Woodland Creation FAQs

Woodland Creation in the Lake District FAQs

Please click on the questions bellow for the answers:

Individual Trees

Why is it important to consider Biodiversity in the Lake District?

Priority Habitats are habitats which are considered of principal importance for conserving our biodiversity.  Priority habitats and species are under pressure across England and the Lake District. Planting and/or encouraging natural regeneration of trees and woodland helps to increase biodiversity.

Top biodiversity factors to consider in the Lake District:

  1. Almost 20% of the Lake District National Park area is designated for its biodiversity value. Check with Natural England to see if your land is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) or has another environmental designation to ensure your plans are appropriate to conserve special features on site.
  2. Where possible, design your project to include the creation of wildlife corridors to link a mosaic of habitats together helping species to move across the landscape.

Key Lake District woodland habitats and species to consider, link to and create opportunities for include:

  • Ancient semi-natural woodlands, including Atlantic oak rainforests and wood-pasture (including remnants).
  • Lichen and bryophytes depend on long term, continuity of woodland cover and management to thrive
  • Red squirrel habitat - they prefer trees with smaller seeds with lower calorific values, such as the seeds of coniferous trees like pines or broad-leaved trees like alder.  Creating habitats suitable for species such as goshawk, and pine marten may boost populations through the predation of grey squirrels Birds – ensure woodland habitat is managed to provide an understory that supports insect larvae to increase food supplies for Pied flycatcher (numbers halved since 1995), Willow Tit (declined by 91% since 1970), Wood warbler (Priority Species), Goshawk.

Key Lake District non-woodland species to consider and create opportunities for on edge and open space habitats include:

  • Juniper and scrub habitat
  • Peatland habitats, butterwort
  • Butterflies – pearl-bordered fritillary

Guidance links:

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Why is it important to consider Climate Change in the Lake District?

The Lake District is vulnerable to climate change and needs to lower its carbon emissions. Establishing trees and woodlands has a significant role to play in removing carbon from the atmosphere and adapting the Lake District landscape to the effects of climate change. Choosing species and woodland designs resilient to current and future climate change should be at the core of new woodland creation.

Top Climate Change factors to consider:
  • Choose a diverse range of tree and shrub species that are adapted to the forecast climate for the Lake District to give your project long-term resilience and help ensure you can deliver your stated management objectives.
  • Consider natural colonisation for native woodlands creation. Natural regeneration is suitable where seed trees are present to maintain local genetics and resilience and that vegetative competition and the pressure of browsing and grazing animals can be controlled throughout establishment.
  • All woodlands have the ability to sequester carbon, but productive woodlands also help lock up carbon in timber products and help offset the use of carbon ‘heavy’ alternatives such as concrete in house building and plastics in packaging, or heating oil.  All woodland types can be productive and a diverse woodland with mixture of species can offer different products opportunities.

Guidance links

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Why is it important to consider the Historic Environment in the Lake District?

The historic environment of the Lake District comprises the irreplaceable physical evidence of past human activity. It connects people with places, and with traditions, stories and memories linked to those places and includes archaeological sites, historic landscapes, industrial sites, buildings and settlements. Tree planting should seek to protect and enhance the historic environment and the stories it tells.

Top Historic Environment factors to consider in the Lake District:

Contact the Lake District National Park Authority to check the Lake District Historic Environment Record for your site - archaeology@lakedistrict.gov.uk.

Where you have Historic Environment features allow plenty of space to conserve and showcase them.

Do not only consider historic environment features in isolation but also how they relate to each other and the landscape around them (setting).

Seek advice in relation to nationally designated heritage assets. For scheduled monuments seek the views of Historic England and for Registered Parks & Gardens you should contact the Gardens Trust.

Existing guidance / links:

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Why is it important to consider landscape in the Lake District?

The Lake District’s landscape is spectacular and subtle. Every valley is distinctive. The integration and transition between woodland, trees and other vegetation cover is a key characteristic in the Lake District and should be carefully considered in woodland design.

