Great Knott Wood - Lakeside, Windermere
Long term intentions
The Woodland Trust is committed to public access, to prevent the loss of ancient woodland and to restoring all non-native conifer Planted Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWS) in its ownership. Over the next 50-year period there are three key features that will focus management; to conserve the remnant ancient woodland components within Great Knott Wood and enhance their long-term viability and to safeguard the existing environmental value of the wood and to maintain the public access to the woodland in line with Trust corporate objectives.
Key Feature: Ancient Semi Natural Woodland
From the initial survey work of Great Knott Wood (34hectares) 11.68 hectares has been categorised as secure functioning semi-natural ancient woodland and the long term aim is to perpetuate the ancient woodland with the natural uneven aged high forest structure typical of upland oakwoods ensuring no further loss of the ancient woodland occurs. It is anticipated over the long term this are of upland high forest oakwood will maintain its current uneven aged composition. Veteran trees and standing and fallen deadwood will be retained, where safe to do so. In line with the Trust’s Native Species policy, naturalised species of sycamore and beech are deemed an acceptable part of the canopy mix. Regeneration of conifers will be controlled to prevent further loss of the ancient woodland.
Key Feature: Planted Ancient Woodland
In practice ecological restoration will direct the current PAWS ecosystem dominated by Norway spruce and Sitka spruce (70%) along a desired trajectory to resemble semi-natural upland oak woodland; the reference ecosystem. Firstly by securing the ancient woodland components that have been identified as still present in the spruce stands; these include woodland specialist ground flora, precursor and veteran trees, deadwood and archaeological features. Restoration will be gradual creating conditions in which surviving ancient woodland components can recover, postponing the most disturbing management until they are more resilient. This will include opening up flora along shaded footpaths and along the small streams in the wood as well as releasing mature trees currently being shaded out by the surrounding conifers.
Secondly by incrementally improving stand conditions for woodland specialists and natural regeneration to occur. Some of this work is likely to occur in the larger blocks of spruce where the remnant ancient woodland components are in very low densities.
From the initial survey work 7.67 hectares is categorised as critical with the ancient woodland components needing immediate and sensitive restoration. The remaining 14.92 hectares requires incremental improvement to enhance conditions.
The desired optimum condition over this time is likely to resemble predominantly native high forest canopy composition found in surrounding upland oakwood. It is likely that conifers will remain scattered throughout the wood.
It is important though that the priority of conserving and enhancing the ancient woodland value remains foremost and dictates the need for restoration. In practice, management decisions will need to respond to conditions within the wood and continual site assessment will be required.
Key Feature: Informal Public Access
The Trust will maintain and enhance the extensive network of paths to allow quiet, informal recreation. It is anticipated that in the long term the look and feel of the access will be similar to today with improved signage and interpretation within the wood. It is desirable to create an additional circular route within the wood.
The Trust will promote the woodland amongst people in the region and members nationally, so that local users and visitors to the area can continue to share in its beauty, gain an understanding of the woodlands importance in the landscape, the need for restoration and its rich wildlife habitat, which is irreplaceable. Promotion of the wood and the restoration work to a wider audience as an educative tool is also desirable.
