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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