Storeton Woods - Higher Bebington
Long term intentions
Storeton Woods is a well used amenity woodland that dominates the sky line close to the villages of Higher Bebington and Storeton, Wirral. It is our long term intention to promote the development of a diversely structured mixed woodland (predominantly native broadleaved) and in particular the regeneration of the high forest canopy. Management will aim to maximise the structural diversity of the wood in terms of age and size classes and to ensure the continuity of canopy cover. The future canopy will contain predominantly oak(pedunculate and sessile) and beech with some Scots Pine, rowan and birch. Invasive non-native trees, shrubs and plants (including sycamore, japanese knotweed and gaultheria) will be controlled to promote greater species diversity in those areas where they are currently dominant. It is not our intention to remove sycamore completely from the wood but instead to reduce its current canopy coverage to only 10% (by stems).
The footpath network will be maintained and certain routes rationalised with a view to controlling erosion and to make pockets of the woodland less easy to visit. Paths will be monitored and a surfaced circular route will be maintained in the long-term. The permissive bridlepath will be maintained and way-marked to encourage riders to keep to the route. However regular reviews of this recreational use will take place to ensure that conflict between riders and walkers is minimised.
Open glade areas will be maintained through periodic cutting to control scrub encroachment and to promote greater variety of wildflowers and grasses. The timing of cuts will be as late as possible to ensure flowering and seeding takes place. The glade to woodland canopy transition wil be maintained through a programme of periodic edge coppicing. Woodland boundaries (including stock fencing and sandstone walls) will be regularly inspected and maintained.
The levels of fallen and standing deadwood will be increased wherever it is safe to do so. Potential future veteran status trees will be recruited, mapped and periodically inspected/ monitored. Due to the relatively young age of the woodland additional artificial nesting sites will be considered.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the local community will be encouraged to continue to play an active part in helping to care for the wood. This will be achieved primarily through the ongoing co-operation and involvement of the Friends of Storeton Woods but also through our Voluntary Warden scheme.
