Millook Valley Woods - Millook Valley, Poundstock nr Bude
Long term intentions
It is intended to maintain the wood as a predominantly oak woodland by controlling the more invasive non-native species to a level where they should not have a major effect on the woodland structure. Access limitations, the diversity of the soils and woodland structure, sensitivity of the lower plants to disturbance, felling and pollution, the historically low intensity of management and this timeless atmosphere the woods will be managed with limited intervention. Past management plans indicated the need to try to control the colonisation of sycamore and recent work has undertaken some action to target natural regeneration especially in the conservationally sensitive valley bottoms. The non-native species control fits with current revised policy because it does not seek to eradicate it and does accept it as a species in the successional and encroaching parts of the wood - It does though seek to reduce its succession in the conservationally sensitive areas of the valley and in areas where the secondary woodland is highly representative of the ancient woodland so that AW ground flora species could migrate if light conditions allow. These sycamore control operations are likely to be quite intensive in the early years, but once at a manageable level it should be possible to manage the woodland under a minimal intervention regime. After that point it may be possible for the wood to develop as a predominantly native species broadleaved woodland within its natural processes. Some singling of coppice stems, and or group felling to promote growth of retained trees into mature specimens, to help remove larger groups of non-natives or encourage localised natural regeneration may be used in the future. During any operations necessary to control sycamore regeneration and the likely need to remove seed trees this may also be provided at the same time. Sycamore will not and cannot be eradicated from the valley, but targeted control can help to slow down its colonisation of the woodland while allowing the oak to increase its canopy density. Boundary fences will be maintained to minimise stock intrusions.
The meadow will be managed, preferably by grazing, or by annual cut and removal to maintain the floristically rich sward as it also plays an important role as wood edge habitat/foraging area for local wildlife. As regular grazing has proved difficult in the past mowing may be the only option available, however, with the past history of grazing in Trebarfoote wood extending the grazed area into the woodland may be a possibility for the future if a grazier can be found.
Public access is provided by the network of public footpaths that cross the site. These will be maintained according to our legal duties and to maintain the current levels of access for local and occasional visitors to the area and coastal footpath, but further enhancement by provision of interpretation, new paths etc will be detrimental to the wood and therefore not undertaken.
