Middlewood Park_ Design and Management

Middlewood Park

Woodland Design and Management Plan

SITE CONTENT & KEY ISSUES SWOT ANALYSIS

Middlewood Park

Salford is primarily urban. Around 1/3 of the city consists of rural open space, and relatively, the west side of Salford city is highly industrialised and densely populated. On the other side of the railway is Manchester city centre where it is mainly commercial with some residential pockets and various use high-rise buildings.

Middlewood Park is a 6-hectare site located at the very right side of the city of Salford, adjacent to the Manchester city centre and River Irwell.

of Salford

Important historical featureCathedral Church of St. John

Vegetation

The site is dominated by grassland. Shrubs and woodland edge species are only found on the slope of the north margin.

Topography

The site is mainly flat with a small hill about 5m in height next to the canal.

Manchester, Bolton & Bury Canal

Now derelict. Part of the canal that runs through the site has been restored and kept as a historical heritage and a feature of the site.

Brief history of the site:

It was a storage and transport area back in 1890s. There used to be warehouses, good sheds, mills and train tracks on site.

Railway Viaduct

The site is sorely isolated from both city centres by the viaduct which is 8m height difference.

CONCEPT

VISION & AIMS

A sustainable urban woodland for escaping city life and reconnecting with nature.

To establish an exciting woodland in the urban fabric that provides a sense of escape for busy urbanites from the hustles of city life. The park offers a higher quality of “close-to-nature experience” by featuring various types of woodland and aims to enhance the biodiversity in the urban area.

When it comes to facing global warming and extreme climate change in the future, some of the native vegetation will be replaced by adaptable exotic plants. Having a mix of native and exotic vegetation improves the resilience of the park. On a larger scale, the urban woodland also acts as a piece in the ecological stepping stone system in the Greater Manchester area, connecting the rural regions of Salford to the city centre of Manchester.

Narrow and interdict car excess on E Ordsall Ln to lessen the distinction between the two sides and by applying a woodland framework to unite the site as one.

Limited access of quality green space in high density area

Isolated/ Unwelcome

Propose Solution

Urban Woodland Park for local and serve as a stepping stone system in the wider context connecting Manchester and Salford

On the left, the woodland in front of the residential area is neat and uniform to match the urban style. The woodland character becomes more organic, en closed, and similar to natural woodland while moving closer to the rail viaduct on the right.

To provide a high quality and inclusive “urban green space” that encourages people to contact with nature to improve well-being.

Woodland Interior

The interior rooms are crucial to creating an attractive woodland: The change of light and shade Autumn leaf carpets Woodland herb and perennials.

City Centre

Sunken Theatre

MANAGEMENT

An adaptable and exciting urban woodland for many generations.

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To provide a long-lasting, exciting, and attractive woodland park that presents distinctive experiences throughout the year—using various approaches to maintain the unique character of areas.

Adaptive and Resilient

Extend vegetation living years through suitable management approaches. Use exotic vegetation mixes to experiment with the adaptation to future climate change.

Maintain Woodland Character Maximise Biodiversity

Improve wildlife’s living environment and maintain diversity through maintenance techniques and yearly surveys to support habitat conservation.

Advisor

Assign Project Manager and employ management team to take care of the park.

Full funding for the project through Establishing Years (Year 1-5), and funding for long-term management.

Project Manager is in charge of the major decision making of the management of the park.

partnerships provide trained staff or volunteers, while others deliver guidelines and advice for associated aspects of managing Middlewood Park.

MANAGEMENT METHOD

Middlewood Park has a main woodland as the framework and various character woodland areas. The management tasks are tailored to each zone in order to reach a high-quality and suitable management plan.

Main Woodland Woodland Core

Woodland Edge A Woodland Edge B Woodland Edge C

Wet Woodland Wet Woodland Edge Wet Woodland Core

Mash Area

Floral Meadow Pond Canal Cherry Grove Hazel Grove Lawn Collective Tree Garden

Orchard

Woodland Development Model

Provide professional insight of horticultural technique.

Responsibility

of Management Team: Park, Woodland and orchard management, canal and pond maintenance, operation of cafe and paddling boat rental.

Manchester City of Trees RSPB RHS Volunteers Skilled

paid staffs

Commission Partnerships

Source

volunteers

Bene ts for the organisation: Raise of awareness of the issues and the organisation Potential of increased membership

Bene ts for the project: Source of funding and grants for the project Provide guidance and professional advice Partnership supports Bene ts for the organisation: Increased project awareness to implement elsewhere

Middlewood Park is a newly planted woodland that needs extra care and attention during the first few years. Weed control is essential to ensure the young trees establish well and form the canopy sooner. After a continued canopy is developed, thinning and felling unwanted trees is vital for the ecosystem and the final proposed woodland structure.

Year 1-5 //Establishing Years

Year 10-15 //Canopy Developed

Introduce lower ground layer vegetation once the woodland has formed a continued canopy. Thinning is required when fast-growing species establish a canopy and start to suppress smaller trees and ground layer species.

