Southwood is a small wood in the Taw Valley, North Devon whose owners aim to improve its bio-diversity.

Southwood is on a steep hill on the sides of the Taw valley. South-facing with quite heavy, clay soil it is predominantly oak that appears to have colonised a previously cleared stretch of woodland about 60 years ago. The trees are densely packed, which means that there is little lateral growth and a high canopy that excludes a lot of light from reaching the woodland floor. Along with the oak there is occasional ash, beech, hazel and birch but they are generally struggling to compete.

Rhododendron had invaded more than 50% of the wood, but has now largely been eliminated with the help of a grant from Countryside Stewardship. Holly has also invaded and there is still virtually no under-storey due to the lack of light and to vigorous competition from the invasive species. The central part of the wood was 30% thinned in 2018 and we are just beginning to see what a difference this can make. The wood has a Spring that supplies water to the local hamlet of Kingford and its overflow feeds a new, small pond. There is a track through the wood that is adequate for 4x4 and a network of paths is being developed. A new track that can provide access for a compact tractor is planned in the East side of the wood.

https://www.kingfordmill.uk/ 

 

These are our key aims over the next ten years based on our woodland management plan:

  • The primary aim for Southwood is to achieve an increase in its Biodiversity. At the end of the first TEN years, we would hope to see:
  • Good progress towards greater plant diversity; with a wide range of habitats and food sources available throughout the year; with a thriving and diverse wildlife supported by targeted encouragement. Four or more veteran trees will have been identified and supported.
  • A pond fed by the springs in the wood will form a particularly important habitat. 
  • The current dominance of skinny, sixty-year old oak will have been reduced and there will be progress with modification of its age structure.
  • Southwood already has other species of native broadleaf trees, including beech, alder, silver birch, and ash, which will be encouraged and some hazel coppice woodland will be re-established.
  • Invasive species, in particular rhododendron will have been eliminated as a threat to the wood's ecology and holly will have been reduced.
  • Deer and grey squirrel will the subjects of management plans in order to minimise the potential damage they can do to young trees and wildlife. 
  • There will be a modest output of a limited range of woodland products, primarily bio-charcoal derived in the first place from the rhododendron, and wood fuel.
  • To facilitate work and access into the wood for work, recreational, and educational purposes, a network of pathways and tracks will have been developed along with appropriate facilities and equipment.
  • To support the wood's development and inform the work being done, a network of experienced people and training resources will be established.

 

The Charcoal Project

Rhododenron is an invasive plant that poisons the soil, excludes light for other species and creates ideal soil conditions for phytophtera ranorum which is deadly to larch and sweet chestnut in particular. The Forestry Commission is keen to see efforts by landowners to stop its spread. Traditionally the Commission have required the cleared rhododendron to be burned, but the toxic fumes make this both unpleasant for those doing it and a potential nuisance for the neighbours.

A New Approach

Turning rhododendron into charcoal is way to capture the main carbon elements of the plants and recycle it rather than simply burning it. However, the temperature of a traditional steel kiln for charcoaling is not quite hot enough to burn off all the toxic elements within the wood. The recent development of retorts for charcoaling solves this problem as a retort reaches higher temperatures, creating purer charcoal or Biochar which can be safely used for cooking or as a fertiliser. In 2020 we acquired a Hookway retort and we are on our way to becoming a market leader in rhododendron recycling!

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