The resurgence of Horse logging
The image of heavy horses plodding through woodland dragging logs is one you might not associate with modern woodland management. However, the craft of traditional horse logging is enjoying a resurgence, as more and more woodland across the UK is being managed with conservation in mind. Marwell Wildlife has put in place plans to restore over 35 hectares of ancient semi-natural woodland and grassland habitat.
In July, Marwell Wildlife brought in a horse logging team from Sussex to remove stacks of larch poles that had been felled last winter. The larch poles – some 60 tons in large piles scattered throughout Horsham Copse – needed moving ready for collection by a timber merchant.
Protecting delicate Flora in our ancient woodland
We took the decision to use horse loggers because Horsham Copse is ancient woodland with delicate flora that has developed over hundreds of years. This flora can easily be damaged by the heavy tractors used by forestry contractors through deep rutting and compaction. Horses, however, cause minimal disturbance to the soil, and this delicate touch means the woodland will rapidly recover.
The horse logging team specialise in working in ancient woodland. They set up camp for a week and used two cobs to haul timber from the woodland interior. Cobs are used in favour of larger horses because their small size makes them manoeuvrable among the trees and they are also very strong.
The larch poles resulted from a felling operation we carried out last winter as part of Marwell’s long-term plan to restore its ancient woodland. One important element of this plan is to remove four hectares of larch, planted in Horsham Copse for economic reasons after the Second World War. Larch is durable, contains natural preservatives and weathers extremely well; so it has a variety of uses. Unfortunately, the plantation was placed in an area of high floral diversity. Larch is not good for ancient woodland because it produces needles rich in tannins which acidify the soil. The ground flora will have been damaged by this process, but a surprising amount still persists and should recover as the Copse is restored to native broadleaf woodland.
Removing trees gradually to encourage regeneration
When removing the larch, we need to be wary of changing conditions too rapidly. The ancient woodland flora has developed over hundreds of years in a fairly dark, damp and stable environment and this must be maintained as much as possible. Accordingly, we will remove the trees gradually. Last winter we removed 40% of larch from across the entire north section of Horsham Copse and this coming winter we plan to do the same again.
This gradual removal also allows native seedlings to grow up in the gaps provided. We’re already witnessing regeneration of ash, cherry and birch, with a hazel understorey developing well. In the coming years it will be necessary to encourage slower growing species such as oak and field maple through some judicious planting.
A home to native and migrating wild birds
Restoration work should benefit a wide range of native wildlife, from woodland flora, to insects and birds. A recent butterfly survey recorded silver washed fritillary for the first time in areas around Marwell, indicating the restoration work is already having a positive effect. Marwell’s woodlands are home to native and migrating wild birds, and we will continue to use traditional woodland management practices, such as coppicing, to further improve the biological diversity of the habitat. We hope that rare birds like the red kite, firecrest and willow tit will then join species already living in the area such as cuckoo, marsh tit, great spotted woodpecker, and song thrush.
Restoration of Marwell’s ancient broadleaf woodland is being funded in part by our own FLIGHT campaign, which was launched in 2010 in response to recent surveys indicating large national declines in native woodland bird numbers.