Year 15+ //After Thinning

The thinning process allows the ecosystem to renew and grow to reach its balance, and also gives the slow-growing tree species space to develop into maturity and a period of time for ground layer species to thrive.

Lawn Field

Required regulary mowing retain cerntain grass height. Fre quency based on growth rate.

Year 20+ //Long-term

Thinning and coppice are required for the long-term management of a healthy woodland. Monitor and collect woodland data to support the management approaches. Regular health and safety checks to ensure park safety.

Regularly water surface clearance Waterway clearance in small sections where necessary Monitor and remove dominating species Periodic cutting of margin plants duing winter vagetation replacement De-silting pond if necessary Swamp Cypress Wet Woodland CC’ Section

Cherry

Project Manager

(Head Gardener)

Owner MOREwoods Funding Scheme Cafe and shop Paddling boat rental Forestry Commission The Woodland Trust Salford City Council Woodland Carbon Guarantee Maintenance budget Forestry Commission Funding & Income Source Year 1 10 15 5 Long term Short term Woodland Creation and Maintenance part of Countryside Stewardship JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC Volunteer hazel coppicing: assist skill staffs with rotational coppicing Spring bulbs Wild flower Paddling boat Cherry blossom Vegetation survey Species survey EVENTS/ FEATURE Winter EVENTS/ FEATURE EVENTS/ FEATURE MANAGEMENT MANAGEMENT MANAGEMENT EVENTS/ FEATURE MANAGEMENT Planning winter work Harvest fruit Autumn colour Plant new vegetation if necessary Pond clearance if necessary Tree felling if necessary Perennials cut back Coppicing Spring Summer Autumn

City Council

to FreGrove

Cafe & paddling boat rental

Paddling in the canal alongside the cherry tree grove is one of the highlight in Middlewood Park.

Rotational Coppice

Coppicing is a traditional approach to woodland management that allows some tree species to put out new shoots from their stump or roots in the following spring if cut down during winter. Corylus avellana (Hazel) is a typical species that respond well to coppicing.

Hazel Playground

A natural playground for kids. Corylus avellana (Hazel) planted sparse apart with bark chip flooring. Rotational coppice in coupes required and bark chip maintence.

Management Aim

To maintain a diverse mosaic of habitat and vegetation types, and to prevent fragmentation

Wet woodland Management

Rotational coppice shrub layer

Pruning edge trees to control shade of the pond

Regular thinning and felling where necessary

Mowing ground layer if necessary

Replace die out trees

Retain veteran trees and standing dead wood

Marsh area

This area is consisted of two distinctive speices: Taxodium distichum (Swamp cypress) and the undergrowth of Lysichiton camtschatcensis (Skunk cabbage). Taxodium distichum shows stunning yellow autumn colour and Lysichiton camtschatcensis provide vivid yellow and white colour in spring.

Management Aim

To create a UK native light woodland experience with special interest in spring

Establishing Year Management Tasks

Weed control durinig growing season

Thinning to provide space for slow-growth spp.

Introduce woodland herbs and climbers after the canopy is developed

Woodland Core Management

Regular thinning

Assess woodland climbers and herbs

Selective pruning

Coppicing and felling

Retain veteran trees and dead wood

Maintain glade margin

Regular health and safety check

Create small log piles for creature’s benefit

Glade Increases edge habitat within the wood and ensure light reaches the woodland floor. Glade management requires ragularly cut back of the ground layer after flower season, shurb cut back and coppicing of woodland edge species.

Flora Meadow Management Aim

To create a vibrant visual interest and provide habitat for pollinators

Specimen Tree Quercus pubescens

1. MANAGEMENT VISION & AIMS

1.1 VISION

An adaptable and exciting urban woodland for many generations

To provide a long-lasting, exciting, and attractive woodland park that presents distinctive experiences throughout the year—using various approaches to maintain the unique character of areas. The major management approach aims to maximise the site’s contribution to the area’s wildlife, increase the biodiversity of species wherever feasible, and manage the site to stop areas from becoming species-poor. Management should aim to compromise between visitors’ use and protection of the site wildlife (e.g., rotation access and zoning).

1.2 AIMS

Adaptive and Resilient

Extend vegetation living years through suitable management approaches. Use exotic vegetation mixes to experiment with the adaptation to future climate change.

Maximise Biodiversity

Improve wildlife’s living environment and maintain diversity through maintenance techniques and yearly surveys to support habitat conservation.

Maintain Woodland Character

Manage and maintain the unique character of the woodlands to present their best condition all year round in order to attract visitors.

The management plan of Middlewood Park can be separated into two parts with different goals the areas aim to achieve: Woodland and Habitats , and the Recreational Areas . This management report is focused on the first part of the management method and tasks: Woodland and Habitats.

