Snape with Thorp Parish Council
Playing Field Committee
Proposal for the
Creation of Woodland Area
Introduction
Following on from the previous meetings and site visit a further inspection of the site has been carried out to look more closely at the layout, state of the hedge, ground conditions etc. Further information on the planting of trees and the creation of wildflower areas has been obtained from relevant bodies.
The proposal being made represents a first phase of a total possible site development. At this stage, however, no further contact has been made with other parties, such as the local schools, regarding this potential use. Notwithstanding this, the proposed phase stands on its own merits and is not dependant on any future requirements. The future can be left for the later discussions if deemed desirable.
The overall vision is for this area to include an improved mixed hedgerow, some copse type planting with a mixture of trees, underplanted with woodland spring bulbs, and a summer wildflower meadow. Please refer to the outline plan for a schematic view of the area. (Note, that although this is to scale regarding overall size of the plot the precise positions of the planting will be determined once all plants are obtained.)
The Hedgerow
The wildlife significance of hedgerows cannot be overestimated. They provide a valuable environment for a number of creatures, both for their shelter and food. Given suitable planting they can also provide an attractive visual amenity value.
The current hedge needs some maintenance and is sparce in patches. Tidying this up and boosting the planting with a variety of species will enhance this aspect of the plot. Existing boundary trees will of course be left in place, with the possibility of a little tidy-up pruning.
It is proposed that the new planting is not done in a strict rectilinear fashion but in a way to create a more naturalistic feel and make any perimeter pathway more interesting.
It is noted that when planting up hedges this is done in a much denser way than open woodland and thus takes relatively more tree per given area/length.
Tree Copses
As the plan shows we propose three areas of trees.
One would be purely Hazel to create an area that could be coppiced on a cycle of a few years. This would provide both a different habitat for wildlife and flowers and an interesting activity for children/adults, producing valuable material for creating structures or gardening materials.
Two areas with a mixture of native trees are proposed. The precise mix of the trees is to be determined but would be taken from the Woodland Trust’s Year-Round Colour and Wild Harvest Collections. These collections would give us a good variety comprising hazel, blackthorn, crab apple, elder, dog rose, rowan, hawthorn, dogwood, wild cherry, silver birch. These areas would be underplanted with woodland bulbs, e.g. snowdrops, aconites, wild garlic, bluebells and daffodils.
The Wildflower Meadows
A large area is to be given over to the establishment of wildflower areas, mainly as a main meadow feature but also potentially on the edges of the woods and hedgerow. Plants to be included would include common knapweed, ragged robin, different species of buttercup, tormentil (in short grass), species of sedges, betony, devil’s bit scabious, daisies and other species for neutral or acid meadows, full sun or dappled shade. Some work will need to be done to create the correct growing conditions and this is outlined in the plan later. In particular, some initial scarifying and planting of yellow rattle will be needed to reduce and weaken the grass cover.
Phase 1 Plan
The initial period for the main work for this phase is summer 2022 to autumn 2023. Depending on how quickly the various areas get established this period may need to be extended.
The proposal is to order in the spring, as soon as possible after 4th April, the free tree collections as mentioned above. These would be delivered in the autumn as whips with spiral guards and canes. We have been advised that using whip planting throughout enables faster development and reduces competition between new and more mature trees. These two collections would allow for a mixed hedgerow, the hazel coppice and the two mixed copses.
The bulb underplanting of these areas would commence once the trees are in place and may extend into the spring. It is noted that this aspect does not need to be completed in one fell swoop and can be added to as the years go by.
The maintenance work on the hedge can commence during the summer.
By spreading yellow rattle this year, it will reduce the vigour of the grass in future years, giving the flowers more of a chance. Wildflower seeds need to be planted in bare earth to stand a chance of surviving so scarifying/harrowing will be needed.
As a wildflower and grassland meadow generally has quite a high nutrient value we are advised to cut the grass twice a year - once in March/April, but also in August/September (after the wildflowers have flowered and seeded) and remove the cuttings to reduce the nutrient value.
Next year more flower varieties would be added.
Costs
By selecting the specific tree collections this has avoided the need to buy any individual trees. All trees will be supplied with guards and canes. Some material for mulching round the saplings would be desirable. Chipped bark would be ideal and sourcing free of charge from a local wood yard or tree surgeon will be sought.
It has not been possible yet to determine exact costings for flower bulbs/seeds as the numbers have not yet been determined. We believe the funds required for bulbs and seeds could easily be raised by the subcommittee through donations and a few fund-raising events if necessary. We would also suggest that there are local gardeners willing to donate a significant number of snowdrops.
In the first year we would only intend to get yellow rattle established in the
meadow area. Seeds retail at about £32 per 100 grams.
All labour would be coordinated by the subcommittee via volunteers.
We cannot foresee any maintenance or health and safety costs to this phase of
the proposal.
Future Phases
Future activities related to this phase may involve further improvements to the meadow and other flower planting. It is not expected that any significant maintenance activity concerning the trees will be required for several years. Even then, it will be relatively simple tasks such guard removal and maybe some thinning out.
Future developments will require their own investigation and approval. These developments could range from simply introducing some suitable seating through to creating a more comprehensive Forest Classroom type facility.
One issue outside of this proposal that the Parish Council may wish to consider is accessibility to the site.