Week 1- The Arborist with Jim Quaife of Quaife Woodlands Lecture

An Introduction to Arboriculture, Woodland Establishment, and Management in the UK

The management and establishment of woodlands is a vital component of preserving biodiversity, combatting climate change, and enhancing local communities' recreational and ecological value. In the UK, where natural woodlands are rare, understanding the processes and principles behind arboriculture is increasingly important.

Woodlands in the UK and Beyond

As of 2021, woodland covers just 13% of the UK’s land area. Comparatively, Europe has seen significant losses to its ancient woodlands, with places like Białowieża National Park (spanning 3,086 square kilometres on the border between Poland and Belarus) standing as one of the last remaining examples of large, relatively untouched forest ecosystems.

Natural woodlands typically contain at least 25% deadwood, essential for ecological diversity. However, in the UK, aside from remnants of the ancient Caledonian pine forests, there are virtually no truly wild woodlands left.

Białowieża National Park

The Purpose and Management of Woodlands

Woodlands serve numerous purposes including:

• Ecological and biodiversity conservation

• Recreation and public enjoyment

• Cultural and heritage preservation

• Carbon capture and climate regulation

Local Authorities often engage in modest woodland establishment and management projects. In these smaller woodlands, objectives usually prioritise recreation, ecological benefits, and sometimes heritage value.

Rewilding initiatives are increasingly popular, with projects like the Glenfeshie Estate in the Cairngorms National Park focusing on restoring native pine woodlands.

Woodland Establishment Techniques

Effective woodland creation involves:

• Surveying existing species in the area to ensure compatibility and resilience.

• Remembering there are only 33 truly native tree species in the UK, including Scots pine, yew, and juniper.

• Clearing areas of 10–15 meters in diameter to encourage natural regeneration.

• Designing planting schemes that reflect natural species proportions and the natural landscape, especially near water bodies.

• Avoiding rigid, straight planting lines (used in commercial forestry) in favour of more informal, organic alignments where possible.

Rewilding: A Phased Approach

Rewilding can be undertaken on various scales, from large estates to community parks. It typically involves a series of phases, including:

• Removal of invasive species

• Natural regeneration

• Enrichment planting

• Long-term management of species mix

Natural regeneration demands careful oversight, as desirable species might not always colonise an area sufficiently without intervention.

Twelve phases for Rewilding Guide:

1. Don’t do anything until you have a plan

2. Learn all you can about the site - status

3. Seek advice – expert – local – internet

4. Take stock of the locality – vegetation – water courses – topography – features

5. Formulate a plan – actions – contacts – resources – ‘labour’ – timescale

6. Be aware of the ways in which nature ‘works'

7. pply natural methods and courses of action

8. Careful species choice – soil – location – wildlife encouragement/compatibility

9. Be positive and seek to turn difficulties and the unexpected to your advantage

10. Keep good records – events – contacts – growth – successes – failures

11. Collaboration – mutual benefit of others’ experience

12. Communication – keep everyone informed – keep yourself informed –

encourage local interest and support – if the project is large enough offer the

area as a teaching resource for local schools (especially primary if reasonably

close, and ecology projects for secondary) – liase with local wildlife groups with so few native tree species it is tempting to latch on to a generic mix and

to cram in as many as possible, but don’t. Each and every situation should

have and deserves specific consideration, including lower flora.

Post-Planting Maintenance

It’s worth noting that post-planting establishment maintenance can cost up to three times the initial planting expenses. Key tasks include:

• Loss replacement

• Weed control

• Protection from animals

• Irrigation and aeration

The woodland margins are often the most diverse ecological zones, making their management crucial. Features like ride edges and graded woodland edge profiles help enhance habitat variety.

Weed Control

Weeds compete with young trees for water, nutrients, and light. On small sites, it’s worth mulching bare soil after clearing vegetation at planting. While chemical use is often avoided, glyphosate remains a reliable last resort for tough species like Japanese knotweed, where physical removal is costly and chemical treatment can take years.

Tree Shelters

Tree shelters protect young trees from browsing animals and the elements, but they need attention:

• Keep shelters upright and weed-free inside.

• Most modern shelters split open as the tree grows, but it’s usually best to remove them when the stem nearly fills the tube to avoid damage.

• Shelters often slot inside one another for transport, with the smallest diameter determining removal time.

Arboriculture in Landscape Architecture

In landscape design and urban planning, trees are often seen as solar-powered fountains—capturing sunlight and cycling water and nutrients through ecosystems.

When selecting and planting trees, the guiding principle is ‘the right tree in the right place’, ensuring compatibility with site conditions, use, and long-term viability. Resources like The Tree Design Action Group (TDAG) and BS 5837: 2012 (Trees in relation to design, demolition and construction) are invaluable references.

Key arboricultural considerations include:

• Tree protection during construction (for crown, stem, and roots)

• Root Protection Areas (RPAs)

• Awareness of the symbiotic relationship between tree roots and fungi

• Planning site layouts for adequate daylight and reduced shade impact

Dr. Giles Biddle has extensively documented the importance of tree root systems and their management in urban environments.

Conclusion

Whether managing a centuries-old woodland or planting new saplings in a park, effective arboriculture and woodland management are about balancing ecology, heritage, and human needs. With climate change and biodiversity loss increasingly pressing, restoring, creating, and sensitively managing woodlands is more important than ever.

For professionals and enthusiasts alike, embracing both traditional knowledge and modern practices ensures that the landscapes we nurture today will thrive for generations to come.