stocked with beech regeneration. The area between the beech and the stream was planted during the tree o’clock event with cherry. To the east of the stream there is a group of trees planted in 2007 to commemorate Henry VIII s coronation in 1507. Different trees planted with wild flower meadow.

Cpt 7.The Japanese Larch (P1988) was excluded from the line thinning to maintain a thick woodland barrier to discourage access through the top fence particularly by motorcycles.

Cpt 8. This area (Japanese Larch (P1988) was line thinned (2007) but not all the timber lying in the racks was extracted and some still remains (Aug 11).

Cpt 9. This compartment is a mixture of Japanese larch and Sitka Spruce planted around 2000. There is regeneration of broadleaves particularly beech and birch. On the flatter groundat the eastern end there are holes which may be bell pits, a relic from early mining practice. A track beneath the avenue of beeches leads to Cpts 7 and 8.

Cpt 10. This area lies below the top road and is divided E-W by a fire break. At the western end oak, cherry and other broadleaves were planted around 2000. Also at the western end a variety of trees including larch and cherry have been planted (2005-6) adjacent to a clump of Japanese larch which is natural regeneration from the trees felled in the mid 1990s. On either side of the firebreak oaks were planted in 2005 and named after ships in Nelsons fleet at Trafalgar October 1805. Below the firebreak is a belt of hazel has been established (2008) which will be coppiced when the trees are of a merchantable size. A row of mature beech running N-S divides the compartment towards the eastern end. Adjacent to this beech on the eastern side “Friends of the Earth” have planted a copse of mixed broadleaves protected by shelters. A substantial area above and below the firebreak towards the eastern end was planted with broadleaf shrubs by Cubs and Scouts from local troops during 2007-8. Along the southern boundary between Cpts 10 and 11 there is an old wall with mature broadleaves mostly beech adjacent.

Cpt 11. This compartment occupies the steep bank between the road and Cpt 10. It was planted mainly with Japanese Larch during 2007 – 9. A few broadleaves particularly cherry have been introduced nearer the road.

Cpt 12. The bulk of this area is planted with Scots Pine dating from 1937. There is a small patch of Japanese Larch at the western end. This area has a high landscape and amenity value. A thinning has been marked which would enable BBCW to harvest some of the timber in case of infection by Phytopora ramorum.

Cpt13.The eastern end now contains an arboretum of trees and shrubs which are considered native to the area. Native trees are usually defined as those species which had colonised Britain after the ice age and before the English Channel was flooded about 5000BC. The species are planted in groups of 5 by families. This arboretum is still in the development phase, a few species are yet to be planted and some replacements are needed. It is intended to complete the arboretum during the 2011-12 planting season. The centre of this compartment will be left open as a wet area to encourage wetland plants such as cuckoo flower. Blocking the existing drains should be considered to ensure the wetland is retained. ( See appendices 2 &3).

Cpt 14. The majority of this area is a mixture of broadleaved shrubs and some commemorative trees. There are groups of larch at the northend alongside the mature beech and a group of Sitka spruce towards the SE corner. The Sitka sruce were planted as a trail in 2002 to confirm their resistance to sheep grazing before the sheep were finally removed.

Cpt 15. All the conifers in this compartment were felled by Chantler Timbers in the 1990’s. Replanting began in the late 1990’s but these trees were mostly destroyed by sheep grazing. Further replanting was done with a line mixture of Douglas Fir and Japanese Larch in 2003/4. Broadleaves were planted along the boundary against the forest road at the same time. Failed areas were planted with Sitka spruce in 2005. More recently a track suitable for horses in dry weather has been constructed. A pond fed by mine water has been opened up (2010/11) and is now an attractive feature seen from the track. Limited felly is needed to maintain views over the Severn.

Cpt16. This area contains a mixture of conifers mainly Douglas Fir and Japanese larch. The few older trees are the remnants of the 1998 restocking, the remainder date from early 2000. The compartment also contains one of the Sitka spruce trails checking the trees resistence to sheep grazing. On the northern boundary earthworks suggest the entrance and access of an old adit for coal mining.

Cpt 17. Scots Pine planted in 1937 by the Forestry Commission. A few trees with blackened trunks.

Cpt 18. Scots Pine. Site of compound for material storage particulary firewood.

Cpt19. Mainly Scots Pine but with some broadleaves – mainly beech on the western and southern boundary

Cpt20. Open Japanese Larch woodland planted 1937. A popular place for campfires, drinking parties etc. Some trees have been damaged by deliberate fires at the base of the trees.