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MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK

2.1 STRUCTURE OF PARTNERSHIP AND OTHER PARTICIPANTS

RSPB RHS

Information about wild birds protection and habitat conservation.

Provide professional insight of horticultural technique.

Responsibility of Management Team: Park, Woodland and orchard management, canal and pond maintenance, operation of cafe and paddling boat rental.

• •

Responsible for the management of Middlewood Park.

Assign Project Manager and employ management team to take care of the park. Full funding for the project through Establishing Years (Year 1-5), and funding for long-term management.

Project Manager is in charge of the major decision making of the management of the park.

Volunteers Skilled paid staffs

Bene ts for the project: Source of funding for the project Local volunteers Workshops and training Skilled workers

Bene ts for the organisation: Raise of awareness of the issues and the organisation Potential of increased membership

Middlewood Park aims to present a unique neighbourhood nature park that can be enjoyed in all seasons. In order to achieve that, high maintenance is required. As the park’s owner, Salford City Council is responsible for maintaining the park after construction is completed. A project manager is required due to the high level of upkeep demanded.

Partnerships

Some partnerships provide trained staff or volunteers, while others deliver guidelines and advice for associated aspects of managing Middlewood Park.

Advicery/ Guidelines

Bene ts for the project: Source of funding and grants for the project Provide guidance and professional advice Partnership supports

Bene ts for the organisation: Increased project awareness to implement elsewhere

Bene ts for the project: Local volunteers Local community has a sense of place keeping

Bene ts for the community: Provide close to nature environment Better scenery

Manchester City of Trees

Local community volunteers

Woodland Trust Forestry Commission

Canal & River Trust The wildlife Trust

Middlewood locks

Advisor

Project Manager (Head Gardener) Management Team

Salford City Council Owner

2.2 FUNDING SOURCES AND SCHEME

Funding & Income Source Year 1 10 15 5

Short term

The Woodland Trust

MOREwoods Funding Scheme

Forestry Commission

Woodland Creation and Maintenance part of Countryside Stewardship

Long term

Salford City Council

Maintenance budget

Forestry Commission

Woodland Carbon Guarantee

Cafe and shop

Paddling boat rental Orchard events

MANAGEMENT YEARLY TASKS AND EVENTS

EVENTS/ FEATURE Winter

Summer Autumn

Volunteer hazel coppicing: assist skill staffs with rotational coppicing

Perennials cut back Coppicing

Tree felling if necessary

Spring

EVENTS/ FEATURE

Spring bulbs

Cherry blossom

Wild flower Paddling boat

MANAGEMENT

Planning winter work

EVENTS/ FEATURE MANAGEMENT MANAGEMENT

Vegetation survey Species survey

Harvest fruit Autumn colour

EVENTS/ FEATURE MANAGEMENT

Plant new vegetation if necessary Pond clearance if necessary

4. MANAGEMENT OF THE WOODLANDS AND HABITATS

MANAGEMENT APPROACH

The Middlewood Park has a main woodland as its framework that is composed of various character woodland areas to provide biodiversity and seasonal interest. The management tasks are tailored to each zone in order to reach a high-quality and suitable management plan, which will be demonstrated by orders (fig 4-1).

The general tasks of maintaining the main woodland area are divided into two stages: the Establishing Years (fig 4-2) and the Long-term Management (table 4-1).

figure 4-1 Management zoning plan

table 4-1 Main woodland management tasks

Main Woodland Woodland Core

Wet Woodland

Wet Woodland Core

Wet Woodland Edge

Woodland Edge A Woodland Edge B Woodland Edge C Mash Area Orchard

Floral Meadow Pond / Canal Cherry Grove Hazel Grove Lawn Collective Tree Garden

Detail Why Time Frequency Where Other Participants Tasks

Establish Years (Year 1-5)

1 Weed control

Use foliar acting herbicides to keep 1m squared around each tree weed free during growing season.

2 Ragular Grass/weed cutting Cut back grass and keep weeds of semi-shade like nettles and brambles in check.

To eliminate weed competition for young trees. Year 1-3 mid Apr-Sep If weed coverage exceed approximately 50% of the area Ground layer -

Main Woodland Woodland Core Wet Woodland

To reduce competition for young establishing trees. Year 1-5 Jul Annual Ground layer -

3 Thinning Remove 25% of trees on first thinning operations; 15% removal after 5 years. Gives trees more space to establish a fully growth Year 5 Nov-Feb Twice Tree layer

Longterm Management

Woodland trust, Local volunteers

4 Replace die out trees Replace plant to suitable species if a lot of them die out. To place the gap and find our what are the suitable species. Oct-Mar If necessary Tree layer Local volunteers

Wet Woodland Edge Wet Woodland Core

Woodland Edge A Woodland Edge B Woodland Edge C Mash Area

1 Plan out management goals/ tasks Discuss management approach of the year. To set out management plans according to the current situation.

