We performed a woodland survey of Rowdown Woods as the first stage of creating a management plan for the woods.
We also decided which direction to extend the coppiced area at the bottom of Rowdown wood.Coppicing review in Rowdown Wood
We began by assessing the area at the bottom of Rowdown Wood that had been coppiced in October of last year. The hazel stools showed some strong healthy regrowth, however there are not enough Hazel Stools in the area so some planting is required. A Sweet Chestnut in the area also had some regrowth. We also noticed that the area is becoming overrun with brambles.
Rowdown Woods is made up of four areas of woodland that used to be owned by different people and so have been managed in different ways. This has led to four distinct areas of woodland with different species in them.
Castle Hill Range
At the bottom part of the wood adjacent to the field is an area once known as Castle Hill Range Wood. This part of the wood is predominantly Hazel, which has previosuly been coppiced, and standard Oak Trees.
Rough Down Wood
Further up the path is an area once known as Rough Down Wood. Here there is mainly Sweet Chestnut and Oak standards. The Sweet Chesnut has previously been coppiced but has now reached canopy height.
Mays Bran Platt
Another small section of the wood used to be know as Mays Bran Platt.
Secondary Woodland
A further section of the wood was previosuly a field. As this section of woodland is less than a hundred years old it is what is know as secondary woodland. This is the area near Kestral Way.