Aims
- To protect existing woodland habitat and tree coverage
- To secure appropriate management for all woodlands in the borough
- To expand the total woodland area by encouraging new planting and extension of existing woods
- To strengthen the ecological links between wooded areas
- To work with local people to encourage active community participation in improving enjoying and learning about woods and trees
Introduction
A woodland is an area dominated by trees usually occupying a considerable tract of ground. The 'urban forest' includes many smaller copses and groups of trees that have collective value both as a habitat, and as a buffer to noise and other pollution.
Scrub is as an important habitat in its own right, but it is included in this plan as it is a natural stage in the development of woodland. The plan excludes wood pasture and hedgerows, both of which are the focus of individual Habitat Action Plans.
The largest woodlands in the borough are ancient, which is to say they have been continuously wooded for at least 400 years. Much of this ancient woodland was previously managed by coppicing, which produces a distinctive vegetation structure and associated species. Coppiced woods were managed on a rotational cycle whereby part of the wood was cut to ground level for timber, and the shoots allow to re-grow. This ensures a mixed age range within the woodland, and a constant stock of small diameter timber. This periodic cutting allowed light to reach the woodland floor and provided ideal conditions for woodland flora and invertebrates.
The continuous woodland cover over centuries has supplied a constant source of dead wood and ancient woodlands in Waltham Forest support high numbers of dead wood species such as Helops caeruleus, a darkling beetle, and the solitary wasp (Crossocernus megacephalus). Because of its age and management history, this type of woodland is also of historic and archaeological interest.
Secondary Woods are those that have spread naturally on land that was previously cleared for agriculture or built development. Secondary woodland can develop on any uncultivated land with a reasonable amount of organic matter. It will also develop on cleared areas within ancient woodland, for example the areas of relatively recent hawthorn scrub which have developed an areas cleared for food production in Larks Wood during the Second World War.
Wet woodland is that which develops on soils with impeded drainage, usually on river floodplains with willow, elder and alder as the main species. Wet woodland supports large numbers of dead wood species.
Current Status
Total area of woodland in London is estimated at 7300 ha of which 228 ha are estimated to be in Waltham Forest. This figure however includes wood pasture, which is adjacent to, and grades into woodland. Most of the boroughs woodlands lie within the north and east of the borough.
The underlying soils are clay in the central part of the borough, giving way to gravel on higher ground and in the east. The predominant woodland type is W10 oak woodland. Hornbeam occasionally dominates on less base rich soils. Larks wood and Ainslie Wood both contain high numbers of the wild service tree which is usually regarded as being uncommon.
The Corporation of London own and manage much of the boroughs ancient woodlands including Hawkswood, Reservoir Wood, parts of Walthamstow Forest and The Sale, Hatch Grove, Bury Wood, Bluehouse Grove, and Hatch Forest. Areas of ancient woodland owned and managed by the borough include Larks Wood, Ainslie Wood, and parts of Whitehouse Wood.
There are around 70 ha of secondary woodland in the borough, including parts of the White House Estate and large areas of woodland that have developed in formerly open areas of Epping Forest since the decline of grazing.
Smaller areas of this habitat have developed in inaccessible areas such as along railways and behind houses. Although these areas are often neglected they act as important reservoirs and dispersal routes for wildlife, especially those along watercourses and railway lines that transect the borough. The predominant species are sycamore, ash and elm.
The total area of wet woodland is around 4 hectares. These woods are important locally because they contain large amounts of dead wood and their association with water provides habitats not found on dry woodland sites. Wet woodland in Waltham Forest is found mainly in the Lee Valley in Low Hall Wood, Low Hall Flood Meadow, Leyton Flats and Walthamstow Marsh. Parts of the urban forest besides watercourses such as the Dagenham Brook and River Ching share similar characteristics.
Specific factors affecting the habitat
Lack of management
For the last century there has been only limited intervention in many of the boroughs woodlands. This decline in management is primarily a result of diminishing local markets for small timber, and a consequent decline of traditional management practices.
Lack of maintenance has increased competition between trees, so that many of the woodlands are now heavily shaded. This shade has resulted in the decline and absence of wildflowers and other ground flora. Regeneration of new trees is also hampered and similar age trees are dominating woodlands. A lack of active management has also allowed invasive species such as to cherry laurel and sycamore to spread at the expense of native species.
Development pressures
Although larger woodlands are well protected, smaller areas of woodland making up the urban forest are increasingly affected by pressure for new housing and industrial sites. Within residential areas, trees are often affected by demands for off street parking, and trees close to properties are increasingly been removed because of insurance or subsidence fears.
Loss of smaller areas of woodland increases the isolation and fragmentation of woodlands.
Amenity Use
Woodlands have considerable amenity value, providing opportunities to walk, relax, play and watch wildlife. Woodlands can absorb many more people than an open landscape without seeming to be crowded. While amenity use is to be encouraged poorly planned use can damage paths, vegetation and may disturb wildlife. The increase of leisure activities can lead to pressure for car parking space, surfaced paths, and removal of dead wood because of safety concerns.
Dumping is a problem on the periphery of many of the boroughs woodlands. Garden refuse thrown over fences is a fire hazard which detracts from the intrinsic beauty of woodlands and can make them appear neglected.
Pests, disease and invasive species
Non -native species such as sycamore, turkey oak, rhododendron and laurel (a particular problem in White House Woods) can grow so densely they form a near uninterrupted canopy or under-storey shading out ground flora and reducing tree regeneration. Some exotic garden plants can hybridise with native species.