3 Create small log piles

Apr-Aug Annual Whole site Other advisory partnerships

2 Monitor and mapping species Annual inspection of gerenal growth of the woodland. To keep track on invasion and specie domination. Apr-Aug Annual Whole site Wildlife trust, Woodland trust

Leave some small cut timber in the wood to create habitat piles. To provide shelter to the small animal and insects.

Orchard

Floral Meadow Pond / Canal Cherry Grove Hazel Grove Lawn Collective Tree Garden

After cutting, thining or coppiceWoodland Ground layer Volunteers

4 Coppicing and pollard Plan out the cutting cycle to create a mixed aged coppice on 15 years rotation. Extend shrub life and increase biodiversity by opening up ground layer. Depends on spp. Nov-Feb 15 years rotation Woodland Edge Volunteers

5 Health and safty check

Regular monitor and document tree health and condition. If safety concerns rises responsible actions are required.

To keep track on vegetation health and make sure it's a safe environment for visitors. Apr-Aug Annual Whole site Woodland trust

WOODLAND DEVELOPMENT MODEL

Middlewood Park is a newly planted woodland that needs extra care and attention during the first few years. Weed control is ess ential to ensure the young trees establish well and form the canopy sooner. After a continued canopy is developed, thinning and felling unwanted tre es is vital for the ecosystem and the final proposed woodland structure.

Year 1-5 //Establishing Years Year 10-15 //Canopy Developed

Plant fast-growing species to form canopy and establish woodland character. Bulbs are planted in a mass to create interest in spring, while young trees develop for the first 5 years.

Introduce lower ground layer vegetation once the woodland has formed a continued canopy. Thinning is required when fast-growing species establish a canopy and start to suppress smaller trees and ground layer species.

Year 15+ //After Thinning Year 20+ //Long-term

The thinning process allows the ecosystem to renew and grow to reach its balance, and also gives the slow-growing tree species space to develop into maturity and a period of time for ground layer species to thrive.

figure 4-2 Woodland development model

Thinning and coppice are required for the long-term management of a healthy woodland. Monitor and collect woodland data to support the management approaches. Regular health and safety checks to ensure park safety.

Woodland Character

Oak-Birch light high woodland with early spring woodland herbs.

Plant at 2m centre in group

Planting density: 25 trees per 100 m 2 Ratio of trees to shrubs : 80:20 (roughly)

Management Aim

To create a ‘‘UK native-like’’ light woodland experience with special interest in spring and focusing on habitat conservation.

Species Choice

Woodland Core Mix

Betula pendula

Ilex aquifolium

Populus tremula

Quercus falcata

Quercus pubescens

Silver birch Holly Aspen Spanish oak Downey oak

Woodland Climbers

Typical species for woodland ground cover (mix A)

Alliaria petiolata

Blechnum spicant

Convallaria majus Digitalis purpurea

Established Woodland Management

Hedera canariensis

Lonicera japonica Algerian ivy Japanese honeysuckle

Hyacinthoides non-scripta Narcissus pseudonarcissus Oxalis acetosella Primula vulgaris Ranunculus acris Teucrium scorodonia Viola odorata

Garlic mustard Deer fern Lily of the Valley Wild foxglove Bluebells

Wild Daffodil Wood-sorrel Primrose Buttercup Wood sage Sweet violet

Woodland Core Management Tasks

The management of the woodland core is mainly low after the establishing years. The most important and frequent long-term management work will be monitoring vegetation health and growth rate. These data lead to the decision-making of when and what approach should be used in maintaining the balance of this complex habitat to present its best character set in the design phase.

Table 4-2 only shows the additional tasks for the woodland core area from the general management tasks listed above (table 4-1)

table

4-2

Woodland core management tasks

Glade Management

Glades are crucial to the woodland habitat. It increases the edge area within the wood and ensures light reaches the woodland floor, which provides excellent opportunities for under-story species to thrive. The glade maintenance requires regular cut back and coppicing of shrubs and other woodland edge species, as well as ground layer cut back after flower season. This approach can ensure the glade maintains its margin and function without letting natural succession happen.

Main Woodland Woodland Core

Detail Why Time Frequency Where Other Participants Tasks

Establish Years (Year 1-5)

1 Introduce woodland herbs Once the woodland has formed a continued canopy, add in woodland herb mix. To increase biodiversity at ground level.

Woodland Edge A Woodland Edge B Woodland Edge C

Wet Woodland Wet Woodland Edge Wet Woodland Core

Year 5+ Oct-Nov Once Woodland Ground layer Local volunteers

Longterm Management

1 Regular thinning

Start time depend on species growth rate and if understorey plants are suppressed by the canopy shading.

