The regeneration programme has been postponed until Mid-October; the exact date will be displayed in the usual ways nearer the time.
The delay is due to access requirements for Adam and his team at Wiltshire Forestry, and a complication with the logging horses.
Importantly, it means the woodland will be open to the public for the rest of the summer.
Could we just remind you that all the necessary checks have been made in respect of protected species both in Canada Woods and Easterton Brook. The contractor will always ‘nest check’ prior to felling.
There have been concerns raised to the variation on our felling licence. The variation considered and issued by the Forestry Commission was for permission to fell 200 trees. The variation is to allow us to remain compliant should there be ‘collateral damage’ whilst felling takes place or unmarked trees are felled due to disease noticed by the contractors. This variation was advised by our highly qualified woodland consultant as our original felling licence was too precise.
Under the Forestry Commission terms of licence, a maximum of 30% is the normal felling total specified. We have no intention or need to fell 30% of the trees in the area designated as compartment 2 on our felling licence. 200 trees being approximately 30% of the total trees in that compartment. There are less than 100 trees marked for felling in compartment 2.
The ecological integrity of Canada Woods depends on this regeneration programme. When the wild flowers establish, the canopy is opened and the understory begins to grow we can look forward to many species using the habitats this programme aims to provide and the return of native flora and fauna previously recorded within the woodland which has been missing for many years.