Bark stripping by grey squirrels can cause significant damage to thin barked trees e.g. beech & sycamore, damaging individual trees form and possibly changing the balance of trees species over time. Browsing by rabbits and deer, mainly muntjac, can damage both trees and ground flora.
Dutch Elm Disease has caused major changes in the British landscape in the past. Other diseases such as alder and oak dieback, Sooty Bark Disease of sycamore, and Phytophthora may be more serious problems in the future. Brown Tail Moth (already a seasonal problem in southern parts of the borough) and the Asian Longhorn Beetle are pests that defoliate trees. Although pests and diseases may harm the amenity, (or elsewhere forestry interests) much of the damage is natural and not necessarily harmful to biodiversity.
General Theats
Climate change; the increase in storms may physically damage individual trees and woodland areas; higher summer temperatures and mild winters can influence the distribution of pests and diseases, for example brown tail moth and the Asian longhorn beetle are on the increase.
Poor water quality, change in water levels & flood prevention measures may specifically affect wet woodlands.
Current Action
Legal Status
The value of woodlands is well recognised and larger woodlands are afforded strong legal protection.
Epping Forest is a Candidate Special Area of Conservation, and a Site of Special Scientific Interest. All of the boroughs larger woods are designated as Principle Sites of Nature Conservation Importance in the UDP, whilst most of the smaller sites are designated as Sites of Local Nature Conservation Importance. Ainslie Wood is also designated as a Local Nature Reserve. Smaller areas of the urban forest receive no legal protection.
Some of the more prominent trees within private land have been protected with Tree Preservation Orders. Roost sites of bats and other protected species are protected.
Management and restoration
The council is currently developing a new 4 hectare community woodland at Folly Lane, with over 8000 trees planted in winter 2001/2.
Large amounts of turkey oak (Quercus cerris) and laurel have been removed from the White House Woods, and glades have been created alongside some rides.
Conservation Groups work regularly in Low Hall Wood and Ainslie Wood, primarily clearing paths and litter.
Coppicing is no longer undertaken in woodlands owned by the Council, although it is still undertaken by the Conservators in places such as Bluehouse Grove and Hatch Grove. The Corporation also undertakes management of invasive species, ride management, and scrub management.
Mechanisms targeting the habitat
Waltham Forest lies within the Green Gateway, an initiative encompassing East London Boroughs which aims to increase tree cover and get added value from woodlands. They are currently running a grant scheme for tree planting.
Epping Forest Management Plan covers many of the sites. This is due to be reviewed in 2003. London Biodiversity Partnership has produced a Woodland Habitat Action Plan. Waltham Forest UDP Deposit draft 2002 covers this habitat. Epping Forest is entered into the Woodland Grant Scheme. Waltham Forest Tree Strategy aims to increase the amount of trees within the borough. Waltham Forest has an active Tree Warden Scheme and Young Tree Wardens Scheme.
Key species
Plants- wild service tree (Sorbis torminalis), oak (Quercus robur), bluebell (Hyacinthoides nonscripta), wood anenome (Anenome nemorosa), yellow archangel (Lamiastrum galeobdolon)
Birds - great spotted woodpecker, tree creeper
Invertebrates- speckled wood butterfly (Pararge aegeria), narrow timber beetle (Synchita humeralis), darkling beetle (Helpos caeruleus), purple hairstreak (Quercusia quercus), hedge brown (Pyronia tithonus)
Objectives and long term targets
| Action | Target Date | Lead | Other Partners |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ensure all woodlands have an up to date management plan. | 2004 | NC/TPOC of L | FC |
| Map all woodland areas and woodland types. | 2005 | NC/TPO | WFBAPP |
| Identify veteran trees & pollards - Veteran Tree Survey (English Nature). | 2005 | Tree Wardens OSFG | Hist. Society |
| Action | Target Date | Lead | Other Partners |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enter all woodlands into Woodland Grant scheme | 2004 | LBWF, C of L | FC |
| Begin implementation of management plans | 2004 | LBWF | C of L |
| Create new generation of potential veterans | 2006 | Tree Selection | C of L |
| Action | Target Date | Lead | Other Partners |
|---|---|---|---|
| Create one new community woodland | 2003 | LBWF | LVRP, CH BTCV, Costco |
| Survey areas for new planting around or between existing woodlands | 2005 | Tree Wardens | OSFG |
| Action | Target Date | Lead | Other Partners |
|---|---|---|---|
| Put Tree Preservation Orders on identified veteran trees | 2005 | NC/TPO | |
| Establish liaison with Corporation of London & Lee Valley Regional Park Authority to ensure woodland management is complementary | 2003 | WFBAPP | C of L LVRP |
| Investigate wildlife use of cultivars of native species with a view to use in street tree planting | 2004 | Tree Section | |
| Update borough wide Tree Strategy | 2006 | Tree Section | |
| Promote use of native species as part of the landscaping conditions for new planning applications | 2003 | NC/TPO | Developers |
| Action | Target Date | Lead | Other Partners |
|---|---|---|---|
| Database describing character and extent of woodlands - to be posted on the borough's web page | 2004 | LBWF | |
| Write at least 2 press articles each year and hold 1 woodland action day/ yr | 2003 onward | WFBAPP | |
| Promote and raise profile of boroughs Tree Warden Scheme | 2003 onward | Tree Section | OSFG |
| Ensure at least 1 interpretive event takes place per year in a major woodland | 2003 onward | LBWF | OSFG |
| Publish information on tree management to reduce loss and damage to trees | 2004 | LBWF | |
| Set up friends of Larks and Ainslie Wood as a conduit for community involvement in woodlands | 2004 | LBWF | |
| Put HAP on website | 2003 | LBWF |