Cpt21. Open woodland of Japanese Larch planted 1937. Trees damaged and some killed by fire. Dead and severly damaged trees have been felled. Some replanting of Japanes Larch in 2007/8. Site of Rare Fungi which needs open grown larch.

Tree Planting Policy.

The bulk of the woodland has been planted with trees. In the past planting has been mainly conifer dominated by DJapanese Larch. Until the advent of Phytophora, this was a proven tree for the South Wales Vallies. It is relatively resistant to fire and the versatile timber can be used for fencing, structural work and planking. In the future for amenity and firewood production it is intended to concentrate on broadleaves particularly focusing on ash where sites are suitable. Ash is the premier firewood timber. It will burn wet but better dry.

Use of the Woodlands for Recreation, Education and Training

A new car park has been constructed on the bend before the Square in Upper Cwmbran by Torfaen C.B.C. with grant aid funds. Increasing numbers of visitors (and their dogs) are now using the wood.

Camping is a mixed blessing. While responsible camping e.g Scouts is to be encouraged there is a problem with those that leave litter and bottles on site and damage the trees. Camping by permit has been considered but there are administrative difficulties.

The woodland has been used successfully for outdoor education (Forest School) although it is necessary to hire portable loos for such events.

The Police and the Lowland Dog Rescue use the woods for dog training.

The stone wall along the northern boundary needs building up and repairing in places. Courses covering this activity have been held on the site.

Riding is a popular activity at Blaen Bran and a number of members have permits. Ticken’s Trekking runs a commercial riding centre using the woods frequently particularly during school holidays. This provides BBCW with much needed unrestricted funds.

Fencing

The fencing along the track on the western boundary of the woodland has been strengthened by planting a hawthorn hedge and by the construction of a wooden palisade (the Alamo) on the inside of the fence. Larch from the thinning were used for this construction. The fence across the farmland on the eastern boundary is deteriorating and is scheduled for repair with the help of a grant from the Forestry Commission (Better Woodland Wales Scheme).

PROJECTS 2011 – 2016

The directors intend to encourage activities which are in keeping with BBCW’s Vision and Long Term Objectives.

Social Enterprise Project

This project is aimed at utilizing the larch / beech timber which will become available in the next few years. BBCW has a five year licence to thin the larch wood above the top track in compartments 7 and 8. Larch is threatened by Phytophora and if the disease is contracted all the larch will have to be felled in a short time. A grant from the Torfaen CBC has now been confirmed (Sept 2011) The main thrust of this project will be firewood production for wood burning stoves. As two years are needed for drying, secure compounds are needed for storage

Nature Trail

A nature trail is being prepared and it is hoped to complete this project by the Summer 2012. This trail will be marked by a number of oak posts and a description of the flora and fauna which may be seen in the wood.

Fencing

The maintenance and replacement of the fence on the eastern side of the property ( Forestry Commission Grant for part of cost)

Tree Planting

Very little space is now available for further planting. Open areas to maintain views are an important feature of the property and should be preserved. Felling larch along the top track in compartments 7 and 8 to create viewpoints would improve this part of the woodland. Some replanting with hazel and ash would provide firewood and could be coppiced before the view was blocked. Alternatively new vistas could be created within the larch. Some mixed broadleaf trees will be planted planting season 2011/12 in compartment 3 to commemorate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012.

Memorial Trees

At present the area opposite the steel cabins is mainly used for this purpose (cpt16). Space is becoming restricted and more room needs to be made available by clearing some of the undergrowth. Other parts of the woodland in particular Cpt 14 have also been used for memorials.

Access

At present access for the elderly and those with restricted mobility is limited. The tracks are satisfactory for 4 wheel drive vehicles (and those with older cars) but most people are unwilling to take their vehicles into the wood. The directors should consider how this may be remedied.

Tracks

A continuous programme of track maintenance is needed. BBCW now has the machinery to carry out this work, but scalping will need to be purchased. A continuation of the track from the pond to the Diamond Jubilee wood would complete tracks agreed in the Better Woodlands Scheme.

Cpt 13

The centre of this compartment is open marshy ground. To improve this environment it is suggested to block the existing drains to ensure the wetland is maintained.

Cpt 12

Some 60 trees mainly at the western end of Cpt 12 have been marked for thinning and a felling licence requested from the Forestry Commission. These are large trees dating from 1937. This project is in the nature of an insurance policy in case of infection by Phytopora. We need to make arrangements for sawing this wood.

Maintenance of Trees

Maintenance and replacement of trees representing Nelson’s Fleet along the firebreak . Young Apple trees in the Orchard. 500th Anniversary planting to commemorate Henry VIII Coronation.