Skipton Woods - Skipton

Long term intentions

The woodland will be managed as high forest. Compartments designated as Ancient and Semi-Natural Woodland , which contain a variety of non-native species will be managed with minimum intervention. Much of the woodland due to the improved permissive access has little public pressure and often contain the steeper slopes and quarried areas. . It is expected that ash and birch regeneration will dominate in these areas over the beech and sycamore. Replanted Ancient Woodland areas have had a coniferous element since at least 1910, although much was replanted in the 1960's. The conifers should be considered as an integral part of the site, and through long term retention of small areas and specimen trees, this will reflect the sites management history. The management of this area will be minimum intervention, having been thinned in 1992/3 , the reduction in canopy and conifer element has enabled the ancient woodland indicator species of ground flora to recover and also providing ample space for the regeneration of ash and birch, which are the most prolific species along with oak and rowan and an understorey of elder and holly. Minimum intervention and hence the long term retention of some of the conifer will eventually provide standing deadwood.

Informal public access is an integral part of the woodland. This will be maintained as a high priority in the development of the woodland.

Watercourses are the responsibility of the Castle and will be maintained in a working order as an important part of the castle, woodland and town's historical development.