Designation #

UK priority BAP, Conwy LBAP, LNR.

Size: 10.4 ha (including W8d). SSSI W8d = 7.6 ha.

.. image:: ../images/GtOrme9.jpg

Description #

A semi-natural mixed broad-leaved, deciduous woodland in a cool and wet climate, probably of ancient origin and largely composed of Fraxinus excelsior, Acer pseudoplatanus, and Ulmus glabra; represented by NVC categories W8d, Fraxinus excelsior - Sorbus aucuparia - Mercurialis perennis woodland. Also, Corylus avellana, Crataegus monogyna, Sambucus nigra and Ilex aquifolium, Sorbus aria, Malus sylvestris, Prunus avium, Taxus baccata. In the location Haulfre, with several localised areas dominated by conifers including Pinus sylvestris.

Attributes selected as performance indicators #

The woodland will be considered to be in favourable condition provided the following attributes are within LACs:

Extent #

The extent of woodland is vulnerable to decline where a continuity of growth through to old trees is not maintained, and scrub expands. Thus, limits are set to extent.

Quality #

Tree and shrub canopy composition
Canopy gap creation rate
Tree regeneration
Age structure of trees
Volume of dead wood
Field and ground layer composition
Absence of invasive species.
Target groundcover species

Attributes and Operational Limits #

Objective statement #

To maintain the existing woodland with natural-regeneration, and the full range of biodiversity, WHERE:

Extent of woodland #

Total area remains at the target level.
Target level: 10.4 ha.
Upper limit: None set
Lower limit: 9.36 ha.
A 10% decline in extent is permitted only if it is lost to scrub communities
Monitoring projects:
Extent of NVC plant communities, by aerial and ground survey. Continuously by eye.

Quality of woodland #

Tree and shrub Composition:

Target level: No decrease in the cover of Ash.
Upper limit: as per NVC floristic tables.
Lower limits: Presence of any locally native trees including Fraxinus excelsior (Ash), Ulmus glabra, Corylus avellana, Crataegus monogyna, Sambucus nigra and Ilex aquifolium, Sorbus aria, Malus sylvestris, Prunus avium, Taxus baccata
Monitor: Extent and composition of trees and shrub layers by ground and aerial survey.

Tree canopy cover #

Changes in composition are allowed, providing not to invasive exotics.

Target level: 80%
Upper limit: 90%
Lower limits: 65%
Monitor: Composition of canopy by aerial photos every 50 years

Canopy gap creation rate:

Target level: 0.5% of woodland area per annum (where a gap is 1.5 times the height of the tallest adjacent tree).
Upper limit: 1.5%
lower limits: 0.25%
Monitor: Rate of upper storey tree loss, by ground and aerial survey.

Natural regeneration of native trees within canopy gaps over a 20 year period:

Target: 5 saplings per 0.1 Ha of gap.
Upper limit: None set
Lower Limit: 3 saplings per 0.1 Ha gap.
Monitor: Monitor tree regeneration on the ground.

Age structure: Maintain a balanced, mixed age structure through management techniques.

Target level: Balanced, mixed age structure
Upper limit: none set
lower limit: All age classes represented in each O.5 ha. compartment.
Monitor: Age range of trees within each hectare

Volume of dead wood present #

Consisting of fallen trees, broken branches, dead branches on live trees, and standing dead trees.

Target level: Non-set
Upper Limit: Non set.
Lower limit: 30 cubic metres per ha., with 2 fallen trees and two standing trees per ha.
Monitor: dead wood volume on ground and standing (estimate)

Field ground layer composition #

Target level: A complex mosaic in composition and in structure, reflecting soil conditions, of the various NVC community or sub-community dominants of the NVC W9 and W8 ground layer communities.

Upper/lower limits: none set.
Monitor:
- Change in ground layer composition by ground survey, compared with NVC.
- Mecurialis Perrenis (acid soils), Deschampsia cespitosa (poorly drained irrespective of ph). Combined, these provide performance indicators for four broad site types.

Absence of invasive species:

Target level: Non set.
Upper limit: non set
lower limits: 10% increase in current levels.
Monitor: presence of invasive species

Current condition and status of feature #

Very little deadwood exists at this time, and natural regeneration is scanty. Tree canopy not dense. Little natural regeneration except some blackthorn at Pen Y D

Both woods are similar uneven age structure: 5% derelict, 15% over-mature, 50% mature, 20% semi-mature, 15% young canopy, 15% immature.

Total Area: 10.4 ha.
Frequency of target species: within LACs.
Indicators of quality: all within LAC

Current Status:

UNFAVOURABLE BUT RECOVERING, as of December 2001.

