David White MICFor

Field Manager, East Midlands

The Importance of Operational Planning

The best laid plans of mice and men gang aft a-gley

• You have carried out your initial planning gathering site information to guide the design of the woodland.

• What is required to turn aspirations into trees on the ground?

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Getting it right on the ground

• If the scheme is grant aided read the contract and stick to the design that you have agreed.

• With intricate designs mark out what goes where on the ground, using canes and/or paint.

• Are planting lines going to be scored to show location of planting lines?

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Ground preparation

• Ground preparation can be minimal.

• Consider plant placement around scarifying and ripping sites.

• Is there any pre-planting weed control required?

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Care of trees

• You have purchased top quality plants for the job so ensure they are treated with respect all the way through the process (including in storage).

• Is the weather suitable for planting?

• Be mindful of planting depth.

• If contractors or farm staff are planting the trees do they know how to handle trees sensitively and plant correctly?

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Tree protection

• Don’t just throw up any old shelter around the trees!

• What does the protection method need to achieve?

• If the scheme is grant aided does the protection method proposed meet the scheme rules?

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Tree protection

• Will fencing be used to protect the trees? If so, what specification and who will erect the fence?

• Will a mulch be used rather that other forms of weed control and if so is it fit for purpose?

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Contingency planning

• What are the plans if site conditions mean planting should be postponed?

• Will postponing impact on budget planning or grant claim deadlines?

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Weed control

• A well thought out weed control programme is essential to ensure quick and successful establishment of trees.

• This is particularly important with the afforestation of fertile ex-agricultural sites.

• Is your weed control programme UKFS-compliant?

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Monitoring the site

• Ensure the site is checked regularly.

• Is more weed control required, are the shelters effective and do they require maintenance, is beating up required?

• If you have used fencing to protect the trees is this inspected and maintained?

• Share experiences with others.

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Scheduled maintenance

• Are you going to carry out any formative pruning?

• When will you remove tree shelters?

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Longer term maintenance

• Consider the changes in the local deer population and how this could impact on the woodland.

• Think about grey squirrel control.

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To sum up

• Planting the trees is the easy part. The long-term future and profitability often rests outside the control of the original scheme developer.

• When implementing a woodland creation project, remember the importance of proper planning.

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Eucalyptus pauciflora

Taxodium distichum

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