Top landscape factors to consider:

  • The English Lake District World Heritage Site (WHS) is an important part of the historical character and cultural values of the National Park – Woodland and tree projects should be designed and managed to take account of the WHS. You will need to complete an assessment of potential impact upon the WHS as part of the EIA (Forestry) screening. Please contact your local Forestry Commission (FC) Woodland Creation Officer for more details on how to do this. You may also find it helpful to refer to the UNESCO Guidance and Toolkit for Impact Assessments in a World Heritage Context.
  • Where fencing or other tree protection methods are used, carefully consider where they are placed in the landscape to avoid impacts such as hard visual lines in the transition between woodland, trees and other land uses.  If it is temporary fencing is there a plan and budget to have it removed?
  • Consider where woodlands and trees may have been in the past and in what form. Early engagement with an FC Woodland Officer or Land Use Adviser is advised as they can support you in understanding historic woodland extent in your area. You could also consider how your project could enhance the historical character of the national park through restoration of traditional land management practices including woodland industries and mixed grazing.
  • The Lake District has many famous and iconic views. Woodland and tree planting may have some impact on these views, or indeed have potential to block views from important viewpoints.  Consider these in your project design to minimise any such impacts.

Existing guidance / links

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Why is it important to consider people when establishing trees and woodland in the Lake District?

The Lake District is a world class visitor destination where access and commons rights are important to people and heritage.  Tree planting and establishment must safeguard existing access rights and, where possible, enhance high quality and unique experiences for visitors and residents.

Top people factors to consider in the Lake District:

  • Be aware of public rights of way, common land and land that is open access under Countryside Rights of Way Act (2000).  Check Defra MAGIC (and other links below) to understand what public rights of way there may be that will influence your project design.
  • Consider if your project can create new or improve existing access.  Think about how people could connect with nature and the landscape through recreation, education or volunteering opportunities.
  • Leave a clear buffer along footpaths or bridleways to allow for future tree growth, minimising the need for clearing overgrown public access (landowner’s responsibility).
  • Ensure any fencing on open access land has gates to allow access on any path or desire line.
  • New fences and gates may need permission from the LDNPA or the Secretary of State (>2km in length). See guidance link below.
  • The Local Access Forum is a key stakeholder to engage with for tree and woodland projects.  Where your project has public access seek their input and advice.

Guidance / links:

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Why is it important to consider soils in the Lake District?

Healthy soil is fundamental to the successful establishment of trees and a functioning ecosystem.  In the Lake District soils are often vulnerable to erosion.  Well designed and managed woodland and trees can help protect soils and the carbon it contains.  Minimise soil disturbance and compaction during establishment or encourage natural colonisation.

Top things to consider in the Lake District:

Assess the soil on your site to determine whether woodland is appropriate, and inform your woodland and tree establishment method and tree species choice. Forest Research’s Ecological Site Classification is a useful tool.

If possible, take steps to enhance soil organic matter and encourage fungi network development and other soil wildlife at an early stage to support tree establishment.

Soil compaction can be a challenge to tree rooting where land has been compacted by livestock and machinery traffic over a long period of time – consider the need to break-up compaction by sub-soiling where necessary.

Otherwise, keep soil disturbance to a minimum at all stages of woodland creation and management to minimise release of carbon, and protect the soil ecosystem, eg by minimising cultivation and planning low-impact, efficient extraction routes using appropriate machinery.

Guidance links

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Why is it important to consider water in the Lake District?

Water in the Lake District, from its famous lakes to the smallest beck, is a vital element of what makes the national park special. All woodland creation proposals should aim to contribute to improving water environments, for example by reducing nutrient run-off and slowing the flow of flood waters.

Top things to consider in the Lake District:

All water catchments in the Lake District are vulnerable to pollution. Positioning new woodlands across slopes or beside rivers can help to intercept overland flow and reduce nutrient and sediment run-off.

Riparian (river-side) planting is important as it provides shade for water courses. Dappled shade helps to keep rivers cool in a warming climate which is beneficial for lots of species and also helps prevent algal blooms from developing.

With climate change disruption, the frequency and severity of flooding is increasing. Investigate ways your project can include or be a part of natural flood management solutions to help slow the flow? Does your woodland proposal avoid negative impacts on existing water storage features?

Consider your tree protection approach carefully near water courses. Take particular care with use of tree-shelters to avoid wash out and loss of these into rivers in storms and flood events.

Guidance links:

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