by oldclaypaws » Wed Aug 26, 2015 4:07 pm
On larger woods, Phil (Boxerman) is correct, and I'm sure he will be doing that when he eventually gets a wood himself. He's currently going on theory rather than experience, but has apparently paid close attention to what's been said before, Lol.
As the wood has a holiday let in it I'd say the first priority is the safety and amenity for the visitors. If there are steep hazardous parts where someone could slip and injure themselves you might want to fence them off and leave it as 'jungle'. I trust you'll be having liability insurance, Gary at Beechtree Insurance can offer you a competative package. If their are any larger dead or diseased trees you'll want to get them made safe and felled so they don't squash your visitors or come down on the barn. Fill in any holes and cover or remove any shallow roots people could trip over. Overhanging brambles can also be a hazard and scratch, so I'd keep on top of them. Clear them from along your paths. Have info available on the hazards of ticks and how to remove them. Familiarise yourself with Lyme's disease and its symptoms. I don't want to give the impression that woods are especially dangerous but there are also quite a few potentially toxic plants and fungi in woods, so I'd advise visitors with young kids to make sure they are firmly told not to eat anything. I'm thinking particularly of deadly nightshade, which is common, has pretty green or black berries and is very dangerous (we've got loads of it and it looks a bit like blackcurrants).
Its a small area so should be easy to maintain. Yes, by all means 'tidy'. Get a small chainsaw (or good handsaw as you have a small area) and take off any fallen or dead low branches to allow easier access. Heap the debris in small heaps as deadwood is good for bugs and the ecology. A brushcutter will be useful to maintain paths. A small cleared area for the guests with a firepit and benches would be pleasant for them, we all enjoy that.
Do your work from now through the winter, avoid disturbing it during the spring and summer when any birds are nesting. It would be nice to put up some bird feeders and nesting boxes.
It might be an idea to befriend an experienced local woodland owner, wildlife person or call in a local tree surgeon to give you advise on the overall state of your little patch and tell you what you've got and what work might need doing. There are some species such as Rhododendron which are invasive and considered undesirable which you'll want to clear if you have them. Once you know, it might be nice to make little labels identifying some of the trees and plants for the guests, or keep a book with illustrations of the various birds, insects, flowers and trees at different times of year naming them so they can appreciate the ecology. I'd also equip the barn with a pair of binoculars (not top end ones) so guests can watch the birds, squirrels, etc.