Mash Area Orchard

Floral Meadow Pond / Canal Cherry Grove Hazel Grove Lawn Collective Tree Garden

2 Introduce climbers Once the upper layer is strong and tall enough, add in some climbers into the branches. To increase biodiversity vertically. Year 5+ Oct-Nov Once Tree layer -

To remain woodland stucture and increase light for understorey plants. Nov-Feb 10 years rotation Tree layer Volunteers

2 Assess woodland climbers Add or remove/ reduce depend on growing situation. See if it has successfully developed/ supressing the tree. Apr-Aug Annual Tree layer -

3 Assess woodland herbs Add/ replant during planing season according to planting plan if necessary. See if it has successfully developed Mar-Apr Annual Woodland Ground layer -

4 Perennial cut back Cut back ground floor perennials.

5 Grassland cut back Cut after the flowering season.

6 Selective pruning Trim back overgrowing canopy and cut down lower branches to maintain glade margin as neccessary.

7 Coppicing and pollard Plan out the cutting cycle to create a mixed aged coppice on 15 years rotation.

8 Retain veteran trees and standing dead wood Make sure they're not unsafe. Retain dead wood for small animals as shelters.

To present a tidy sence.

To present a tidy sence.

Nov-Dec Annual Woodland & Glade Ground layer -

Oct-Mar Annual Glade Ground layer -

To provide increased edge habitat within the wood and ensure light reaches the woodland floor. Nov-Feb 10 years

Glade Shurb Layer -

Extend shrub life and increase biodiversity by opening up ground layer. Nov-Mar 15 years rotation Glade Woodland trust Volunteers

Dead wood is a valuable resource for some species. If there is no safety concern, it's better for the ecosystem to keep them. - - Tree layer Woodland trust

WOODLAND EDGE A

Woodland Character

Oak-Birch light high woodland edge with early spring woodland herbs.

Plant at 2m centre in group

Planting density: 25 trees per 100 m 2 Ratio of trees to shrubs : 50:50 (roughly)

Management Aim

To create a similar UK native woodland semi-open edge, and to maximise the biodiversity value of the habitat while preventing fragmentation.

Species Choice

Woodland Edge Mix A

Betula utilis jacquemontii

Crataegus monogyna

Corylus avellana Corylus colurna

Prunus spinosa Sorbus aria

Birch(multi stemmed) Hawthorn Hazel Turkish Hazel Blackthorn Whitebeam

Typical species for ground cover

Alliaria petiolata Blechnum spicant Convallaria majus Digitalis purpurea Hyacinthoides non-scripta Narcissus pseudonarcissus Oxalis acetosella Primula vulgaris Ranunculus acris Teucrium scorodonia Viola odorata

Garlic mustard Deer fern Lily of the Valley Wild foxglove Bluebells Wild Daffodil Wood-sorrel Primrose Buttercup Wood sage Sweet violet

figure 4-5 Woodland edge mix A image

table 4-3 Woodland edge mix A management tasks

Detail Why Time Frequency Where Other Participants Tasks

1 Coppicing

Coppicing 'Crataegus monogyna ' and 'Corylus avellana ' in small coupe on 10 years rotation.

Extend shrub life and increase biodiversity by opening up ground layer. Nov-Feb 2 years Shurb Layer Volunteers, Woodland trust

2 Perennials cut back Cut back according to species requirements. To encourage flora generation next year. Feb-Mar Annual Woodland Ground layer -

3 Maintain woodland edge margin Cut back self-seeding woodland core tree species. To keep to the design plan and prevent natural succession dominating the whole area. Nov-Feb 3 years Woodland Edge Volunteers

4 Cut back/ pruning shrubs Check out under storey shrubs growth see if cut back is required. To prevent shrubs overgrowing suppressing other species. Nov-Feb 2 years Shurb layer -

5 Maitain margins of Vegetations Keep the margin of different areas according to design plan by cutting back. To keep to the design plan.

Nov-Feb Annual Woodland Edge -

6 Invasion control Remove/ reduce 'Rubus fruticosus ' and other fast growing or invasive species that might come along the woodland edge. To prevent unwanted, competitive vegetations. Nov-Feb Annual Woodland Edge -

Longterm Management

Woodland Edge A Management Tasks

Woodland Character

Red and pink colour theme vibrant seasonal woodland edge.

Plant at 2m centre in group

Planting density: 25 trees per 100 m 2

Ratio of trees to shrubs : 40:60 (roughly)

Management Aim

To create a visual abundant, neat woodland edge.

Species Choice

Woodland Edge Mix B

Acer campestre

Malus sylvestris

Prunus avium

Prunus serrulata

Rosa canina Sorbus aucuparia

Taxus baccata

Field maple Crabapple Wild cherry Japanese cherry Dog rose Rowan Yew

Typical species for ground cover

Campanula trachelium

Geranium pratense Geranium robertianum

Luzula sylvatica Narcissus pseudonarcissus Salvia verbenaca Sanguisorba officinalis Silene dioica Stachys officinalis Teucrium scorodonia Torilis japonica

Woodland Edge B Management Tasks

table 4-4 Woodland edge mix B management tasks

Tasks

Longterm Management

Detail Why

Bell flower Meadow geranium Herb robert

Greater wood-rush Wild daffodil Great burnet Red campion Common hedgenettle Devil’s-bit scabious Wood sage Upright hedge parsley

figure 4-6 Seasonal image of woodland edge mix B

Nov-Feb Annual Shurb layer -

4 Cut back Check out under storey shrubs growth see if cut back is required. To prevent shrubs overgrowing suppressing other species. Nov-Feb 2 years Shurb layer -

5 Maitain margins of Vegetations Keep the margin of different areas according to design plan by cutting back. To keep to the design plan.

