By spring 2016, the coppice stumps had started to sprout and a proper line of sight was reestablished for the footpath running east to west with some more trimming. As this path is also the widest point across the plot, it will also function as access for periodic work such as the coppice cycle to be established.
However, a significant scope of work this year is to turn this path into a functional 'green corridor' for wildlife.
At first (and during the first winter), it may appear brutal lanfscaping and a little bare.
Coppice cutting of the trees mainly on the east half of the path has taken place, to give around 6 metres width, within days barn owls were sweeping silently along its length, as well as hares being visible early mornings.
The coppice stumps will grow back along the path sides with bushy growth and give a varied height profile along the length of the path edges.
As each side of the path will have different light profiles (south side shaded by trees, north side edge of the path having warmer sun), this will give a varied habitat opportunity for wildlife and grasses and wild flowers.
The south side of the footpath has seen the start of a scrape ditch which will be partly shaded and hopefully good for amphibians and plants liking damp ground. The pathway will be an ongoing project well into 2017. Some reseeding with meadow grasses and appropriate native wild flowers to be done.
Although a straight line, the grass to the sides of the path will be mown alternately in sweeping patches to enhance habitat diversity along a woodland edge.
A section of the roadside hedge has been layed,
with more to be done as time and the seasons of the year allow. (With thanks to North Wales Wildlife Trust hosting a hedgelaying training day as part of their wider Wrexham Industrial Estate projects).
The end of 2016 welcomes a new neighbour to the other side of the south boundary hedge and ponds, already a good working and communicative start.
Meanwhile in the village, the combination of a 'Sold' sign and a pair of replacement gates at the roadside has caused some concern and speculation regarding a housing development!
One villager took the trouble to come and ask what was happening here, they were unware I had been managing the plot for over 2 years - I'm not yet convinced that spurious rumours and concerns have been put to rest, as another villager mentioned the same incorrect development assumptions. (The convenants in my property deeds make any such development unlikely).
People are welcome to get in touch and arrange a site visit to discuss habitat and tree management 'work in progress' - meanwhile I'll be putting a couple of laminated notices along the path so that people can understand what the various workscopes and wildlife benefits are...
As a young woodland with trees planted around 11 years ago, some thinning is necessary, chainsaws will be heard and particularly with the coppice area, some open spaces will appear before the stumps resprout with new growth.
