Canada Woods
market lavington
Canada Woods Regeneration
Market Lavington is a rural community consisting of a population of around 2,400 and covers an area of .9600 km2. It sits on the northern edge of Salisbury plain in Wiltshire, South West England, 5 miles (8.0 km) south of the market town of Devizes. The Parish includes the hamlets of Northbrook, Lavington Sands and Fiddington Sands.
Canada Woods is approximately 2 hectares of sloping native semi-natural woodland on the North West side of the village. There is a small area of grassland adjoining the woodland, (Community Park) to the South East and farmland above to the North.
The spring fed Easterton Brook rises north of Easterton in Wiltshire and flows east to west through Canada Woods in Market Lavington to meet the Semington Brook, which in turn flows into the River Avon in Whaddon, approximately 8km upstream of Bradford-upon-Avon. Easterton Brook provides amenity value to the local residents of Market Lavington; generations of whom have grown up enjoying the natural environment and wildlife.
The oldest of trees are Oak, Beech, Sycamore, Ash and Hazel. With some Willow and Alder along the watercourse.
Canada Woods was formerly known as Beech Wood and some of the beech trees are of veteran status.
Soilscape England has defined the soil as freely draining, slightly acid and loamy (a mixture of sand silt and clay). There is some historical geology of upper greensand (glauconitic sediment from the Jurassic period) in the area, especially in the Vale of Pewsey.
We have a diverse range of species and habitats but no protected species or habitats exist within Canada Woods.
Market Lavington Parish Council has owned Canada Woods since the early 2000’s; it was previously in the ownership of Wiltshire Council.
The woodland has had very little management for 20 or so years and the trees are now suffering with the fight for sunlight and nourishment. The watercourse banks are suffering erosion and the footpaths are inaccessible in some areas.
Project Aims & Goals
Regeneration
To regenerate the woodland and promote healthy growth for future generations to enjoy.
accessibility
To provide an accessible and inclusive woodland space for the community.
community
To provide a Community Space on the amenity land adjoining Canada Woods known as “Community Park”.
functionality
To provide a useable space for schools and community projects.
positivity
To generate a positive outcome from a two-year pandemic.
The Parish Council set up The Canada Woods and Community Park project in December 2021. With the assistance of a Woodland Management Consultant, we have generated a 10-year management plan for the conservation and regeneration of the woodland by selective felling and coppicing. We will fell to the strongest of the grouping of trees.
The tree works will open the canopy and give light for growth of windblown saplings which currently struggle past spring to survive. It will also allow plant species to germinate in the current dark areas and give structure to the eroding soil.
The future of Canada Woods relies on the regenerative processes such as regular coppicing, to give a wide age range of trees with the right environment in which to flourish. The river requires dappled light and, in some areas, trees overshadow the waterway to its detriment.
Community Park is also in need of regeneration although the site has a few ground issues. The intention is to utilise the space for education, recreation and reflection in accordance with the Community’s suggestions.
The goal is to see a group of enthusiastic, trained volunteers, Friends of Canada Woods, who will maintain Canada Woods with support of the Parish Council and Woodland Managers for future generations to enjoy.
To become A Volunteer Friend of Canada Woods or to get involved in the project in any way please get in touch.