Nov-Feb Annual Woodland Edge -

6 Invasion control Remove/ reduce 'Rubus fruticosus ' and other fast growing or invasive species that might come along the woodland edge. To prevent unwanted, competitive vegetations. Nov-Feb Annual Woodland Edge -

Woodland Character

Fruity, shruby and wild woodland edge.

Plant at 2m centre in group

Planting density: 25 trees per 100 m 2

Ratio of trees to shrubs : 60:60 (roughly)

Management Aim

To create a habitat that attract wild bird and small animals and high in biodiversity value.

Species Choice

Woodland Edge Mix C

Ilex aquifolium

Malus sylvestris

Olea europaea

Prunus padus

Prunus spinosa Rubus fruticosus

Sambucus nigra Sorbus aucuparia Vaccinium myrtillus

Holly Crabapple European olive Bird cherry Blackthorn Bramble Elder Rowan European blueberry

table 4-5 Woodland edge mix C management tasks

Typical species for ground cover

Campanula trachelium

Geranium pratense

Geranium robertianum

Luzula sylvatica

Narcissus pseudonarcissus Salvia verbenaca

Sanguisorba officinalis Silene dioica

Stachys officinalis Teucrium scorodonia Torilis japonica

Bell flower Meadow geranium Herb robert Greater wood-rush Wild daffodil Great burnet Red campion Common hedgenettle Devil’s-bit scabious Wood sage Upright hedge parsley

Rotational Coppice

Coppicing is a traditional approach to woodland management that allows some tree species to put out new shoots from their stump or roots in the following spring if cut down during winter. ‘ Corylus avellana ’ (Hazel) is a typical species that respond well to coppicing.

1 Coppicing Coppicing 'Crataegus monogyna ' and 'Corylus avellana ' in small coupe on 10 years rotation. Extend shrub life and increase biodiversity by opening up ground layer. Nov-Feb 2 years Shurb Layer Volunteers, Woodland trust 2 Perennials cut back Cut back according to species requirements. To encourage flora generation next year. Feb-Mar Annual Woodland Ground layer -

3 Place bird house Place bird house and bug hotels on trees and ground. To encourage wild bird to visit and nest. Jul-Aug Replace if necessary Woodland Edge RSPB, Wildlife trust, Volunteers

4 Cut back/ pruning shrubs Check out under storey shrubs growth see if cut back is required. To prevent shrubs overgrowing suppressing other species and improve the shape and character of a tree whilst maintaining health. Nov-Feb 2 years Shurb layer -

5 Maitain margins of Vegetations Keep the margin of different areas according to design plan by cutting back. To keep to the design plan. Nov-Feb Annual Woodland Edge -

6 Invasion control Remove/ reduce 'Rubus fruticosus ' and other fast growing or invasive species that might come along the woodland edge. To prevent unwanted, competitive vegetations. Nov-Feb Annual Woodland Edge -

7 Collect data of wild birds Monitor nesting rate and wild bird visiting frequency. To have a better understandind of wild bird habitat conservation. - very 3 months

Woodland Edge RSPB, Wildlife trust

Longterm Management

HAZEL GROVE

Woodland Character

Fruity, shruby and wild woodland edge.

Plant at 5m centre apart

Planting density: 10 trees per 100 m 2

Management Aim

To create a beautiful, aestethic hazel coppice with gentel carpet ground layer species.

Species Choice

Hazel Grove

Corylus avellana

Corylus colurna ellana Hazel Italian hazel

Typical species for ground cover

Alliaria petiolata

Narcissus pseudonarcissus

Ranunculus acris

Primula vulgaris

Prunella vulgaris

Silene dioica

Tulipa sylvestris

Tulipa tarda

Garlic mustard Wild daffodil Buttercup Primerose Self-heal Red campion Wild tulip Late tulip

Hazel Grove Management Tasks

table 4-6 Hazel grove management tasks

Tasks

Longterm Management

1 Raguler coppice

figure 4-8 Hazel grove section

figure 4-7 Sissinghurst Castle Garden. Image of hazel coppiced grove with lovely ground cover.

