The Pinewoods - Woodhall Spa

Long term intentions

Long term, the Pinewoods will be managed for the continued enjoyment of visitors and for their continued informal recreation within a high forest. Paths will be maintained so as to allow easy access around designated routes whilst open access will be maintained. Tree safety will be an ongoing issue with high visitor usage, roads and domestic properties bordering the compartments. Visitor information is currently being provided, outlining the woodlands past and the Trusts future intentions.

Silviculturally, there is a need to diversify the age structure and bring about regeneration other than birch and some rowan. There is some regeneration of oak and ash where gaps have occurred in the tree canopy due to storm damage. This growth should be sufficient to effectively re-stock the woodland in the long term; but management will be needed to reduce weed competition (including birch and rowan) for this to be really successful. Scots pine are unlikely to regenerate easily and it is debatable whether they have a place in the woodland if it were proven to be Ancient Semi-Natural. In this event, the pines were a relatively recent introduction, albeit giving rise to the current name. Local liaison and understanding may need to be sought to debate this. Other exotic trees will be managed to the end of their natural life but are unlikely to be replaced with anything other than native trees.