Wheeldon Copse - Maidens Cross, Alvanley
Site Description
The Woodland Trust has owned and managed woodland on the Frodsham Hill escarpment since 1989 when we first purchased Snidley Moor. Subsequently we have purchased two more woodlands on the hill (namely Woodhouse Hill and Frodsham Hill Wood) along with a 16ha new planting site called Woodhouse Hill Extension in 2001. This site was entered into Jigsaw in 2001. In all we are responsible for the management of over 44ha of woodland/ new planting in this area.
Our overall management aims are as follows:
· To conserve and enhance woodland biodiversity
· To provide opportunities for quiet informal recreation
· To protect and conserve the landscape value of our woodlands
· To produce utilisable timber and other woodland produce where it does not conflict with the above.
It is our intention to make use of the opportunity provided by the purchase of the land at Alvanley Cliff to extend and buffer an existing privately owned block of Ancient Semi-Natural Woodland (ASNW) known as Alvanley Cliff and expand the core area of this important area of woodland. This work will also support the implementation of the Ancient Semi- Natural Woodland Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) for Cheshire.
We plan to deliver this project in partnership with a range of organisations including Landlife, Mersey Forest and Forestry Commission. Methods of woodland creation in lowland England, especially on improved pasture and arable land, are largely dictated by the generally high fertility of these sites and potential noxious weed seed banks. These two factors largely force woodland creation down the route of intensive ground preparation to “clean” sites, high herbicide use and an intensive maintenance regime (e.g. inter-row mowing). There is also the associated need for regimented planting layouts for ease of access and cost effective maintenance operations. The success associated with recruiting natural regeneration or the successful establishment of woodland ground flora through natural colonisation or introductions again tends to be poor due to issues associated with soil fertility. All of these factors also limit the ability of owners to meet the recommendation of Forestry Commission Bulletin 112 in terms of native woodland establishment.
Our proposals for Wheeldon Copse will look at one way to manage these soil fertility issues. This will be achieved through the use of soil inversion and woodland ground flora introduction prior to planting. This approach will be experimental and innovative but be based on current best practise being developed by Landlife (within their DEFRA funded Break New Ground soil inversion project). In summary it is our intention to introduce woodland wildflower seed at an early stage in the programme whilst at the same time reducing herbicide inputs into the land. In order to do this we will carry out deep ploughing in appropriate locations to invert at least the top 75cm of soil (where conditions allow). The layout of the planting will then follow the recommendation of FC Bulletin 112 in terms of planting layout and spacing. Lying adjacent to Ancient Semi-Natural Woodland (Alvanely Cliff) this site will also allow, through the creation of natural regeneration strips, an assessment of any benefits that deep ploughing may provide in terms of producing condition more favourable for natural regeneration and colonisation. The potential for reducing herbicide inputs will also be examined.
Alvanley Cliff lies on the sandstone ridge running across the County of Cheshire. It is an Ancient Semi-Natural Woodland (English Nature Inventory) and in private ownership. It is now entered into a Woodland Grant Scheme. Part of the neighbouring arable field to the east of the site is also likely to be entered into the Jigsaw Challenge. This will be contiguous with Wheeldon Copse. Wheeldon Copse and Alvanley Cliff are prominent landscape features in this part of Cheshire.
Looking west across the site (with ASNW in the distance).
The Woodland Trust conducted a site survey over the months of December 2000 and January 2001. This was clearly not the ideal time for implementing such work but the following observations were made. Wheeldon Copse lies on the dip slope of the Frodsham Hill escarpment just over 2 miles from the village of Frodsham and about a mile from the village of Alvanley.
The soils are free draining, thin acidic sands with a substrata consisting of sedimentary sandstone. This rises to the surface at one or two points across the site. The existing vegetation comprises predominantly arable weeds including creeping thistle, ragwort, nettle, and dock with pockets of rye grass, clover, bramble and bracken. The perimeter field boundaries and less disturbed ground contain remnant wildflower populations of red campion, greater knapweed and foxglove. A total area of 7.49ha (18.5 acres) has been managed as rough pasture. Many of the original internal boundaries have been removed but there are some sections of hawthorn hedge with dry-stone revetment wall remaining. The grassland has been reseeded periodically over the years and along with the characteristic described above is categorised as improved grassland. As such there are no known ecological constraints to the planting of the site.
Remnant field boundaries and existing seed sources
During the acquisition process Dr Jill Collens of Cheshire County Council brought an archaeological feature (Monument Record) to our attention. A “flint scatter” was recorded some years ago during previous archaeological study of the site. We are unclear as the extent of this feature or its significance/ importance in a regional context. For this reason we plan to instruct a field walk from an independent archaeological consultant (Ron Cowell from Liverpool Museum). Our findings will be presented to Cheshire County Council in March/ April 2003. It is possible that we may have to amend the draft design to reflect the outcome of this work in particular the areas suitable for soil inversion and/or planting.