Management Rationale and Projects #

Continuity of growth #

At present, intervention is limited to footpath clearing and some blackthorn scrub clearance.

Active management is needed to revive continuous practices where neglected, in order to ensure plant communities may persist through natural regeneration and promote the full range of woodland biodiversity.

Woodland Birds and mammals require the maintenance of a mixture of age classes. Most species of woodland butterfly depend upon open spaces, including rides, glades and continuity of young growth. Epiphytes, flora and fungi require a continuity of mature trees. Saproxylic invertebrates depend upon dead, dying or living wood. (ash beech, oak, and elm particularly)

Fragmented woodlands, lacking natural populations of large predators and grazers, require human management to mimic natural processes (i.e semi-natural). Three options will be employed to assist natural processes in continuity of young through to old growth, and open spaces: Coppicing, Managed grazing and Thinning (see below for proscriptions).

Vegetation Maps and Compartmental management #

Compartmental management allows for heterogeneous management and maintenance of all phases of local populations; for example, epiphyte lichens could become excessively shaded with relaxation of grazing.

In order to monitor rate and change in performance indicators against baselines it is essential to relate management actions to tree or compartment. Vegetation maps in terms of stand types and structure (including fallen trees), and compartment, will be prepared. Glades, rides, paths, watercourses, rock faces/outcrops and artefacts will be recorded. Actions, using a simple map for each action, will be recorded.

Origins, and past management of the sites may be discovered by reference to earliest OS, and further back in time with bank and ditch maps and pollen analysis records of the woodland seed bank. This project may be linked to schools’ projects.

Monitoring and projects:

Survey structural and species vegetation changes.
Monitor vegetation with photographs from fixed points.
Draw up compartmental maps with planned rotations.

Coppicing Hazel #

Historically, coppicing for smelting of ore from local mines is a possibility. Neglect of coppice leads to the loss of early successional species. Open woodland is required by some birds, such as Pied Flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca). Rotated management maintains continuity in succession. We will cut Hazel on a 15 year rotation.

Operational limits:

Target: Coppice hazel in rotation
Upper limit: 10% of hazel cut per year
lower limit: 5% of hazel cut per year

Monitor/Surveillance:

Survey location of hazel.
Coppice and retain single stem where possible, protecting the stool with brashings.
Layer or replant from seed of local provenance, where neglected stools are lost.

Managed Grazing #

Light grazing by both sheep and goats occurs in both woods, but there is little natural regeneration. Some initial light grazing benefits natural tree regeneration; there will be no more than 1 sheep per acre per year.

Stock will be removed from about 50% of the area within the next 5 years, for a period of at least 5 years, stock-grazing limited to periods of twice annually over five years. This will reduce trampling in nesting and early growth seasons, and promote a varied understorey structure. A fenced compartment for the purpose will be constructed. Effects of stocking rates are poorly understood, and changes in practice will be carefully monitored.

In order to control grazing all boundary and other fences must be maintained in a stock proof condition. Post and rail stock fencing in cleaved local oak is strong and cost effective, and will allow free movement of wild animals.

Concern that goats strip the bark of saplings and so prevent natural regeneration will be examined, and populations controlled accordingly.

Operational limits:

Target 1: periodical grazing= Upper limit.
Upper limits: 2 sheep grazing periods per year in grazed zone.
Lower limit: 1 sheep grazing periods per year in grazed zone.
Target 2 : Density= upper limit
Upper limit: 1 sheep per acre per year.
lower limit: 1 sheep per acre per year (or equivalent).

Monitor/Surveillance, Projects:

Monitor and control presence of wild grazers, including goats.
Inspect and repair all fences.
Establish grazed and un-grazed zones with provision of extra fencing.

Thinning in blocks - Gap creation #

Non-native species of conifer and sycamore are likely to interfere with natural-regeneration of native woodland. Their gradual removal by felling offers an opportunity to aid gap creation, and restore the natural -regenerative capacity of the woodland by allowing light to reach light-demanding seedlings. Spread of Sycamore (Acer psuedoplatanus) will be resisted, as it may disrupt semi-natural communities of trees. However, old sycamore is host to about 40 species of insect associated with elm, thus large old trees may be retained.

Operational limits:

Target 1: No non-native conifers to remain in ten years.
Upper limit: none
Lower limit: none
Target 2: Gradual reduction in density of young sycamore to 1/ha. over ten years.
Upper limit: Remove four sycamore trees per year.
Lower limit: Non set.