Sissinghurst Castle Garden. https://www.ntprints.com/image/1056200/jonathan-buckley-the-nuttery-inspring-at-sissinghurst-castle-garden-near-cranbrook-kent 0 1 5 10 20m

Coppice of 'Corylus avellana' and 'Corylus colurna ellana ' on 5-10 years rotation in coupes: 1/3 of the trees in the system at a time. Extend shrub life and to form a coppided glade. Nov-Feb 5-10 years, depends on growing condition Shrub layer Woodland trust

2 Mow path Mowing height: 6cm. To keep the footpath accessible and tidy. - As required Ground layer -

3 Perennials cut back Cut back according to species requirements. To encourage flora generation next year. Feb-Mar Annual Ground layer -

4 Clean up coppiced cut Pile the small cut in other areas where necessary. Keep the ground neat. To present a clean and aesthetic image. After cutting, thining or coppice - Ground layer -

Woodland Character

Dominated by swamp cypress, shows dramatic autumn colour.

Plant at 2m centre in group

Planting density: 25 trees per 100 m 2 Ratio of trees to shrubs : 90:10 (roughly)

Management Aim

To maintain a diversee mosaic of habitat and vegetation types, and to prevent fragmentation.

Species Choice

Wet Woodland Core Mix

Betula pubescens Populus alba Populus tremula Taxodium distichum

Wet Woodland Edge Mix

Alnus glutinosa Alnus cordata Crataegus monogyna Frangula alnus Salix alba Salix caprea Salix cinerea

Marsh Area

Lysichiton camtschatcensis Taxodium distichum

Downey birch White poplar Aspen Swamp cypress

Typical species for arquatic margin plants

Alder Italian alder Hawthorn Alder buckthorn White willow Goat willow Grey sallow

Skunk cabbage Swamp cypress

Achillea ptarmica Butomus umbellatus Caltha palustris Carex pendula Filipendula ulmaria Iris pseudacorus Juncus effusus

Lychnis flos-cuculi Lythrum salicaria Myosotis scorpioides Prunella vulgaris Stachys palustris Succisa pratensis Vicia cracca

Sneezewort

Flowering rush Marsh marigold Sedges Meadowsweet Yellow-flag iris Soft rush Ragged robin Purple loosestrife Water forget-me-not Self-heal Marsh woundwort Devil’s-bit scabious

https://www.bigstockphoto.com/image-332453302/stock-photoiris-marsh-on-a-pond%2C-a-pond-with-yellow-flowers%2C-yellow-iris%2C-marsh-vegetation

figure 4-9 Aquatic marginal plant featuring ‘ Iris pseudacorus’ (yellow-flag iris). This species spreads quickly, maintaining by digging out the unwanted ones to prevent species domination.

figure 4-10 Marsh area featuring ‘ Taxodium distichum ’ (Swamp cypress) and the undergrowth of ‘ Lysichiton camtschatcensis ’ (Skunk cabbage).

figure 4-11 Wet woodland section

Wet Woodland & Pond Management Tasks

The management of the wet woodland is similar to the main woodland mentioned above, with regular thinning to open up canopy and rotational coppicing to dense under-storey growth.

Ponds do not require much maintenance aside from removing any litter or organic matters and inspecting the pond for pollution or invasive or dominating species. Other than those above, controlling algal blooms is essential to a diverse pond habitat. Algal bloom is caused by a release of nutrients during soil disturbance and should reduce naturally over time.

table

4-6

Hazel grove management tasks

If it densely covers the water surface and prevents the light and oxygen from getting into the water, then clearing and treatment are required. To control algal blooms ideally is to remove the source of nutrients coming into the water; if it’s not possible, clearing by hand and treating with barley straw are the options. Barley straw is most effective if applied twice a year. Better results when applied in early spring before algal growth begins and again in autumn. Rotting tree bark can be just as good as barley straw at getting rid of algae which is a good reason for leaving some fallen branches in the water. (The Mersey Forest pond management guide)

Detail Why Time Frequency Where Other Participants Tasks

Longterm Management

1 Waterway clearance

Remove trash, excess mud silt and organic matter where necessary in small sections. Regular cleaning helps prevent serious cloggage of the pond. Oct-Dec Annual Waterway Fresh water habitat trust

2 De-silting pond Clearing of bottom muck. De-silt centre part of the waterbody only. To maintain biodiversity. (Wildlife needs deeper water) Nov-Feb 2 years

Bottom of pond Fresh water habitat trust

3 Water surface clearance Remove trash and organic matter floating on the water. To maintain a clean and beautiful environment. If necesseray Fortnightly Water Surface Fresh water habitat trust

4 Monitor pond vegitations

Map out vegetation plans to monitor plant growth, expansion or invasion. To collect data of plant growing rate in order to identify fast growing species and species domination. - Monthly record

Pond and margin area Wildlife trust, Woodland trust

5 Remove dominating species Cut back or remove dominating and quick growing species as required. To prevent dominating species taking over the whole area and smothering other plants, decreasing biodiversity. Oct-Dec At least once a year (depends on spp.) Pond and margin area Local volunteers

6 Periodic cutting Reeds, wet grassland and other aquatic vegetations required cut back or mowed. To maintain a neat and sense of care environment. Nov-Mar Annual Pond and margin area -

7 Shade control Retain vegetation on the northern side of the pond and clear only the southern edges. To ensure sunlight for aquatic plants to carry out photosynthesis. Nov-Mar If shade coverage exceed approximately 40% of the area

8 Remove cuttings

9 Vegetation replacement

Place cleared vegetation on the bank, close to the water for 24hr to allow trapped wildlife to escape back into the water. The removal can be used as compost for the orchard.