The woodland design aims to reflect and compliment the significant amount of woodland surrounding the site whilst at the same time ensuring that key viewpoints are retained and enhanced where possible.
Views will be retained across the surrounding open countryside
The new woodland will cover around 80%of the site with open ground (20%) being retained where it will be of value to the internal landscape, the biodiversity of the site, the features of archaeological interest and constraints imposed by the overhead power line way-leave. These areas of open ground will be seeded with low vigour grass species and managed through periodic/ differential cutting to control scrub development and to maintain high quality public access.
Overhead power way-leave (30m) to be used within open ground component
Woodland creation will aim to reflect the local woodland character and National Vegetation Classification W16 (oak-birch) found in the ASNW that adjoins the site. Acid oak/birch woodland will be created in the long term using natural regeneration where possible or planting with trees of local provenance (302 or neighbouring) where this proves to be unsuccessful. Our aim will be to create a dynamic new habitat with pockets of open ground within large unevenly spaced planting blocks.
In the summer of 2003 those areas outlined in the plan for tree planting or natural regeneration will be treated with herbicide (boom treatment with glyphosate). The entire site (excluding areas of significant archaeological interest) will be deep ploughed using the Landlife Danish plough.
The plough will invert at least the top 75-90cm of soil and it is anticipated that this will have an impact upon soil fertility and arable weed viability in the surface layer. It is anticipated that the inverted top soil will help to retain sub-surface moisture thereby aiding tree establishment.
The land will then be harrowed to a fine tilth and drilled with cornfield annuals (corn marigold, corn cockle, cornflower, corn poppy). The intention of this will be help to suppress invasive arable weeds including creeping thistle and slow soil erosion processes. At the same time low densities of native woodland wildflower seed will be sown (including bluebell, cow parsley, foxglove, wood avens). It may be necessary to carry out spot treatments with appropriate herbicide during the open canopy/ground phase of the establishment period (contingency sums are set aside for this). The success of this introduction will be monitored and further sowings/ seed harvesting and dispersal will take place in subsequent years in partnership with Landlife and local volunteers.
To support the success of the flora and tree establishment (in particular the natural regeneration area) three boundaries of the site will be rabbit fenced.
Natural regeneration will also be promoted in approximately 2.45ha of the site. This area was chosen specifically as it is contiguous with Alvanley Cliff ASNW. It is anticipated that silver/downy birch and rowan will colonise the area in advance of oak. It may be necessary to supplement the natural regeneration areas to achieve full stocking density (1100 stems/ha) and diversity. Additional contract grown planting stock will be reserved for this purpose. To this end a series of community led seed collection/ sowing events will be organised during autumn of 2003 and 2004.
Fixed- point photography/ fixed transect posts will be installed to assist with future monitoring work.
The new planting will occur in 3.5ha of the site and will follow the basic principles outlined in bulletin 112. Our intention will be to create lowland oak-birch woodland NVC W16. This will take the form of uneven spacing of single specie blocks (groups of 10-50) from 0.5m centres up to 3.5m centres whilst retaining a stocking density of 2250 stems per hectare. We will also retain a number of mini-glades within the planting blocks themselves. Trees will be protected with 0.75m Standard Tubex shelters and 0.6m Tubex shrub shelters.
The planted trees and shrubs will be entered into a 5-year planting and maintenance contract and then into an annually let Estate Maintenance Contract (EMC). It is anticipated that spot treatment of the young trees will not be necessary (however a contingency sum has been set aside for this). Plantation maintenance will take place regularly over this period and any losses replaced to achieve agreed stocking density/ composition. Regular maintenance will include boundary inspections, litter control, repairs to fixtures such as gates/ signs and the cutting of rides on an annual basis. Noxious weeds (notably Ragwort) will be controlled where they are likely to affect plantation establishment. This will involve a combination of spot treatment (with an approved herbicide) and hand weeding.
The land previously offered no public access. Access will be created for pedestrian use on informal mown footpaths. In all approximately 800m of new access will be created on the site. Seating will be provided at two key viewpoints and visitors are welcome signs installed at the main entrances. This will provide suitable opportunity for the promotion of the Jigsaw Challenge, Landlife and also Mersey Forest. The site will be promoted through our own website and “Sites Directory”.
A management plan will be prepared for the site within 12 months of the contract being signed.
The support and involvement of local people will be actively encouraged. This will be achieved through a series of local events including seed collection (on neighbouring land) and tree planting days. This work will build upon the active community network and experience that we have developed through the Woodhouse Hill Extension Jigsaw Challenge project. We shall aim to appoint at least two Voluntary Wardens for this new site.