To prevent smothering the waterway and lessen habitat damage. After cutting -

Wet woodland edge -

Pond and margin area Volunteers

Replace die out plant with suitable species under yearly monitor. To place the gap and find our what are the suitable species. Oct-Dec Annual Pond and margin area -

10 Pollution of water Clear out the pond in sections. To ensure solving the pollution entirely. Oct-Dec If necesseray Pond Fresh water habitat trust

11 Coppicing and pollard

12 Regular thinning

Coppicing 'Alnus glutinosa ' and Alnus cordata ' in small coupe on 15 years rotation.

To dense the under-storey layer and increase biodiversity by opening up ground layer. Nov-Feb 3 years

Wet woodland edge Volunteers, Woodland trust

Start time depend on species growth rate and if understorey plants are suppressed by the canopy shading. To remain woodland stucture and increase light for understorey plants. Nov-Feb 10 years rotation Tree layer Volunteers

13 Regular mowing Mowing required when under storey grass reach over 40cm To keep the wet woodland edge and the bank neat. -

When under storey grass reach over 40cm Wet woodland edge -

Management Aim

Enhance community participation and increase wildlife abundance through food production.

Species Choice

Orchard

Malus domestica ‘Greensleeves’

Malus domestica ‘Saturn’

Pyrus communis ‘Concorde’

Pyrus communis ‘Winter Nelis’

Festuca longifolia

Apple Apple Pear Pear Grass

The Orchard Management Tasks

Established Years (1-10 years)

Many young trees fail to grow or die before maturity due to neg ligence. Aftercare should focus on watering, weed and pest con trol,and firming in. Keep an area of 1m 2 around the base of each tree weed free to exliminate the competition with weeds. Always water the trees and maintain the watering programme during the establishment phase.

Long-term

Pruning is essential when it comes to managing an orchard. It’s an approach to improve the shape and character of a tree whilist maintaining health. By removing unwanted growth, crossbranch es and deadwood can restore health and vigour of the tree.

table 4-7 The orchard management tasks

Detail Why Time Tasks

Establish Years (Year 1-5)

1 Weed control Use foliar acting herbicides to keep 1m squared around each tree weed free during growing season. To eliminate weed competition for young trees. Year 1-3 mid Apr-Sep

If weed coverage exceed approximately 50% of the area Ground layer -

2 Ragular Grass/weed cutting and mowing Cut back grass and keep weeds of semi-shade like nettles and brambles in check. To reduce competition for young establishing trees. Year 1-5 Jul If grass height exceed 40 cm Ground layer -

3 Path mowing Regular mowing foot path at 60mm. To keep the footpath visible and accessible.

Year 1-5 Jul If grass height exceed 10 cm Ground layer -

4 Fertilise fruit tree When and what kind of fertiliser is required differ on the growing condition and nutrients it lacks. To producing better fruits and increase production. Year 1-5 Depend on growth conditioin. - Under the tree -

5 Replace die out trees Replace plant to suitable species if a lot of them die out. To place the gap and find our what are the suitable species. Oct-Mar If necessary Tree layer Local volunteers

Longterm Management

1 Hold Fruit Harvest Event Fruit picking event for visitors as a funing source. As one of the funding source of park management. Oct-Feb Monthly Orchard Volunteers/ Locals

2 Fruit harvest Rest of the fruit goes to food bank or charity. Bad ones goes to compost on site. - Oct-Feb Monthly Fruit tree Volunteers

3 Regular Pruning

4 Regular cutting back

5 Mow grass

To remove cross branches. Pruning Pyrus communis 'Concorde' and Pyrus communis 'Winter Nelis' as required.

Cutting back Malus domestica 'Greensleeves' and Malus domestica 'Saturn' as required

To encourage fruiting for next year and improve the shape and character of a tree whilst maintaining health Nov-Jan Anunal Fruit tree -

To encourage fruiting for next year. Oct-Nov Anunal Fruit tree -

Left 1m from the centre of tree unmowed. Mowing height: 30cm. Footpath mowing height: 6cm. To keep the footpath accessible and tidy. - As required Orchard footpath -

6 Monitor tree diseases Yearly check and document tree health. To make sure trees are desease-free and get treatment when needed. Sep Anunal Fruit tree -

‘‘A sustainable urban woodland for escaping from daily city life and reconnecting with nature.’’